YouTube Shorts Monetization in 2026: What Every Creator Needs to Know

YouTube Shorts monetization has evolved dramatically in 2026. The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) now fully supports Shorts revenue sharing, but the rates and requirements are very different from long-form videos. Here's everything creators need to know.

YouTube Shorts Revenue Per 1,000 Views (RPM)

As you can see, Shorts have much lower RPM than long-form content. However, volume is the key — Shorts can accumulate millions of views quickly, making up for the lower per-view rate.

Eligibility Requirements for YouTube Shorts Monetization

• ✅ 1,000+ subscribers
• ✅ 10 million Shorts views in last 90 days OR 4,000 watch hours from long-form videos
• ✅ YouTube Partner Program membership
• ✅ Located in an eligible country
• ✅ Compliant with YouTube's Community Guidelines

Strategy: Use Shorts as a Funnel

The most successful creators use Shorts as a funnel to their long-form channel. A viral Short brings in subscribers who then watch your longer monetized content. This hybrid strategy maximizes total revenue while building a massive audience.