Can you monetize YouTube Shorts in 2024?

Can You Monetize YouTube Shorts in 2024?

Yes — and the rules have evolved. As of October 15, 2024, YouTube updated its monetization policy to include three-minute Shorts in the Shorts revenue sharing model. This change marks a significant shift for creators who’ve been pushing the boundaries of short-form content.

Previously, only Shorts under 60 seconds qualified for revenue sharing, which limited how creators could structure longer narratives or in-depth tutorials. Now, with the extended time frame, YouTube is giving more room for creativity — and more opportunity to earn.

The key detail? Only Shorts uploaded after October 15, 2024 are eligible under this new structure. So if you're planning to monetize longer Shorts, timing matters. As long as your content meets YouTube’s broader Partner Program requirements — including 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid Shorts views in the last 90 days — you can start earning from those three-minute clips.

Revenue is shared through YouTube’s Shorts ad model, where ads appear between videos in the Shorts feed. Earnings aren't based on traditional ad views but on your video’s performance within the ecosystem — things like engagement, watch time, and swipe-away rates.

This update signals YouTube’s ongoing push to compete with platforms like TikTok and Instagram, while finally offering creators a more realistic path to profit from short videos. The message is clear: if you’re creating high-quality, original Shorts, there’s real potential to turn views into value — especially now that three minutes can work harder for you.