The Future of Monetization and Advertising on YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts have become an essential part of the video-sharing platform, providing creators with a quick and engaging way to share content with their audience. However, the current state of YouTube Shorts does not include advertisements on short videos. This article delves into the current situation and potential future developments in monetization and advertising on YouTube Shorts.
Current Status of Advertisements on YouTube Shorts
As of now, YouTube does not permit advertisements on short videos within the Shorts feature. The Shorts are specifically designed to be short and fast, with no ads to interrupt the creator's content or viewers' experience. The lack of ads on Shorts ensures a seamless user experience, which is crucial for a format that is meant to be quick and engaging.
Monetization for Short Video Creators
Despite the absence of ads, YouTube has introduced the YouTube Shorts Fund, a remarkable initiative aimed at financially rewarding creators of engaging content. This fund, amounting to 100 Million 10 Crore (approximately $12.5 million), was distributed over the course of 2020 and 2021. The fund has benefitted thousands of creators whose Shorts received high engagement and views, rewarding their contributions to the YouTube community.
According to YouTube, every month, they reach out to creators whose Shorts have performed exceptionally well to reward them. Anyone can participate in the Shorts Fund by simply creating unique and delightful Shorts that garner attention. This initiative marks the first step in building a monetization model for Shorts on YouTube, with the potential for more monetization features in the near future.
Ad Display Rules for YouTube Shorts
Ads on Short Shelf Shorts
YouTube Shorts viewed from the short shelf do not have ads associated with them. The Shorts feature is designed to provide a fast, uninterrupted experience for users, and ads would disrupt this experience. However, for Shorts viewed from a PC or through conventional means, ads can be displayed. This means that the Short shelf itself does not influence monetization, but ads can be shown if a user accesses Shorts in a different manner.
Watch Time and Engagement
Watch time for Shorts viewed from the short shelf does not count. This is a deliberate design choice to maintain the quick and engaging nature of the Shorts format. Users expect a fleeting, fast-paced experience, and it would be counterproductive to track their engagement metrics in the same way as long-form videos. However, if a Short is accessed through a different channel, then its watch time does count, and it may also be eligible to display ads.
Conclusion
The future of YouTube Shorts looks promising, with the Shorts Fund being a testament to the platform's commitment to rewarding creators. As YouTube continues to expand its monetization options, the potential for ads on Shorts and other innovative revenue streams will undoubtedly emerge. For now, creators can focus on creating engaging content that resonates with the YouTube community and optimize their performance for the Shorts Fund.
To stay updated with the latest information, be sure to check the YouTube blog. Stay tuned for future announcements on monetization and advertising for YouTube Shorts!