YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements in 2025: What UK Creators Need to Know

The Rise of Shorts

If TikTok and Instagram Reels had a child that went to private school, it would be YouTube Shorts. Launched as YouTube’s cheeky response to TikTok, Shorts have exploded in the UK, from London commuters scrolling on the Tube to Manchester students avoiding revision.

And now comes the million-pound question: “Can I actually make money from these 60-second clips?”

The short answer (pun intended): Yes, but only if you meet the YouTube Shorts monetization requirements. Let’s unpack them in plain English, with a splash of sarcasm and a dash of UK realism.

The Basics of YouTube Monetization

Before we zoom in on Shorts, a quick refresher:

• Creators make money primarily through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
  
• To get into YPP, you need to meet eligibility requirements (subscribers, views, watch time).
  
• Once you’re in, you earn from:
  • Ad revenue (main source).
    
  • Channel memberships.
    
  • Super Chats & Stickers.
    
  • YouTube Premium revenue share.
    

So where do Shorts fit into this?

YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements in 2025

As of this year, here’s what UK creators need:

Option 1: Long-Form Route

• 1,000 subscribers
  
• 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months
  

Option 2: Shorts-Specific Route

• 1,000 subscribers
  
• 10 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days
  

Yes, you read that right, 10 million. Which, in British terms, is about as common as finding a seat on the Central Line at 8:30am.

How Shorts Monetization Works

Here’s the fun twist: Shorts monetization isn’t just straightforward ad revenue like long-form videos. Instead, it’s pooled:

1. YouTube collects ad revenue from Shorts feeds.
   
2. Puts it into a big pot (the “creator pool”).
   
3. Divides it between eligible creators, based on total Shorts views.
   

Example:

• If you contribute 1% of all Shorts views in the UK for a given month, you get 1% of the UK’s Shorts ad revenue pool.
  
• It’s like splitting the pub bill with your mates, only fairer, because it’s based on who actually ordered the most pints.
  

CPM for Shorts (UK)

• Average CPM (cost per 1,000 views) for Shorts in the UK: £0.50–£2.00.
  
• Compare this to long-form video CPMs of £2–£5 (and up to £15 for finance/tech).
  
• Meaning: Shorts won’t buy you a mansion, but they might cover your Costa coffees if you hit big numbers.
  

Why Shorts Are Still Worth It

1. Explosive Reach – You can hit 1M views on a Short faster than 10k views on a long-form video.
   
2. Audience Funnel – Shorts bring eyeballs, long-form keeps them. Many UK creators use Shorts as “bait” and long videos as the “hook.”
   
3. Algorithm Boost – Shorts push you to new audiences that wouldn’t normally find you.
   
4. Cultural Relevance – Memes, trending sounds, and challenges spread fastest via Shorts.
   

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Pros of Shorts Monetization:

• Lower barrier to virality.
  
• New fans – faster subscriber growth.
  
• Complements long-form strategy.
  

Cons:

• The 10M requirement is brutal for smaller UK creators.
  
• CPM is lower than standard YouTube videos.
  
• Heavy competition with TikTok and Instagram Reels.
  

Real UK Case Studies

1. The Food Blogger from Birmingham

• Started posting 30-second recipe hacks.
  
• Hit 12M Shorts views in 3 months – qualified for YPP via the Shorts route.
  
• Monetization from Shorts alone ~£1,200/month.
  
• But the real win? Their long-form cooking channel grew from 2k to 50k subs, unlocking real ad revenue.
  

2. The London Fitness Trainer

• Used Shorts to post quick 20-second workout tips.
  
• Average Short: 500k to 1M views.
  
• Shorts ad revenue: ~£800/month.
  
• Upsell: Launched paid fitness app – now earning £5,000+ monthly.
  

Lesson: Shorts get you discovered, but you’ll need a long-term product/service strategy for proper income.

How to Actually Hit 10M Shorts Views

1. Hop on Trends: Use trending UK audio and hashtags.
   
2. Punchy Hooks: First 3 seconds decide whether viewers swipe.
   
3. Vertical-First Filming: Don’t crop landscape – film properly for mobile.
   
4. Post Consistently: 1–2 Shorts per day keeps you in the algorithm’s good books.
   
5. Cross-Promote: Share Shorts on TikTok/IG Reels too.
   

Quick Checklist for UK Creators

• 1,000 subscribers
  
• 10M Shorts views in last 90 days (or 4,000 long-form watch hours)
  
• 2-Step verification on Google account
  
• No community guideline strikes
  
• Apply for YPP once eligible
  

Conclusion: Should You Chase Shorts Monetization?

Yes, but not for the money alone. Think of Shorts as your audience rocket fuel, not your pension plan.

The YouTube Shorts monetization requirements (1,000 subs + 10M views) are steep, but once you cross the line, you unlock the full Partner Program. That means you can earn from:

• Long-form ads (better CPMs)
  
• Memberships
  
• Brand sponsorships
  
• Affiliate deals
  

Final Thought: In the UK, Shorts are the gateway drug. They get you discovered. But the real money? That’s still in long-form, community building, and clever monetization beyond AdSense.