Creating content for YouTube has been a viable career for over a decade, and yet there’s still so much to learn about the platform and how to maximise your earning potential. 

Not only is YouTube the home of long-form content, but it has also become a hive for short videos. YouTube Shorts gives creators the opportunity to monetise short-form content and can work well in partnership with a growing channel.

The idea of making video content from home, either as your main job or as a side hustle, is certainly tempting. Especially as many successful YouTube Creators are making millions from channels they started in their bedrooms. 

That being said, making money on YouTube is not easy. As with any content creation, you are at the mercy of the platform. From navigating the algorithm to understanding copyright laws and making ad revenue, there are a lot of factors at play when it comes to earning from your YouTube Shorts. 

So, whether you are already an established content creator, or you are considering dipping your toe into the world of YouTube Shorts, in this guide, we’ll help you navigate the ins and outs of monetising the platform and what this means for you as a UK taxpayer.

Monetising YouTube shorts

YouTube Shorts is a subsection of the video platform that focuses specifically on short-form content - up to 60 seconds long - displayed in portrait (mobile-first) dimensions. 

YouTube launched Shorts in 2019, and in 2023 the platform rolled out revenue-sharing opportunities for creators through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

To qualify for the YPP, creators must have:

• 1,000 subscribers and 10m YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days; or
• 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 12 months.

The content you post on YouTube Shorts must be your own original work, and not stolen from another creator or media outlet elsewhere. You can use content from other creators as long as you put a different spin on it– the platform offers a “Remix” tool for this exact purpose.

The revenue model for YouTube Shorts is different from YouTube’s standard monetisation, as with the latter creators can earn from the positioning of multiple ads within longer form content, as well as by hitting a certain number of views. Since not all Shorts videos will be topped and/or tailed with ads, the platform has developed a way to ensure all Shorts creators receive a cut of revenue, regardless of the ad positioning.

YouTube Shorts revenue is calculated in the following way:

1. Ad revenue from the promotions shown between Shorts is pooled and split across the Creator Pool and Music Partners.
2. Monetising creators are then paid from the Creator Pool based on total Shorts views.
3. Creators receive 45% of their allocation from the Creator Pool 
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Policy requirements to earn from YouTube Shorts

Not only do you have to hit the view and subscriber count to enable YouTube, but you also have to adhere to the platform’s various policy requirements. 

To earn money for your content from YouTube Shorts, you must adhere to:

YouTube’s Originality Policy

The platform has strict guidelines on repetition and reused content, the details of which you can find on the program guides. 

YouTube Community Guidelines

A detailed network of guidelines that applies to all YouTube content, including Shorts, covering the likes of fake engagement, spam, child safety, adult content and harassment. Read the full Community Guidelines here.

Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines

All earning members of the YouTube Partner Program are beholden to these guidelines, which cover several both evergreen and topical issues to ensure video content aligns with advertisers’ intentions. Read the advertiser-friendly content guidelines here. 

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What types of YouTube Shorts are ineligible for monetisation?

If you meet the viewership requirements, your content will not automatically start earning unless you also adhere to the above policy guidelines. Examples of Shorts that are ineligible for monetisation include:

• Shorts stolen from other creators, films or TV shorts with no “meaningful difference” such as commentary.
• Shorts with fake views or clicks.
• Shorts with offensive content in breach of YouTube’s Community Guidelines.
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How to enable YouTube shorts monetisation

Now you know what you need to do to start earning, let’s talk about switching on Shorts monetisation. In order to make money from your YouTube Shorts, you need to join the YouTube Partner Program. You can apply for the YPP via the YouTube Studio App or via YouTube on desktop, and click “Earn.”

