YouTube Shorts Monetization Expansion: More Ways to Earn (And Why I Almost Gave Up Before It Got Good)

Let’s be real—when YouTube Shorts first launched, most of us treated it like TikTok’s awkward cousin. You know, the one you have to invite to the party but don’t really expect to bring the vibes. Fast forward to today, and Shorts is basically the life of the party, and YouTube’s handing out more ways to get paid for being there.

I’ll admit, I was skeptical. My first 50 Shorts? Flops. Glorious, cringe-worthy flops. One video of me attempting a trendy dance got three views—two were mine, and the third was probably my mom pity-watching. But now? Shorts is a legit revenue stream for creators, and the new monetization updates? Chef’s kiss.

So, grab your favorite overpriced coffee (or, like, a sensible tea—no judgment), and let’s dive into how this whole thing works, why it matters, and how you can actually make money without selling your soul to the algorithm.

“Wait, You Can Make Money on Shorts Now?” (A Brief History of My Denial)

When YouTube first announced Shorts monetization, I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my own brain. “Great, another platform promising cash but delivering pennies,” I thought. But then, something weird happened—my stupid, low-effort clip of my cat knocking over a water glass went semi-viral. And suddenly, I was making… actual money? Not “buy a private island” money, but “treat myself to sushi without guilt” money.

Turns out, YouTube wasn’t playing around. The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) expanded to include Shorts, meaning creators could earn from ads, bonuses, and now—drumroll—even more ways like merch, memberships, and affiliate links directly from Shorts.

The New Monetization Playbook (AKA How to Stop Leaving Money on the Table)

1. Ads on Shorts – The Obvious (But Tricky) One

Yes, ads run on Shorts now, but here’s the kicker: revenue sharing works differently than long-form videos. Instead of pocketing cash per view, earnings are pooled and distributed based on total Shorts views across YouTube.

Translation: More views = bigger slice of the pie. But don’t expect long-form video payouts—Shorts CPM is lower (for now). My advice? Post consistently, hook viewers FAST (first 2 seconds matter), and don’t sleep on trending sounds.

2. The Creator Music Tool – Because Original Audio Is a Pain

Ever spent hours searching for a copyright-free track only to get demonetized anyway? Same. YouTube’s new Creator Music library lets you use licensed songs and still monetize. Game. Changer.

3. Affiliate Links & Shopping – Sell Stuff Without Being Salesy

You can now drop product links in Shorts (if you’re in the YPP). I tested this with a dumb “Amazon finds” Short and made $87 in a week. Not bad for a 15-second clip of me pretending to be excited about a garlic press.

4. Memberships & Super Chats – Let Your Stans Pay You Directly

If you’ve got 500+ subs, you can offer channel memberships. One creator friend added a “Behind-the-Scenes” perk for members and now covers her rent with it. Meanwhile, I’m over here wondering why my “Exclusive Bloopers” tier has two members (thanks, Dad).

“But Does This Actually Work?” (Spoiler: Yes, If You’re Smart)

Here’s the thing—Shorts monetization isn’t a “post once, retire early” deal. It’s a grind, but a lucrative one if you play it right.

• Repurpose long-form content: Chop up your best moments into Shorts. (My most-watched Short is literally a 12-second clip of me dropping a burrito. Humanity is weird.)
• Engage early and often: Reply to comments within the first hour—YouTube’s algorithm loves that.
• Experiment (but track what works): Not every Short will hit, but when one does, double down on that style.

Shorts Isn’t a Side Hustle Anymore—It’s a Strategy

A year ago, I almost quit Shorts because “it wasn’t worth it.” Today? It’s 30% of my YouTube income. The new monetization options mean creators finally have real ways to earn without relying solely on ads.

So if you’ve been sleeping on Shorts, wake up. The money’s here—you just gotta grab it.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go film a Short of my dog judging my life choices. (Monetizable content, baby.) 🚀

What about you? Have you tried monetizing Shorts yet? Or are you still in the “I filmed my feet walking for 8 seconds and called it content” phase? (No shame.) Drop your experiences below—let’s learn from each other’s chaos.