New YouTube Monetization options in 2023

There were several exciting announcements from this week's invite-only YouTube Creator Summit, with a number of new monetization options that will (mostly) become available in 2023

Full details will be available in the coming months.

Update January 2023: New YouTube Partner Program terms of service and Shorts Ad Revenue Sharing.

Update June 2023: YouTube Partner Program open to more creators with new Fan Funding tier

Here is a brief overview of the update:

• YouTube Partner Program eligibility with 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days
• All channels in the YouTube Partner Program will be able to earn ad revenue from Shorts
• Earn from Super Thanks on Shorts
• Lower eligibility threshold for fan funding
• Creator Music lets Partners license commercial music tracks for monetized videos

Watch the official announcement by YouTube Creators: 

 

 Read on for more details.

Eligibility Requirements for the YouTube Partner Program

Currently to be able to apply for the YouTube Partner Program, your YouTube channel must meet the following requirements: 

• At least 1000 subscribers
• At least 4000 valid public watch hours in the past 365 days
• No active Community Guidelines strikes

Plus your channel's content must follow all monetization policies, and you need an active AdSense account to be paid.

Shorts are vertical videos under a minute long, similar to TikTok videos and Instagram Reels. Viewers on mobile devices can tap the Shorts icon to view an infinite stream of Shorts videos. 

The sticking point for Shorts creators is that the "valid public watch hours" does not include videos played from the "Stories and Short Videos Shelf".  

This week's announcement expands eligibility to allow Shorts creators to become eligible with 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days, rather than the watch time requirement. 

This adds a new path to YouTube Partner Program eligibility: 

• At least 1000 subscribers (this is the same)
• At least 10 Million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days

Content still must comply with YouTube's monetization policies. 

It doesn't matter which way a channel gains eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program. Once approved, both Shorts and long form videos can be monetized.

But what about all those Shorts using popular music?  Keep reading!

Note: this change will go into effect in early 2023.

Earn Ad Revenue from Shorts

In 2021 YouTube launched the YouTube Shorts Fund. This is a pool of money that is distributed among eligible Shorts creators as a bonus each month based on their Shorts performance. 

In early 2023, all channels in the YouTube Partner Program will be able to start earning ad revenue from Shorts. At this time the YouTube Shorts Fund will be retired.

If your channel is currently in the YouTube Partner Program, you will have to sign a new agreement to start earning from Shorts. 

Shorts ad revenue is distributed a bit differently than ad revenue on long form videos. 

On long form videos, you get a percentage of the gross revenue from the ads appearing on your videos. 

In the Shorts Feed, videos won't show pre-roll ads or have overlay ads. Instead there are vertical video ads that play between the Shorts in the feed.  

• Each month all the Shorts ad revenue will be pooled
• Part of the ad revenue will be allocated to pay for music licensing
• From the remaining revenue allocated to creators, the revenue share will be 45% going to creators
• Revenue will be distributed based on views of the creator's Shorts in each country

YouTube expects Shorts Fund recipients will earn more under this new ad revenue model. 

Plus YouTube Partners who primarily create long form content will now be able to earn from their Shorts as well. 

Lower Eligibility Requirements for Fan Funding

Currently your channel must be in the YouTube Partner Program to be eligible for fan funding, including channel memberships, Super Thanks, Super Chat and Super Stickers. 

In 2023 it will be easier for your channel to become eligible for fan funding.  YouTube has not shared what those eligibility requirements will be exactly, but channels will no longer have to meet the YouTube Partner Program watch time or Shorts views requirement. 

This update will apply to fan funding on any sorts of content, including videos on demand, live streams and Shorts.

Super Thanks on Shorts

In 2021 YouTube launched Super Thanks, which lets video fans leave a tip to show appreciation for a video. A "Thanks" comment is then posted on the video.

Currently Super Thanks are only available on videos on demand. Live streams, premieres and videos in the Shorts Feed are not eligible. 

Starting about now, a small group of creators will be able to earn with Super Thanks on their Shorts. Access will be expanded to more creators in 2023.

Monetize Videos With Commercial Music

Popular music is one of the staples of Shorts. As long as the music is added using the YouTube Shorts video editor, it's all allowed. 

In contrast, Creators who use commercial music tracks in their longer form videos may end up with a copyright claim, have their video muted, or get a copyright strike. 

But this is changing! 

Soon YouTube will be launching Creator Music in the United States.

Channels in the YouTube Partner Program will be able to download commercial music to use in their long form videos, with the option to either pay an up-front license fee or revenue share with the copyright holders. These videos can be monetized. 

Creator Music is currently in beta, and will launch in the US later this fall.  It will expand to more countries in 2023.

Learn more

• YouTube News: Made on YouTube: supporting the next wave of creative entrepreneurs
• YouTube Help Center: New Ways to Earn on YouTube
• Announcement: Big News: Shorts revenue sharing and more ways to earn & grow with YPP in 2023