What is the RPM for Shorts in 2024?

YouTube Shorts RPM in 2024: What Creators Need to Know

As of October 15, 2024, the financial reality for creators on YouTube Shorts has become increasingly clear—and it’s not exactly promising. The RPM (revenue per thousand views) for Shorts currently sits between $0.01 and $0.10, a stark contrast to the $2 to $20 RPM typically seen on long-form videos.

This gap isn’t just a number—it’s a major shift in how creators earn. While Shorts dominate in reach and engagement, the monetization model still lags far behind traditional YouTube content. Many creators have pivoted to short-form video hoping for quick growth, only to find their views don’t translate into meaningful income.

The reason? YouTube’s Shorts ad revenue system is still evolving. Ads run alongside Shorts content, but the pool of ad revenue is shared collectively among all Shorts creators, then distributed based on view share. This means even with millions of views, payouts remain low compared to longer videos where ads are more directly tied to individual content performance.

Additionally, after the platform-wide changes in late 2024, many creators reported a noticeable dip in earnings, especially those relying heavily on Shorts for income. While YouTube continues to promote the format for discovery and audience building, the financial incentives haven’t caught up.

For now, Shorts are better seen as a tool for visibility rather than direct monetization. Creators who succeed often use them to funnel viewers toward monetizable content—like long-form videos, merchandise, or external platforms.

Bottom line: if you're creating Shorts for profit alone, the returns may disappoint. But as part of a broader strategy? They’re still a powerful asset. The key is balancing virality with sustainability—something every creator must navigate in today’s evolving landscape.