How to Get Paid on YouTube Shorts: Beginner’s Complete Guide (2026)

You’ve been posting YouTube Shorts, racking up views, and now you’re wondering, when does the money start coming in? You’re not alone. Millions of creators around the world, from the United States to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and beyond, are asking the exact same question: how to get paid on YouTube Shorts.

YouTube Shorts is now a legitimate income stream, not just a tool for going viral. Since YouTube overhauled its monetization model in February 2023 and expanded it further through 2025 and into 2026, creators can earn real ad revenue, fan tips, brand deals, and more directly from their short-form content.

What Is YouTube Shorts Monetization?

YouTube Shorts monetization is the system that allows creators to earn money from their short-form vertical videos, clips that are up to 3 minutes long, published on YouTube’s Shorts feed.

Unlike traditional YouTube videos, where ads play directly on your video’s watch page, Shorts operates on a pooled revenue-sharing model. Here’s what that means in plain English:

• Every month, YouTube collects all the ad revenue generated from ads shown between videos in the Shorts feed.
• That pool of money is split: a portion goes to music licensing costs, and the remainder, the Creator Pool is distributed among eligible monetized creators.
• Your share is based on how many engaged views your Shorts receive compared to the total engaged views across all monetized creators that month.
• You keep 45% of your allocated share. YouTube retains the remaining 55% to cover platform costs and music licensing.

This model is separate from the traditional long-form video monetization system, where creators earn 55% of ad revenue. The difference exists because Shorts require YouTube to pay music rights holders separately, which takes a cut before creators are paid.

One important point: you also earn from YouTube Premium subscribers who watch your Shorts. YouTube pays out 45% of the net Premium revenue allocated to Shorts creators, calculated based on your share of Premium Shorts views by country.

How to Get Paid on YouTube Shorts (Step-by-Step)

Getting paid on YouTube Shorts follows a clear process. Here’s exactly how it works from start to finish:

Step 1: Meet the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Requirements

To earn ad revenue from Shorts, you must be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program. There are two entry tiers available to creators in 2026:

Entry-Level Tier (Fan Funding Only, No Ad Revenue):

• 500 subscribers
• 3 public posts in the last 90 days
• 3 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days, OR 3,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 12 months

This tier unlocks fan-funding tools like Super Thanks, Super Chat, Super Stickers, and channel memberships. It does not include Shorts ad revenue sharing.

Full Monetization Tier (Ad Revenue Included):

• 1,000 subscribers
• 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days, OR 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 12 months

This is the tier that unlocks full Shorts ad revenue sharing. Most creators focused on Shorts should aim for this level.

Step 2: Apply for YPP Through YouTube Studio

Once you’ve met the requirements, head to YouTube Studio. Navigate to the Earn tab, this is your monetization command center. You’ll see real-time progress trackers for subscribers, Shorts views, and watch hours. When you’re eligible, you’ll see an option to apply. YouTube typically reviews applications within 30 days.

Step 3: Accept the Shorts Monetization Module

This step is critical and many creators miss it. After being accepted into YPP, you must specifically accept the Shorts Monetization Module, a separate set of terms that allows you to earn from Shorts ad revenue and YouTube Premium. Importantly, Shorts views earned before you accept this module do not count retroactively toward your earnings.

Step 4: Link a Google AdSense Account

To actually receive payments, your YouTube channel must be linked to a Google AdSense account. If you’re based in the US, payments are made in USD. Creators in other countries receive payments in their local currency through their AdSense account. YouTube issues payments monthly once your earnings exceed the $100 (USD) payment threshold.

Step 5: Create Original, Advertiser-Friendly Content

Only “engaged views” on eligible content count toward your revenue. Non-original content, such as unedited clips from movies, re-uploaded videos from other creators, or compilations with no original value will not qualify. All content must follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, and advertiser-friendly content policies.

Step 6: Track and Optimize in YouTube Studio Analytics

Once monetized, use YouTube Studio Analytics to monitor your Shorts performance. You can see revenue per view, top-performing Shorts, audience retention, and more. Use this data to double down on what’s working.

How to Get Paid on YouTube Shorts

How many views do you need to get paid on YouTube Shorts?

To qualify for full Shorts ad revenue sharing, you need 10 million valid public Shorts views within the last 90 days, along with at least 1,000 subscribers. For the entry-level fan funding tier, you need 3 million Shorts views in 90 days and 500 subscribers.

How much does YouTube Shorts pay per 1,000 views?

YouTube Shorts pays approximately $0.01 to $0.06 per 1,000 views in ad revenue, depending on your niche, content quality, and the size of that month’s Creator Pool. Earnings can vary significantly month to month.

Can you get paid on YouTube Shorts without 1,000 subscribers?

Yes, partially. With just 500 subscribers and 3 million Shorts views in 90 days, you can qualify for YouTube’s entry-level YPP tier, which unlocks fan-funding features like Super Thanks, channel memberships, and merchandise. You cannot earn Shorts ad revenue until you reach the full 1,000 subscriber threshold.

Does using copyrighted music affect your YouTube Shorts earnings?

Using music from YouTube’s official audio library within the Shorts editor is safe and does not reduce your earnings. However, using copyrighted music from outside YouTube’s licensed library can lead to copyright claims, video demonetization, or channel strikes. Always use royalty-free or YouTube-licensed tracks to protect your income.

How long does it take to start getting paid on YouTube Shorts?

After being accepted into YPP and accepting the Shorts Monetization Module, YouTube calculates your Shorts revenue monthly. Payments are issued via Google AdSense once you reach the $100 USD minimum threshold, typically on a monthly payment cycle (around the 21st of each month). Allow 30–45 days after YPP approval before your first payment.

Can YouTube Shorts creators in countries outside the US get paid?

Yes. YouTube Shorts monetization is available to creators across many countries, including the United Kingdom (GBP), Canada (CAD), Australia (AUD), India (INR), and most of Europe (EUR), among others. Payments are processed through Google AdSense in your local currency, subject to your country’s tax regulations and YouTube’s list of supported countries.

Conclusion: Start Building Your YouTube Shorts Income Today

Getting paid on YouTube Shorts in 2026 is very real, but it requires a clear strategy, not just a lucky viral video.

Here are the key takeaways from this guide: you need to hit either 1,000 subscribers with 10 million Shorts views in 90 days, or 4,000 watch hours on long-form content, to unlock full ad revenue sharing. You keep 45% of your allocated Creator Pool share. Shorts CPMs are lower than long-form videos, which means the smartest creators combine ad revenue with brand deals, affiliate marketing, Super Thanks, and channel memberships to build a sustainable income.

 

Last updated: February 2026. YouTube’s monetization policies are subject to change. Always verify current requirements at YouTube’s official Help Center.