It typically takes around a month for YouTube to respond to your application, although you may be approved much quicker than this. If you are not approved, you can appeal the decision within 21 days or reapply after a 30 day period, as long as you keep creating content and meeting all of the requirements we listed above. If you are rejected more than once, you will need to wait 90 days to apply again.
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Withdrawing earnings from YouTube shorts 

Approved YouTube Partners will need to link to or create an AdSense account to receive the money they have earned. Before you can access your earnings in AdSense, you will need to:

• Input your tax information, including your country of residence.
• Verify your identity and your address
• Meet the payment threshold, which for the UK is currently £60
• Setup your form of payment. In the UK, eligible forms of payment methods are wire (15 working days) and EFT (electronic funds transfer) (4-10 working days).

Given the time it takes to process your creator revenue and the payment withdrawals, it’s important to plan ahead to minimise cash flow issues. Even if creating YouTube Shorts is simply a side hustle, you will want to make sure you are working to a schedule, and maximising your earning potential at every opportunity. With that in mind, let’s take a look at diversifying your income in the next section. 
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Alternative revenue streams for YouTube shorts creators

Monetisation via the YPP may be the main way to make money from YouTube Shorts, but it’s not the only one. There are a few different methods of earning from YouTube Shorts you can explore as an alternative. Here’s a breakdown of each one:

• Super Thanks: Viewers can show their gratitude for your content by sending a “Super Thanks” – this is a one-off bonus sent to creators from viewers. You can turn this on for Shorts and long form videos in the Channel Monetisation section of the YouTube Studio. 
• Channel Memberships: Viewers can subscribe to become a paid member of your channel, giving them the opportunity to support you and also access exclusive content content, including members-only Shorts. This is typically a monthly or annual subscription, and you receive 70% of the channel membership revenue with YouTube taking a 30% cut.
• Brand sponsorships: Outside of AdSense, there is a world of earning potential for creators in every space. Through brand deals and sponsorships, you can be paid to promote products and services that align with your business. You can do this through an agency or on your own by networking with the businesses you would like to feature. If you are being paid to talk about a brand, you will need to make sure you content meets the Advertising Standards Agency’s guidelines. 

Revenue streams that are currently only available on long-form videos:

• Super Chat & Super Stickers: Another viewer-driven opportunity to grow your Shorts revenue. Viewers can purchase highlighted chats and stickers to post on your livestreams or premiere videos. 

YouTube shorts monetisation FAQs

Can you monetise YouTube Shorts?

Yes, as long as you meet the requirements to join the YouTube Partner Program, as well as Google’s various community and content guidelines, you can monetise YouTube Shorts.

Do you need 1,000 subscribers to monetise YouTube Shorts?

Yes, you need 1,000 subscribers to monetise YouTube Shorts and one of the following:

10m YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days or 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 12 months.

How much money can you earn from 1,000 views on YouTube Shorts?

Your earning potential for YouTube Shorts depends on a number of factors, but the typical income is £0.01 to £0.05 per 1,000 views. 

Earning potential is lower for Shorts as the videos are shorter and, therefore, less exposed to advertising. However, you can make more Shorts videos in the same time it takes to make one long-form video, so this can make for a great revenue stream.

Can you put affiliate links in YouTube Shorts?

You can add affiliate links in YouTube Shorts as long as your content meets all eligible criteria and guidelines, and you are clear that you are earning from the link as stated in the ASA guidelines.  

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The future of YouTube shorts monetisation

We are still in the very early stages of YouTube Shorts, but we can see some likely changes based on similar platforms like Instagram Reels and TikToks. 

What’s coming next for YouTube Shorts include:

Smart downloads for premium members 

YouTube will download Shorts based on your interests and watch history to your phone for you to watch when offline.

Picture-in-picture viewing

Viewers can keep watching Shorts while doing something else in another window or app.

More ways for viewers to support creators

Super Stickers, Super Chats and memberships are just the tip of the iceberg for viewers who want to support their favourite creators. 

Short Form video is more popular than ever, and if you can firmly position as a creator in this space now, then you will only benefit from the next stage of growth for YouTube Shorts. 

Keep on track with your YouTube earnings

Already making money from YouTube and not sure where you stand tax wise? Register with Crunch to benefit from our cloud accounting software and get advice from real accountants with experience in your field. Sign up today. 

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