How to Apply for YouTube Shorts Fund

Looking to get paid for your YouTube Shorts? The old YouTube Shorts Fund is gone, but a new, more sustainable system has taken its place. This guide breaks down exactly how the new monetization works through the YouTube Partner Program, what you need to qualify, and a step-by-step process to apply. We'll also cover strategies to boost your Shorts' performance so you can earn more right away.

The Big News: The YouTube Shorts Fund Has Ended

First, let's get the most important update out of the way. The original $100 million YouTube Shorts Fund, which acted as a bonus program for top creators, was officially phased out in early 2023. While it was a great incentive to get the format off the ground, it wasn't a stable or predictable source of income for creators. Payouts fluctuated monthly, and creators had no clear insight into why they received a specific bonus amount or how to replicate it.

YouTube knew this wasn't a sustainable long-term model. So, they replaced the Fund with something much better: direct ad revenue sharing. This transition moves Shorts from being a bonus-based system to a core part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), just like traditional long-form videos. This is a huge win for creators, offering a more stable and scalable way to build a real business from short-form content.

The New Game Plan: How Shorts Ad Revenue Sharing Actually Works

Instead of a limited pot of bonus money, Shorts creators now earn a slice of the ad revenue generated on the Shorts feed. The process might sound a little complicated at first, but it’s actually a fair system designed to reward all monetizing creators based on their performance. Here’s a simple breakdown of how the money flows from advertisers to you.

1. Ads Get Pooled Together

YouTube takes all the money earned from advertisements that appear between videos in the Shorts feed and puts it into one large pool. This is done every month. Unlike long-form videos where an ad is tied to a specific video, Shorts ads are independent, so the revenue has to be shared across all the videos a person watched during their viewing session.

2. The Music Bill is Paid

Before any creators get paid, YouTube uses a portion of this revenue pool to cover the costs of music licensing. Short-form video runs on popular music, and this step ensures that artists and record labels get their fair share. Whether you use one or two tracks with commercial music in your Shorts or none at all, this is a fixed amount based on total usage across the platform. This simplifies the process massively so you don't have to worry about the specific fees for a song you used.

3. The Money Moves to the "Creator Pool"

After the music licensing costs are covered, the remaining money is allocated to what YouTube calls the "Creator Pool." This is the pot of money that will be distributed among all the creators who are part of the YouTube Partner Program and have monetized their Shorts.

4. Your Share is Calculated Based on Views

Here’s where your channel's performance matters. YouTube allocates money from the Creator Pool to individual monetizing creators based on their share of the total Shorts views for that month. It’s a simple formula:

If your Shorts received 1% of all eligible Shorts views in your country, you will be allocated 1% of the money in the Creator Pool.

This means your earnings directly scale with your viewership. The more views your Shorts get, the bigger your piece of the pie.

5. You Keep 45% of Your Allocation

Finally, you receive 45% of the money allocated to you from the Creator Pool. YouTube keeps the remaining 55%. This is a fixed revenue share creator-wide for the YouTube Shorts program.

The beauty of this model is its predictability and scalability. Unlike the old Shorts Fund, your earnings potential is not capped by a fixed fund, but rather by the performance from advertisements placed against shorts overall. As a result, as Shorts grow and more advertisers get onboard, your revenue as a creator should scale as a result.

Checking the Boxes: YPP Eligibility Requirements for Shorts Creators

Alright, so how do you get in on this? To start earning from Shorts ad revenue, you need to first be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). YouTube has created a specific pathway for Shorts-focused creators, making it more accessible than ever. Here’s exactly what you need:

• 1,000 Subscribers: This is a non-negotiable threshold that applies to all channels wanting to join the YPP.
• 10 Million Valid Public Shorts Views in the Last 90 Days: This is the key performance metric for Shorts creators. If your content is consistently getting traction, this target is highly achievable.

