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You want to kickstart your YouTube channel but are confused about which kind of content to generate? The content creation pool is wide, and everyone’s trying to master the art and monetize it. 

Some creators are generating content through vlogs whereas others are experimenting with Instagram marketing trends. This rise in the content creator industry is also reshaping how brands connect with their target audience. For instance, influencer marketing is thriving these days. In fact, according to the global 2024 survey conducted by Statista, 37.6% of the brands collaborate with up to 10 influencers and 14.7% of brands join hands with thousands of influencer marketing. 

But as the attention span of many viewers is dropping, the most successful content trending today’s time is YouTube Shorts. They are simple, sweet and of course, short. Keeping this in mind, many influencers and vloggers are switching to this content creation format. But how to make money on YouTube and how much do YouTube Shorts make? This blog will answer all your questions. 

YouTube Partner Program requirements 

To start earning money through YouTube, the first thing to do is be a part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This program allows you to monetize your content through ads, memberships and more. But before you can apply, YouTube Shorts have some eligibility requirements you must meet: 

1,000 subscribers 

One of the first milestones you’ll need to hit is 1,000 subscribers. This shows YouTube that your channel has a consistent audience that is liking your content. It’s not just about getting people to click on your videos. You have to create a loyal following that keeps coming back for more. 

4,000 watch hours 

In addition to having 1,000 subscribers, you’ll also need 4,000 watch hours over 12 months. This means the audience must watch your video content for a total of 4,000 hours. Focus on creating engaging, high-quality videos that keep people watching and re-watching to reach this milestone. 

Now that you have a fair understanding of the YouTube Partner Program, let’s get into the monetization part. 

How to start earning from YouTube Shorts? 

YouTube Shorts

According to the research by Statista, YouTube gained 2,504 Million active users by April 2024. This made it the 2nd largest social media platform in the world. This clearly indicated that YouTube Shorts creators have a lot of scope to monetize their content. Whether starting out or already having a following, short form videos can garner a huge income. 

Here are some of the ways you can start minting money. 

Shorts Fund 

Are you creating exciting content but haven’t reached the 1 Million milestone yet? Fret not! YouTube has heard you and brought the Shorts Fund. 

What exactly is YouTube Shorts Fund

It is a pool of money YouTube has set aside to reward creators for making engaging video content. The best part? You don’t need to be part of the YouTube Partner Program to qualify. Every month, YouTube chooses channels from its creator pool and rewards them with a share of the fund. 

Remember, it selects high-quality and authentic content only! 

Ad revenue 

Once you’re eligible for the YouTube Partner Program, you can generate ad revenue from your Shorts. YouTube has started allowing ads to appear on the content. It enables creators to earn money based on views on YouTube Shorts. This is a more stable way for YouTube creators to earn income. 

Partnership earnings 

Another way to monetize your content is through partnerships with brands. Once your Shorts start gaining traction, brands might reach out for sponsored content opportunities. You can also apply to influencer marketing platforms that connect creators with brands. 

How to monetize YouTube Shorts without 1,000 subscribers? 

While YouTube’s usual monetization rules require 1,000 subscribers, you can still start earning from your Shorts by using features like “Super Thanks” and exploring external revenue methods. Learning how to monetize Shorts effectively includes using strategies like brand collaborations or merchandise sales. Such methods can support creators in building a website to sell exclusive content or merchandise, making it easier to diversify income streams. 

Here is how you can earn: 

Collect Super Thanks 

Super Thanks

Super Thanks is a way for your viewers to support you directly through one-time donations. This feature allows your audience to send money to you while they watch your short videos. 

  • Eligibility: You can access Super Thanks if you’re over 18 and live in a region where it’s available. 
  • How it works: Viewers can click on the Super Thanks button under your short videos and contribute a particular amount. They can also leave a custom message, which can help increase engagement. 
  • Example: Imagine you’re a fitness creator on YouTube Shorts. You post a 60-second video showing a quick morning workout routine. The video gains traction, getting thousands of views and comments. Among your audience, some viewers find the routine especially helpful and want to show their appreciation. 

