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Ever wondered how those viral YouTube Shorts creators are making money? Let’s cut through the noise and get straight to the numbers.

The Truth About Shorts Revenue

YouTube Shorts use a different payment model compared to regular videos. While traditional YouTube videos earn $1.90-$3.80 CPM (cost per thousand views), Shorts only generate about $0.04-$0.06 CPM.

Here’s the simple math: If your Short gets 1 million views, you’re looking at roughly $40-$60 in revenue. Yes, you read that right – significantly less than regular YouTube videos.

Why So Low?

The lower rates come down to a few key factors:

• Shorter duration means fewer ad placements
• Lower click-through rates
• Different viewing behavior

But Don’t Get Discouraged

While the CPM is lower, Shorts have some unique advantages:

• They’re easier to create
• They can go viral more quickly
• They serve as excellent channel growth tools
• You can monetize through multiple streams

Alternative Revenue Streams for Shorts

Smart creators don’t rely solely on ad revenue. You can make money through:

• YouTube Shopping
• Fan funding (Super Thanks, Super Chats)
• Channel memberships
• Affiliate marketing
• Brand sponsorships

The Monetization Requirements

Before you can earn anything, you’ll need:

• 1,000 subscribers
• Either 4,000 public watch hours OR
• 10 million public Shorts views in the last 12 months

Pro Tip: Content Category Matters

Even with Shorts, your niche affects potential earnings. Here’s what different categories typically earn (though rates are lower for Shorts):

Digital Marketing & Finance: Highest rates Film & Animation: Second highest Entertainment: Lower range Music: Among the lowest

Using A Calculator To Estimate Earnings

To get a rough estimate of your potential earnings, use this formula: Estimated Revenue = (Estimated CPM) × (Total Views/1000)

For Shorts specifically, use $0.04-$0.06 as your CPM range

Real Talk

The key to success with Shorts isn’t just chasing views – it’s building a comprehensive strategy that includes:

• Consistent posting
• High-quality content
• Multiple revenue streams
• Strong audience engagement 

Think of Shorts as a powerful tool in your content arsenal rather than your primary money maker. They’re excellent for growing your audience, which you can then monetize through other means.

Keep your expectations realistic, focus on quality content, and remember that sustainable success comes from diversifying your revenue streams rather than relying solely on YouTube’s direct payments.