YouTube
YouTube Shorts monetization: how it works in 2026 and what changes in 2027
How YouTube pays for Shorts
Shorts are not paid per view in the way long videos with their own ads are. YouTube's Shorts monetization policy explains that ads shown between Shorts in the Shorts feed are pooled each month, by country. Part of that pool is set aside to cover music licensing for Shorts that use music; the rest becomes the Creator Pool.
The Creator Pool is shared between monetizing creators according to each creator's share of engaged views in that country. You keep 45% of the revenue allocated to you, whether or not your Shorts used music. YouTube Premium and Premium Lite subscriptions add a second pool: creators get a 45% share for Shorts watched by subscribers (55% for long-form videos), according to YouTube's 10 August 2026 announcement.
Requirements today (until 31 January 2027)
To earn a share of Shorts ad revenue, a channel must be in the YouTube Partner Program with ads and Premium revenue sharing, and accept the Shorts Monetization Module in YouTube Studio.
- 1,000 subscribers.
- Either 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days, or 4,000 valid public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 12 months.
- Live in a country where the Partner Program is available, follow the monetization policies, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, turn on 2-Step Verification, and link an AdSense account.
- A lower tier, 500 subscribers and 3 public uploads in the last 90 days plus 3 million Shorts views in 90 days (or 3,000 watch hours in 12 months), unlocks fan funding and shopping features but not Shorts ad revenue.
What changes on 1 February 2027
YouTube announced the biggest Partner Program changes since 2018 on 10 August 2026. They take effect on 1 February 2027, and channels already in the program must accept the new terms in YouTube Studio by 31 January 2027 to keep earning.
- New channels joining for ads and Premium revenue need 1,000 subscribers plus 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days, or 8,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days.
- Shorts revenue sharing needs 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days, for every channel. Below that, the channel stays in the program and keeps long-form earnings, and Shorts sharing restarts automatically when it is back above 10 million.
- YouTube said it will add incentive programs for channels below the threshold, such as bonuses for YouTube Shopping, brand-deal incentives, and boosts for starting trends, with details to come.
- A channel must also stay active: 1,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days, 1 million Shorts views in 90 days, or two long-form or five Shorts uploads every 90 days.
- The fan-funding and shopping entry tier does not change.
Ways to earn from Shorts below the thresholds
Most new channels will not reach 10 or 20 million Shorts views quickly. These routes do not depend on the Shorts revenue pool:
- Use Shorts to grow subscribers for long-form videos, which still earn with 4,000 watch hours (8,000 for new channels from February 2027).
- Fan funding from 500 subscribers: channel memberships, Super Thanks, and Super Chat on live streams, where available.
- YouTube Shopping: tag products you sell or affiliate products where the program is offered.
- Brand deals and your own products or services, promoted in Shorts with the paid-promotion disclosure turned on.
What makes Shorts count as qualified and original
YouTube does not pay for reused or mass-produced content. Compilations of other people's clips, re-uploads, and repetitive AI-generated videos are the usual reasons Shorts channels are refused or demonetized. Original footage, your own voice and commentary, and real editing are what the policies reward.
Views from artificial traffic, such as bought views or click farms, are not valid views and can lead to the channel being removed. Grow by posting regularly, opening with the subject in the first second, and checking retention in YouTube Studio's analytics.
Sources and further reading
Tools mentioned
YouTube Studio, YouTube Shorts, CapCut. Features and availability can change; check each provider's official information before choosing a tool.
Frequently asked questions
How much does YouTube pay for 1,000 Shorts views?
There is no fixed rate. Shorts revenue is pooled by country and shared by engaged views, and creators keep 45% of their allocation, so earnings per 1,000 views vary by country, month, and audience.
How many views do you need to monetize YouTube Shorts?
Until 31 January 2027, 10 million valid public Shorts views in 90 days plus 1,000 subscribers to join through Shorts. From 1 February 2027, new channels need 20 million, and every channel needs 10 million views in 90 days to receive Shorts revenue.
Do Shorts views count toward the 4,000 watch hours?
No. Watch time from the Shorts feed does not count toward the long-form watch-hour requirement. Shorts views have their own route into the program.
Can I monetize Shorts with music?
Yes. YouTube sets aside part of the revenue for music licensing based on how many tracks a Short uses, but your 45% share of what is allocated to you is the same.
Will my channel be removed if I drop below 10 million Shorts views?
No. From 1 February 2027, dropping below 10 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days pauses Shorts revenue only. The channel stays in the Partner Program and keeps long-form earnings.