If you've ever wondered whether uploading Shorts on YouTube is a profitable way to make money, you're not alone. With the rise of short-form content, many creators are jumping on the trend, hoping to earn a decent income. So, after uploading 320 Shorts over the past three months, here’s exactly how much YouTube paid me—and what I learned along the way.
📊 The Numbers: Views, Watch Time & Revenue
Before I reveal the earnings, let’s break down some key stats from these 320 Shorts:
Total Views: 12.5 million 📈
Total Watch Time: 920,000 minutes ⏳
Subscribers Gained: 18,500 🎯
Average RPM (Revenue per 1,000 views): $0.03 - $0.12
And now, the moment of truth... How much did YouTube pay me for 320 Shorts?
💰 Total YouTube Earnings: $980.42
Yes, despite getting over 12.5 million views, the total earnings were under $1,000! Surprised? Let’s dive into why.
🧐 Why Did I Earn So Little?
1️⃣ YouTube Shorts Monetization Is Different
Unlike long-form videos where creators earn money through ads, Shorts primarily earn revenue from:
The YouTube Shorts Fund (before February 2023)
Ad revenue sharing (post-February 2023)
Because ads on Shorts work differently (shown between videos in the Shorts feed rather than directly on the video), the RPM tends to be very low compared to long-form content.
2️⃣ CPM (Cost Per 1,000 Views) Is Low for Shorts
While long-form content can have CPMs ranging from $5 to $30, Shorts often sit between $0.20 and $1.00—meaning you need millions of views to make substantial money.
3️⃣ Regional Differences Affect Earnings
Most of my audience came from India, Brazil, and Indonesia, where ad rates are significantly lower than in the US, UK, or Canada. If my audience had been primarily from high-CPM countries, I might have earned 2-3x more.
🚀 What I Learned & How You Can Earn More
Despite the low revenue from Shorts, I learned some crucial lessons:
✅ 1. Use Shorts to Grow Your Channel
While Shorts may not pay much, they’re fantastic for rapid audience growth. I gained 18,500 subscribers in three months—something that would have taken much longer with only long-form videos. These new subscribers now watch my long-form content, where I earn higher ad revenue.
✅ 2. Focus on High-CPM Niches
If you want better earnings from Shorts, create content in finance, tech, business, and education—these niches attract advertisers with higher budgets. Avoid overly broad entertainment content unless you’re going for viral reach.
✅ 3. Add Affiliate Marketing & Sponsorships
If YouTube ad revenue alone isn’t enough, consider promoting affiliate products or landing brand deals. Many brands now sponsor Shorts, offering $50 - $500 per video depending on your audience size.
✅ 4. Repurpose Shorts on Other Platforms
You don’t have to rely solely on YouTube. Upload the same Shorts to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Reels to maximize reach and potential earnings from multiple platforms.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
If you’re looking to get rich solely from Shorts, you might be disappointed. However, if your goal is to grow fast, build an audience, and use Shorts as a stepping stone to higher-paying opportunities (like long-form videos, sponsorships, or digital products), then YES, Shorts are absolutely worth it!
Would I continue uploading Shorts? Definitely! But now, I’m combining them with long-form videos to maximize my earnings.
👉 Have you tried making money with YouTube Shorts? Let me know in the comments!
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