"Vertical video is no longer an experiment. With the 'Shorts Fund' dead and the new 'Pooled Revenue' model in full swing, short-form content is now a viable career path—if you understand the math."
In 2025, the question is no longer "Should I make Shorts?" but "How do I actually get paid for them?" The days of random "Shorts Fund" bonuses are over. Today, Shorts are fully integrated into the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), but the rules are drastically different from long-form content.
If you are confused about the "10 Million Views" requirement or why your RPM is stuck at $0.04, you are not alone. This guide breaks down the complex revenue sharing model, the new entry requirements, and the "Hybrid Strategy" that top creators are using to double their income.
2025 Snapshot: The Rules Have Changed
You can now enter the Partner Program early with just 500 Subscribers, but this only unlocks "Fan Funding" (tips). To get ad revenue, you still need the full 1,000 Subscribers + 10M Shorts Views.
1. The New Requirements (2025)
YouTube now operates a "Two-Tier" system. This is critical to understand because many creators celebrate getting "monetized" at 500 subs, only to realize they still aren't earning ad revenue.
| Feature | Tier 1: "Fan Funding" | Tier 2: "Ad Revenue" |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers Needed | 500 Subscribers | 1,000 Subscribers |
| Shorts Views (90 Days) | 3 Million Views | 10 Million Views |
| What You Earn | Super Thanks, Memberships, Shopping | Ads (Revenue Share) + All Tier 1 Features |
Important Note: The view counts must be "Valid Public Views." Views from stories, unlisted videos, or ad campaigns do not count toward these thresholds. You must hit the view count within a rolling 90-day window.
2. How the Money Works (The "Pooled" Model)
This is where most creators get confused. Unlike long-form videos where an ad plays on your video, Shorts ads play between videos in the feed. Because of this, YouTube cannot attribute a specific ad to a specific video.
Instead, they use a Creator Pool model. Here is the step-by-step flow of your money in 2025:
- Collection: YouTube collects all ad revenue from the Shorts Feed in your country (e.g., USA).
- Music Licensing (The Tax): Before anyone gets paid, YouTube subtracts the cost of music licensing. If you use popular songs (e.g., Taylor Swift), a portion of the revenue is removed from the pool to pay the record labels.
- The Pool: The remaining money goes into the "Creator Pool."
- Allocation: If your videos received 1% of the total views in that country, you are allocated 1% of the pool.
- The Split: Finally, you keep 45% of that allocation (YouTube keeps 55%).
While YouTube says using licensed music "doesn't hurt your specific payout," it does reduce the overall size of the Creator Pool. Using the YouTube Audio Library or royalty-free tracks ensures the maximum amount of money remains available for creators.
3. The Reality of Shorts RPM ($0.01 - $0.06)
Let's be brutally honest: You need massive volume to get rich off Shorts ads alone. Because the ad inventory is infinite and skippable, advertisers pay less.
In 2025, the average RPM (Revenue Per Mille, or per 1,000 views) for Shorts hovers between $0.01 and $0.06. Compare this to long-form finance videos which can earn $20.00+ RPM.
Does this mean Shorts are a waste of time? Absolutely not. It just means ads shouldn't be your only revenue stream.
4. The "Hybrid" Funnel Strategy
The smartest creators in 2025 use the Hybrid Model. They treat Shorts as "Marketing" and Long-Form as "Product."
- Shorts: High virality, low RPM. Use these to capture attention and gain subscribers aggressively.
- Long-Form: Lower virality, High RPM. Use the "Related Video" link in your Shorts to funnel viewers to a 10-minute deep dive.
By linking a viral Short (1M views) to a long-form video (even a 1% click-through rate = 10,000 views), you can turn a $40 payday into a $200+ payday instantly.
5. Monetizing Without Ads (Affiliate & UGC)
If you haven't hit 10 million views yet, you can still make money. However, YouTube has made affiliate marketing harder by removing clickable links in Shorts descriptions.
The "No-Link" Workarounds:
- Pinned Comment: While sometimes hidden, pinned comments are still the best place for links.
- Community Post Bridge: Create a Short that says "Link in my Community Post," then post the clickable affiliate link on your Community tab.
- Link in Bio: Use tools like Linktree in your channel header. Direct viewers to "Check the link in my channel bio."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do deleted videos count toward the 10M requirement?
No. Only public, visible videos count. If you delete a video or make it private, those views are removed from your monetization eligibility count.
Can I repost TikToks to YouTube Shorts?
Technically yes, but if they have the TikTok watermark, YouTube will suppress them. They will not be eligible for the Creator Pool revenue. Always upload the raw, watermark-free file.
Does the 10 Million views expire?
Yes. The threshold is a "rolling 90-day window." This means today's view count includes only the views gained in the last 90 days. Views from 91 days ago drop off your total.
Conclusion
Monetizing YouTube Shorts in 2025 is a volume game for ad revenue, but a strategic game for brand building. Don't rely solely on the Creator Pool checks. Use Shorts to build an audience, then monetize that audience through long-form content, digital products, and brand deals.