One viewer named Sarah watches your video and clicks on the Super Thanks button below it. She donates $5 and writes a custom message: 

“Thank you for this! I’ve been struggling to find a quick routine, and this fits perfectly into my busy mornings.” 

This is how you can start earning before touching a set number of subscribers. 

Jump your earnings with Super Chats and Stickers 

Super Chats

Although typically available during live streams, Super Chats and Super Stickers can be used to generate Shorts revenue in live interactions. 

  • Eligibility: You need at least 1,000 subscribers to unlock Super Chats and Stickers during live streaming. 
  • How it works: When you’re streaming live, viewers can purchase Super Chats or Stickers to highlight their messages or show support. Super Chats allow viewers to pay to pin their messages, while Stickers are animated visuals that can be sent during live chats. 
  • Example: During your live stream, a viewer named John purchases a $10 Super Chat to pin his question about your gameplay strategy. His message gets highlighted at the top of the chat: 

“Hey, big fan! Can you explain your strategy on the final boss fight?” 

Meanwhile, Emily buys a $2 Super Sticker to show her support. The animated heart sticker appears in the chat, adding to the stream’s excitement. 

Release exclusive content for channel memberships 

Channel membership

Do you want to give access to exclusive content in exchange for a monthly fee? You can offer channel memberships to your audience.  

  • Eligibility: You need to have at least 1,000 subscribers to enable channel membership. 
  • How it works: Members pay a recurring fee and in return, they get perks such as badges, emojis and members-only content. You can also provide exclusive live streams or behind-the-scenes footage for members to boost engagement. 
  • Example: Imagine you run a gaming channel with over 1,000 subscribers. You offer a membership plan where fans pay $4.99/month. In return, they get exclusive perks like custom badges and emojis to use in live chats, members-only gaming tutorials and behind-the-scenes streams. You also host monthly live Q&A sessions just for members, keeping them engaged and excited to stay subscribed. This not only increases engagement but creates a steady revenue stream. 

Additional revenue options 

While you wait to reach the 1,000-subscriber milestone, there are other ways in which you can earn with YouTube Shorts: 

  • Ad revenue: YouTube’s Partner Program requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. Once eligible, your short videos will be monetized with ads. 
  • Brand sponsorships: Even without 1,000 subscribers, if you create compelling content and attract a niche audience. Brands and even music partners may want to collaborate with you directly. 

Monetizing YouTube Shorts with 500k+ followers 

YouTube Shorts content is a great way of earning money as its audience is increasing day by day. Once you start crossing milestones like reaching 500,000 followers, money will start pouring in. While YouTube Shorts doesn’t offer direct monetization like longer-form videos, there are several ways to capitalize on your large following. 

Did you know? As noted by Statista, the most popular YouTube channel as of 2025, Mr. Beast has 335M subscribers

Mr. Beast

This is what an effective marketing strategy can do for you. 

Here’s how you can also monetize your YouTube Shorts with 500k+ followers: 

YouTube Partner Program 

The most straightforward way to start monetizing is by joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). To qualify, you need to meet certain criteria: 

  • 1,000 subscribers (you’re already well past this with 500k+ followers). 
  • 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months (for regular YouTube videos) or 10 Million Shorts views in the last 90 days. 

Brand partnerships and sponsored content 

Brands are always on the lookout for a content creator that has a strong following and engagement. At 500k+ followers, you’re more likely to attract sponsorship deals from brands that want to reach your audience. Sponsored content can take many forms, including: 

  • Product placements 
  • Sponsored challenges 
  • Brand collaborations 

Affiliate marketing 

Affiliate marketing involves promoting a product and earning a commission on sales made through your unique affiliate link. You can seamlessly incorporate affiliate links into your YouTube Shorts, especially if you’re showcasing products that are relevant to your audience. Building an affiliate marketing website on WordPress is quick and hassle-free. 

