Shorts Feed Ads
Shorts Feed ads are ads shown between videos while viewers scroll through the YouTube Shorts Feed. Eligible creators share in the pooled revenue from those ads through the Shorts Monetization Module.
The ads are not assigned directly to the Short immediately before or after them. YouTube combines eligible Shorts Feed ad revenue into a monthly pool and allocates creator revenue based on eligible engaged viewing.
Where Do Shorts Feed Ads Appear?
YouTube says eligible Shorts revenue sharing applies to ads viewed between videos in the Shorts Feed. The ad may be a skippable video or image ad presented as the viewer scrolls.
The following are not treated as ordinary Creator Pool revenue under YouTube's current policy:
- Ads shown when the Shorts Feed first opens, such as a Shorts Masthead
- Ads on navigational pages within the Shorts player
- Revenue associated with image posts appearing in the Shorts Feed
- Ads or views outside the eligible Shorts Feed monetization model
How Shorts Ad Revenue Sharing Works
- Pool revenue: YouTube combines monthly revenue from ads shown between Shorts.
- Calculate the Creator Pool: Revenue is divided between the Creator Pool and music-licensing costs based on music usage across eligible Shorts.
- Allocate the Creator Pool: Each monetizing creator receives an allocation based on their share of eligible engaged Shorts views in each country.
- Apply the revenue share: The creator keeps 45% of the revenue allocated to them.
What Is the Creator Pool?
The Creator Pool is the portion of eligible Shorts Feed ad revenue available for allocation to monetizing Shorts creators after YouTube accounts for music licensing.
The pool is calculated monthly and by country. A creator does not receive the money from one specific advertisement attached to one specific Short. The creator earns a share of the applicable pool based on eligible engaged-view share.
How Does Music Affect the Creator Pool?
| Music Used in a Short | Revenue Associated With Its Engaged Views |
|---|---|
| No music | All associated revenue is added to the Creator Pool |
| One music track | Half is added to the Creator Pool and half covers music licensing |
| Two music tracks | One third is added to the Creator Pool and two thirds cover music licensing |
These splits affect the calculation of the overall pool. YouTube says a creator's own use of music does not reduce that creator's later allocation percentage or 45% revenue-share rate once the pool is allocated.
Does Using Music Reduce a Creator's 45% Share?
No. YouTube states that monetizing creators keep 45% of their allocated revenue whether or not their individual Shorts use music.
The distinction is:
- Music usage helps determine how much associated revenue enters the overall Creator Pool.
- The creator's allocation is based on their eligible engaged-view share.
- The creator then receives 45% of the allocated amount.
This does not mean music has no effect on the total money available across the ecosystem. It means YouTube does not subtract a separate music penalty from the individual creator's final percentage after allocation.
How Is a Creator's Allocation Calculated?
YouTube distributes each country's Creator Pool according to a creator's share of total eligible engaged views from monetizing creators' Shorts in that country.
For example, if a creator receives 2% of the eligible engaged Shorts views in a country during the month, the creator can be allocated 2% of that country's applicable Creator Pool before the 45% creator share is applied.
This example describes the structure, not a guaranteed payout. The pool size, eligible viewing, geography, music usage, invalid traffic, and revenue adjustments all vary.
What Is the Creator Revenue Share?
YouTube says creators receive 45% of the revenue allocated to them from the Creator Pool.
This is not 45% of:
- Every ad shown after the creator's Short
- The total worldwide Shorts advertising revenue
- The advertiser's gross campaign budget
- All views displayed in the public view counter
The 45% is applied after the monthly pool is calculated and the creator's eligible allocation is determined.
Which Views Can Earn Shorts Ad Revenue?
Only monetizing partners who have accepted the Shorts Monetization Module can earn from eligible Shorts engaged views. Eligible content must also comply with YouTube's monetization and advertiser-friendly policies.
Revenue can be excluded for:
- Shorts from creators who are not eligible or have not accepted the module
- Views earned before the module was accepted
- Shorts determined to be ineligible for monetization
- Non-original, reused, or otherwise ineligible content
- Artificial or fake viewing activity
- Views affected by certain third-party rights
- Shorts uploaded by music partners under the separate music-partner system
When Does Revenue Sharing Begin?
