Google-owned video-sharing platform YouTube is ready to open the floodgates for its short-form video content creators. During a Google press conference, cited by Reuters, YouTube says it will share ad revenue with creators that have at least ten million views over 90 days on Shorts.
Recently reported by the New York Times, YouTube has been gearing up to announce this opportunity for its content creators. YouTube Shorts are a rival to the explosive social media platform TikTok in the short-form video category. For those not in the know, YouTube Shorts are short-form video experiences that began rolling out in the U.S. market in 2021.
Previously, YouTube only offered revenue sharing for creators with 1,000 subscribers that raked in at least 4,000 hours of views. YouTube will now bring ads to Shorts and will pay creators a 45/55 revenue share, with 45% going to the content creator. In comparison, YouTube’s typical revenue-sharing model is 55% for creators.
Furthermore, YouTube will allow its content creators to use popular music in both short and long videos and make money from them. Prior to this, the revenue would go to the copyright holders of the music.
YouTube creators with 10 million views on Shorts within a 90-day period can apply to the Partner Program. Creators get a 45% cut of the ads, even if they use music.
The new monetization structure for Shorts makes YouTube an attractive place for short-form content creators to start their ventures. In 2021, YouTube announced the YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100M fund to be distributed to creators throughout 2021 and 2022.
“We want YouTube to be the place that gives (creators) the greatest support within the changing digital landscape,” said Neal Mohan, YouTube’s Chief Product Officer. “This is the first time real revenue sharing is being offered for short-form video on any platform at scale.”