Merchandise sales 

Offering your merchandise for sale is another creative way of earning money. If you have a strong brand identity, your followers may be interested in buying t-shirts, hats, mugs or other products. Platforms like Teespring, Spreadshirt and Printful make it easy to create and sell merch with no upfront costs. 

Crowd funding and memberships 

Have you ever wondered what is crowd funding? For creators with several YouTube premium subscribers, platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi are great ways to monetize. You can offer exclusive content, behind-the-scenes footage or early access to your Shorts. 

Now that you are clear on how to start making money through YouTube Shorts, let’s understand how much you can exactly earn. 

How much do YouTube Shorts make: Monetization explained 

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts ad revenue differs from traditional YouTube videos. Here’s a breakdown of how monetization works for Shorts: 

YouTube Shorts Fund: YouTube pays to reward creators for their popular Shorts. It doesn’t require you to be part of the YPP. Instead, YouTube evaluates your Shorts’ performance (engagement, views, etc.) and creators with top-performing content can receive payouts. The fund is not guaranteed, and the exact payment can vary. But creators have reported earnings ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, solely based on views and engagement. 

Ad revenue (via YPP): With YouTube’s shift to including Shorts in the monetized ad pool, creators who are part of the YouTube Partner Program can earn advertising revenue from their Shorts. However, ad revenue for Shorts is still different from regular YouTube videos. Ads are shown in between Shorts and not directly on the videos, and creators get a portion of the revenue generated. But it is often much smaller due to the ad format. 

Super Thanks, Super Chats and channel memberships: You are monetized and using live streams or creating regular content. Now you can also earn through fan engagement tools like Super Thanks (for Shorts videos) and Super Chats (during live streams). These monetization methods are famously known as “fan funding”. 

Brand deals: If your videos gain significant traction, brands may reach out for sponsored content or collaborations. They offer direct payments in exchange for promoting their products or services. 

Case studies explained 

Sarah’s Cooking Channel 

Sarah runs a popular cooking YouTube channel where she shares quick recipes, cooking hacks and tips. With over 500,000 subscribers, Sarah’s revenue primarily comes from: 

  • Ad revenue: YouTube ads are her primary income source, and her CPM (cost per thousand views) is around $4.50. 
  • Sponsored content: Brands in the food industry often sponsor Sarah’s videos. She charges $3,000 per sponsored video, doing two per month, adding an additional $6,000 monthly income. 

James or Streamking 

James streams popular video games like “Fortnite” and “League of Legends” on Twitch. He has a consistent audience of 10,000 viewers. His earnings are generated from: 

  • Subscriptions: Twitch offers three subscription tiers ($4.99, $9.99, $24.99), with streamers receiving 50-70% of the subscription fee. 
  • Donations: James also gets donations from his audience through platforms like PayPal and Streamlabs, averaging $500 per month. 
  • Bits: Viewers can send “Bits” as a form of currency, and James earns an average of $300 in Bits monthly. 

Data driven insights 

  • Ad revenue (AdSense): The revenue generated for most creators is through ads placed on their videos via AdSense. The standard pay rate is about $2 to $5 per 1,000 views (CPM—Cost Per Mille). 
  • Merchandise sales: Many creators also sell merchandise through platforms like Teespring, Spreadshop or YouTube’s integrated Merch Shelf. Earnings here vary significantly, with top-tier creators earning $5,000+ per month in merchandise sales.

Earnings based on views and subscribers 

  • A creator with 1 Million subscribers could earn anywhere from $2,000 to $40,000 per month in YouTube ad revenue. 
  • For 1 Million views per month, ad revenue could range from $2,000 to $10,000. Again, this fluctuates based on CPM rates and engagement. 
  • Channels that focus on evergreen content (content that remains relevant over time) tend to earn consistently. Trending or viral videos may experience one-time boosts. 

