YouTube Shorts quickly became a viral sensation, offering creators a powerful way to connect with new audiences through short-form video. In response to its booming popularity, YouTube launched the YouTube Shorts Fund in 2021—a $100 million bonus program rewarding top-performing Shorts creators. From 2021 to 2022, creators received monthly payments ranging between $100 and $10,000 depending on engagement, reach, and regional performance.
However, as of 2023, the YouTube Shorts Fund was officially discontinued. In its place, YouTube introduced a more sustainable, scalable, and performance-based revenue-sharing system through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)—changing the monetization game for creators in 2025 and beyond.
Why the YouTube Shorts Fund Was Retired
The YouTube Shorts Fund served as a successful entry point to encourage short-form video creation and boost platform engagement. But as YouTube aimed to provide a more long-term monetization strategy, the bonus-based model was phased out. Instead, YouTube began compensating creators through a share of ad revenue—aligning Shorts creators with the same opportunities as long-form content creators.
How Shorts Monetization Works in 2025
In 2025, creators no longer rely on one-time bonus payments. Here’s how the YouTube monetization for creators works today:
1. Revenue Sharing Replaces Bonuses
Creators now earn money through a 45% revenue share model. Ads appear in-between Shorts, and YouTube calculates revenue based on views and ad performance. YouTube retains 55% to cover costs like music licensing.
2. Eligibility Through YouTube Partner Program
To earn from Shorts, creators must be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program. This requires 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 valid public watch hours or 10 million Shorts views within the past 90 days. They must also follow strict content policies, ensuring originality and advertiser-friendliness.
3. Shorts Video Rewards via Engaged Views
Only authentic, engaging content qualifies for monetization. Reused clips, unoriginal edits, or views driven by artificial methods (like bots) are disqualified. This shift ensures that Shorts video rewards are fairly distributed to truly deserving creators.
4. Expanded Creator Tools for Earning
Besides ad revenue, creators can earn through:
- Super Thanks: Fans can tip directly on Shorts.
- Affiliate Tagging: Eligible creators in select markets can tag products for commissions.
These tools amplify YouTube creator support and offer multiple income streams.
The Impact on YouTube Short-Form Content
This revenue-sharing model reflects YouTube’s evolving strategy to nurture creators and boost consistent, high-quality content. The transition has made it easier for creators of all sizes to monetize short-form content—removing barriers and building a sustainable future.
Additionally, this model mirrors how other platforms (like TikTok and Instagram) compensate creators—further encouraging creators to invest more effort into YouTube short-form content.
What This Means for Future Video Content Funding
By integrating the YouTube Shorts Fund into its regular monetization system, YouTube now offers a more inclusive and dependable video content funding program. Creators are no longer limited to periodic bonuses—they now earn what their content is truly worth, based on real engagement and ad views.
This change also improves transparency and predictability for creators, allowing them to plan, strategize, and grow their content businesses with clarity.
Partner with Digilogy to Boost Your Video Monetization Strategy
As short-form content becomes a core part of digital strategies, navigating platforms like YouTube can be complex. That’s where Digilogy, a results-driven digital marketing service provider, comes in. Our team helps creators, brands, and businesses unlock their full earning potential through performance marketing, video optimization, and smart platform strategies.
Looking to monetize your YouTube Shorts or grow your creator brand? Connect with Digilogy today and turn your content into consistent revenue.