Revenue sharing starts from the date the creator accepts the Shorts Monetization Module. YouTube does not retroactively pay Shorts Feed ad revenue for views that occurred before acceptance.
After acceptance, eligible engaged views of Shorts on the channel can be considered for sharing, including eligible older Shorts that continue receiving views.
Shorts Feed Ads vs. Watch Page Ads
| Feature | Shorts Feed Ads | Watch Page Ads |
|---|---|---|
| Where ads appear | Between Shorts in the scrolling feed | Before, during, after, or around long-form and live videos |
| Creator calculation | Pooled revenue allocated by eligible engaged-view share | Share of net ad revenue associated with qualifying Watch Page content |
| Creator share | 45% of allocated Creator Pool revenue | 55% of net qualifying ad revenue |
| Music | Handled through pool and licensing calculations | Claims and licensing can affect the individual video's revenue |
| Required agreement | Shorts Monetization Module | Watch Page Monetization Module |
Shorts Feed Ads vs. YouTube Premium Revenue
Both revenue streams can apply to eligible Shorts under the Shorts Monetization Module, but they are funded differently:
- Shorts Feed ads: Funded by ads shown between Shorts.
- YouTube Premium: Funded by Premium membership revenue allocated to Shorts viewing.
YouTube says creators receive 45% of the net Premium revenue allocated to their Shorts as well. A portion of Premium revenue also supports music licensing.
How Does Remixed or Third-Party Content Affect Revenue?
When a Short includes qualifying remixed or third-party content, YouTube may divide the views used for allocation between the uploader and relevant third-party rights holders.
Content ownership and monetization eligibility remain separate from merely having access to a remix tool. A creator can use a permitted YouTube feature while still receiving a different revenue allocation because another party contributed protected material.
Where Can Creators See Shorts Revenue?
- Open YouTube Studio.
- Select Analytics.
- Open the Revenue tab.
- Review Shorts Feed ad revenue and estimated daily revenue when available.
- Use content-type filters or Advanced Mode for deeper comparison.
YouTube says Shorts RPM is calculated per 1,000 engaged views, reflecting the engaged-view metric used for Shorts revenue sharing.
Why Is Shorts RPM Different From Long-Form RPM?
Shorts and long-form videos use different advertising experiences and revenue-sharing systems. Shorts ads appear between videos and fund a pool, while long-form ads can appear around a particular Watch Page playback.
Do not compare the two RPM values as though they represent the same inventory, viewer intent, ad load, video length, or revenue calculation.
Can You Turn Off Shorts Feed Monetization?
YouTube says creators who no longer want to monetize Shorts views through the module can contact Creator Support to opt out of the Shorts Monetization Module.
Opting out removes future related ad and Premium earning eligibility. It does not create a per-Short switch that lets the creator selectively collect pooled revenue on only certain eligible Shorts.
Do Ads Appear Directly on a Creator's Short?
The core Shorts Feed model places ads between Shorts, not as a pre-roll attached to each individual Short. A creator can earn from the pool even when no ad appears immediately adjacent to their particular Short.
Likewise, seeing an ad after a Short does not mean that exact ad's revenue goes only to the creator whose Short was shown before it.
Common Shorts-Feed-Ad Mistakes
- Assuming the ad after a Short belongs to that Short's creator.
- Applying the 45% share to total feed ad revenue before pool allocation.
- Believing music reduces the individual creator's final 45% rate.
- Expecting retroactive revenue for views before module acceptance.
- Using public view count instead of eligible engaged views.
- Comparing Shorts RPM directly with long-form RPM.
- Ignoring geography because pools are allocated by country.
- Assuming every Short in the feed is monetization-eligible.
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Where are Shorts Feed ads shown?
They are shown between Shorts as viewers scroll the Shorts Feed.
How much of Shorts ad revenue do creators keep?
YouTube says creators receive 45% of the revenue allocated to them from the Creator Pool.
Does using music lower my 45% rate?
No. Music affects the pool calculation, but YouTube says creators receive the same 45% share of their allocation whether or not their Short uses music.
Can views before accepting the module earn later?
No. Shorts revenue sharing begins from the date the Shorts Monetization Module is accepted.