Engagement and subscriber growth 

  • Higher engagement: Creators with high engagement rates (comments, likes, shares, etc.) generally see higher CPM rates. Advertisers are willing to pay more to target an active audience. 
  • Subscriber to view ratio: YouTube’s algorithm rewards creators who have a strong subscriber-to-view ratio. Channels with 100,000+ subscribers often see a higher likelihood of viral content or recommendations, translating into more views and, ultimately, higher earnings. 
  • Niche content: Channels that focus on niches like tech, finance or education often have higher CPMs (e.g., $10 to $30 per 1,000 views). Entertainment or lifestyle channels may earn closer to $1 to $5 per 1,000 views. 

Average earnings breakdown for different sized creators 

  • Small creators (1,000 to 10,000 subscribers): Ad revenue might range from $20 to $500/month, depending on views and engagement. 
  • Mid-tier creators (10,000 to 100,000 subscribers): Earnings could range from $500 to $5,000/month. 
  • Top-tier creators (100,000+ subscribers): These creators often earn $5,000 to $50,000/month.

Other ways to make money with YouTube Shorts 

YouTube Shorts Video

Have you already begun exploring YouTube Shorts? Then you know how engaging and fun these bite-sized videos can be. Shorts grab more attention than long form YouTube videos due to the lack of attention span in today’s viewers. That’s why they are a great source of earning money and building a career. 

But beyond the views and ad revenue, how much do YouTube Shorts make through other methods? Let’s dive into some other effective strategies to monetize YouTube Shorts. 

Affiliate marketing and product promotions through Shorts 

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to generate Shorts revenue. By including affiliate links in your video description or even mentioning them within the video, you can earn commissions on products or services you promote. This works well if you’re reviewing gadgets, software or even physical goods. 

Selling merchandise and collaborating with other creators 

Another great way for YouTube Shorts monetization is by selling your own merchandise. YouTube has made it easier for creators to showcase and sell their branded merchandise directly through their channel. 

Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution for YouTube creators: Comparing platforms 

Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution

When it comes to growing a YouTube channel, having a strong online presence is crucial. Platforms like Teespring or Patreon let creators monetize audiences via merchandise or exclusive memberships. However, Bluehost offers a more comprehensive solution. Our WooCommerce plugin allows you to turn your personal website into an Ecommerce store. You can sell branded merchandise like T-shirts, mugs or even digital products like eBooks and courses directly from your website. This eliminates the need to rely solely on platforms like Teespring, giving you full control over your branding, pricing and profit margins. 

Bluehost tools vs other monetization platforms 

Feature Bluehost Teespring Patreon 
Merchandise sales WooCommerce for customizable e-stores Limited templates for merch Not supported 
Membership subscriptions YITH Membership & Subscriptions Not supported Core feature 
Content management Full website customization with WordPress Limited to merch storefront Limited content distribution 
Revenue diversification Ads, merch, subscriptions, eBooks, courses Merch sales only Subscription-based 
SEO tools Built-in WordPress SEO with Yoast No SEO tools No SEO tools 
Branding & customization Fully customizable, own branding Predefined templates Minimal branding options 
Cross-platform integration Seamless YouTube and social media integration Limited integrations Some integrations available 

This is where Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution proves its advantage. This service offers you the tools to build a professional website, manage their online presence seamlessly and leverage powerful features that drive growth and success in their career. Whether it’s showcasing your videos, offering exclusive content, or monetizing through ads or merchandise, Bluehost simplifies success for content creators in following ways: 

1. Easy integration with YouTube 

One of the key features of WordPress is its ability to integrate smoothly with YouTube. Bluehost provides scalable WordPress hosting plans through which you can embed your YouTube videos directly onto your website. This allows visitors to access your videos without leaving your site. Plus, you can organize your content into playlists, showcase your best videos and add a personal touch to the video viewing experience. Do all this while driving traffic to both your website and YouTube channel. 