OR... (The Traditional Route)

• 4,000 Valid Public Watch Hours on Long-Form Videos in the Last 12 Months: If you also create long-form videos alongside Shorts, meeting this requirement also works to get you into the YPP. You only need to meet one of the performance thresholds (10M Shorts views OR 4,000 long-form watch hours), not both.

And the Standard Platform Rules:

• Follow all YouTube Channel Monetization Policies: This is a big one. It involves adhering to Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, Copyright policies, and AdSense Program policies. This includes rules against reused content, unoriginal videos, and other spammy practices. The most common reason for rejection is a violation of these policies. Give them a read before applying!
• No Active Community Guidelines Strikes: Your channel needs to be in good standing. An active strike will prevent you from applying until it expires.
• Live in an Eligible Country/Region: The YPP and Shorts monetization are available in many countries across the globe, but check the latest list from Google to confirm.
• Linked AdSense Account: This is how you'll receive your money. You'll set this up during or after the application process if you don't have one already.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the YPP

Once you’ve cross-referenced and confirmed your eligibility, it’s time to apply. Here’s a general overview of the steps you’ll be walking through in this process, found directly in YouTube Studio:

1. Go to the "Earn" Tab

Sign in to your account and navigate to YouTube Studio. Inside of Studio, look for the "Earn" tab in the left-hand navigation menu. If you can't see the Earn tab yet, don't worry. Studio will automatically make this tab available once your account is eligible to apply.

2. Check Your Progress

The Earn tab has trackers that show your progress toward meeting the eligibility requirements. A series of checkmarks will inform you which requirements you've already met. Keep these goals in mind as you create content. Once all requirements are fulfilled, Studio will unlock a blue "Apply Now" button.

3. Review and Accept the Terms

Once your account is eligible and you begin your application, you'll be directed to a page with all the legal terms and requirements. After reviewing and accepting them, you will be presented with different monetization options, or "modules." These include the "Shorts Monetization Module," the “Watch Page Monetization Module," and others available through YouTube Studio.

4. Submit Your Application for an Official Review

After you submit all the forms and agree to the monetization modules, your channel's application will be placed in a queue for human review. A member of Google's team will audit your channel, looking at your content and metadata holistically to ensure it complies with YouTube's Monetization Policies. Review times can vary from a few days to an entire month, so be patient!

5. Link with AdSense or Get Set Up for the First Time

If your application is approved, you will either need to connect an existing AdSense account or set up a new one. AdSense, which is owned by Google, is the platform that facilitates all payments and transactions for your earnings.

Beyond Applying: Smart Ways to Boost Shorts Earnings and Approval Chances

Simply enrolling in the YouTube Partner Program isn't a guarantee of consistent earnings. However, there are proactive steps you can take to improve your results and earn more from revenue sharing. These strategies will help give your Shorts a better chance of reaching higher earning levels.

Focus on Consistency and Velocity

Think of your Shorts uploads as a marathon, not a sprint. Consistent and frequent publishing signals to the algorithm that you have a healthy channel, which can lead to your Shorts being shown to more viewers.

Nail the Hook Within the First Few Seconds

The hook is arguably the single biggest factor in whether a viewer decides to watch your entire Short. Start with visual shock value or ask a direct, controversial, or thought-provoking question to grab their attention immediately.

Incorporate Trends Creatively

Stay aware of popular memes, rising audio tracks, and unique video trends. Then, put your own creative spin on them that reflects your unique brand or personality to bring something new to the trend.

Final Thoughts

So, while the old Shorts Fund no longer exists, the opportunity has never been bigger. Monetization through the YPP provides a far better-structured business model, turning a creative video hobby into something tangible with real value.

Balancing creator demands with platform guidelines requires a solid content plan. At Postbase, we designed a social media management platform focused on today’s video-first world. Being able to plan and schedule all your content, from YouTube Shorts to TikToks and Reels, in one visual calendar makes consistency feel effortless, freeing you up to create content that your audience loves.