2. Reliable performance for high-traffic websites 

As your YouTube channel grows, so does the traffic to your website. This helps in building an online community of viewers and subscribers. Bluehost offers the best web hosting solutions for online communities that can accommodate high levels of website traffic. Our WordPress plans come with optimized speed and performance, ensuring that your site remains fast even as more visitors flock to watch your videos. With features like free Content Delivery Network (CDN) integration, your videos load faster. 

3. Easy content management with WordPress 

You don’t have to be a tech expert to manage your website when you use WordPress with Bluehost. The one-click installation makes it easy to get started. Once you’re up and running, you can easily manage blog posts, image galleries and other content that complements your YouTube videos. Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution can help you manage content and do much more. 

4. SEO tools to boost video discoverability 

Getting discovered on YouTube is just part of the battle. To maximize your content’s reach, your website needs to be discoverable too. Bluehost’s WordPress hosting comes with a variety of built-in SEO tools, including integration with Yoast SEO. This helps you optimize your site’s content. It also ensures your site is search-engine friendly, making it easier for users to find your videos through Google searches. 

Also Read: Yoast SEO Free vs Yoast SEO Premium: Which One is Right for You? 

Additionally, you can use your website to link back to your YouTube channel and individual videos, creating a valuable cross-platform connection that can drive traffic to your YouTube page. 

5. Monetize your content beyond YouTube 

While YouTube offers ways to monetize content through ads, having your own website opens additional revenue streams. With WordPress on Bluehost, you can set up an online store, create a membership site or even offer digital products like eBooks, courses and merchandise. This allows you to diversify your income and create a more sustainable business model around your YouTube content. 

Final thoughts

YouTube Shorts is garnering an unstoppable fan following. If you are content creator in the race of becoming the top YouTuber and minting money from it, your best bet is bringing exciting short-form videos. As today’s audience’s attention span is less than 30 seconds, it will be a great way to keep them hooked to your channel. 

Bluehost, a trusted WordPress hosting platform makes it easy for content creators to monetize from YouTube Shorts. Our platform connects you with ready-to-use plugins to grow and achieve a Million views. Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution involves easy YouTube integration and boost in the engagement rate. It provides a comprehensive set of customized tools like WonderHelp, and plugins like YITH Membership, YITH Subscriptions and Easy Login to suit your requirements. 

Ready to diversify your income streams and grow your YouTube Shorts success? Visit Bluehost today to explore tailored solutions for YouTube creators.

FAQs

How much does YouTube pay for Shorts views?

YouTube pays between $0.01 and $0.03 per 1,000 views for Shorts in the YouTube Partner Program. The actual revenue depends on factors like audience geography, engagement and niche. Exploring monetization methods like brand sponsorships and the YouTube Shorts Fund can boost earnings beyond ad revenue.

How much do YouTube Shorts make for 1 Million views?

The earnings for YouTube Shorts with 1 Million views can vary significantly depending on factors like the audience’s location, engagement and monetization methods available to the creator.

How can I earn money from YouTube Shorts in 2025?

YouTube launched the YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100 Million fund to reward creators for their popular Shorts. YouTube may continue to offer similar bonuses in 2025 or may have a revised system. While these are typically one-time payouts, they’re a great way to earn money directly from YouTube.

Can I earn money from YouTube Shorts without 1,000 subscribers?

Yes, you can monetize YouTube Shorts without reaching 1,000 subscribers. YouTube features like the Shorts Fund and “Super Thanks” allow you to earn based on content quality and audience support. Additionally, platforms like Bluehost enable you to sell merchandise or subscriptions directly from your websites, diversifying income streams.

What are the best ways to monetize YouTube Shorts?

Here are the top strategies to monetize YouTube Shorts: 
Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP): Earn ad revenue by meeting the eligibility criteria. 
Use the Shorts Fund: Earn rewards from YouTube for high-performing Shorts. 
Super Thanks & Super Chats: Let viewers support your content through donations or live chats. 
Sell merchandise: Use WooCommerce to sell custom products. 
Affiliate marketing: Promote products with affiliate links and earn commissions. 
Crowdfunding & memberships: Platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi let fans support creators with recurring payments.

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