With constant changes to YouTube Shorts monetization and the introduction of TikTok Creator Rewards program, it’s hard to tell which platform is better for monetizing short-form content. So, let’s unpack and compare both models.
1. YouTube Shorts
Since YouTube had introduced 3 minute YouTube Shorts in 2024, the platform had started banking on this feature even more than before. YouTube has been integrating Shorts more in home feeds, on creator channels, and even showing them more and more in the Suggested tab.
It seems like an encouragement to make more multi-format videos. But what about monetization from short-form YouTube content?
Since February 2023, YouTube monetizes Shorts through a pooled ad revenue system. Every creator in the Partner Program (1K subs + 10M Shorts views in 90 days) shares in ad revenue from the Shorts feed. But it’s not linear.
How it works:
- YouTube collects ad revenue from Shorts.
- A portion goes to music licensing.
- Remaining funds are pooled and distributed based on watch time share.
Shorts Monetization in 2025: What’s Really Going On
YouTube Shorts don’t work like long-form. There’s no CPM here. That stat you’re used to, which is how much advertisers pay per 1,000 views, doesn’t apply.
What matters is RPM: Revenue Per Mille. That’s how much you earn per 1,000 views, after YouTube takes its cut. And with the way ads run on Shorts (pooled revenue, music licensing, view share), it’s a different ballgame.
So, what do the numbers actually say?
What RPM Can You Expect from Shorts in 2025?
We pulled data from thousands of AIR creators. Big channels, small channels, niche-specific, and Shorts-heavy. Here’s what Shorts RPM looks like in real life:
Top Countries by Shorts RPM (2025):
- United States – $0.328
- Switzerland – $0.205
- Australia – $0.193
- South Korea – $0.185
- United Kingdom – $0.166
- Canada – $0.165
- Germany – $0.163
- Hong Kong – $0.147
- Japan – $0.144
- Taiwan – $0.140
- Austria – $0.135
- New Zealand – $0.113
But these aren't the only plays on the board. There are over a hundred more with lower RPMs.
Low RPM ≠ Low Opportunity
The thing is that views scale faster in high-volume countries. So even if the RPM looks low, the total revenue can still add up.
Big View Markets, Lower RPMs:
- India – $0.008
- Indonesia – $0.012
- Brazil – $0.045
- Philippines – $0.023
- Mexico – $0.040
- Turkey – $0.024
- France – $0.102
We’ve seen creators earn more from Brazil than from the U.S., just off volume. That’s why going both ways can work: high-RPM geos for monetization, high-view geos for growth.
Will YouTube Shorts RPM Improve Over Time?
It already has.
Since the Shorts monetization system launched, RPMs have climbed. YouTube is giving advertisers more placement options, more tracking data, and better engagement signals, all of which help push the numbers up.
No, Shorts won’t match long-form CPM anytime soon. But you’re also not spending 12 hours editing a 2-minute clip. And hitting a million views on a Short? Way easier than on a 10-minute doc.
Small RPM + massive reach = real revenue. Especially if your Shorts convert into long-form viewers or brand deal traffic.
More Ways to Earn from Shorts (That Aren’t Just RPM)
Shorts don’t pay out like long-form, but they drive the kind of traffic that does.
YouTube Shorts now pull in 200 billion views daily Over 2 billion people watch Shorts monthly
That’s a volume engine.
Use Shorts to pull viewers into your higher-CPM content. YouTube now makes this easy, with direct linking between Shorts and long-form, playlist auto-suggestions, and smarter channel navigation UI.
If your Shorts hit, the spillover can bring serious watch time to your main uploads.
And now there’s something new: Shopping Stickers.
They’re rolling out globally after boosting product clicks by 40% in U.S. tests. That means you can link to your merch, products, or affiliate offers right inside your Shorts.
Think about that for a second…
A 15-second video can now do triple duty: grow your channel, feed your long-form, and push sales. All from the same clip.
If you're not experimenting with this yet, it is time.
2. TikTok Creator Rewards
The previous system which was called Creator Fund worked somewhat similar to the current YouTube Shorts monetization model. However, in 2024, the system saw a major overhaul and the introduction of the TikTok Creator Rewards program (that works, for now, only in select countries). The differences between the two are almost astonishing.
How it works now:
- Videos that qualify need to be over 1 minute.
- RPMs now range from $0.40 to $1.00+, depending on niche and geography.
- It's not pooled. TikTok pays per video performance, which is similar to how the monetization of long-form YouTube videos work.
TikTok has finally figured out monetization that scales with value. But it favors educational, storytelling, or performance-driven content that holds attention beyond the swipe.
More Ways to Earn from TikTok (If You Qualify)
TikTok’s Creator Rewards program isn’t the only monetization lane anymore. There is more to this system, so for a more detailed overview consult this article.
Additional Rewards
If you’re part of Creator Rewards, TikTok adds bonuses for high-performing, high-quality content. It’s reach, retention, engagement, and niche depth. It stacks up fast.
TikTok Series
Put your best stuff behind a paywall. You can bundle up to 80 videos, charge for access, and finally get paid for educational or storytelling content.
This lane needs 10K followers and a few other smaller things to qualify, but once approved, the TikTok series runs like a well-oiled machine.
Livestream + Virtual Gifts
Still works. Creators with dedicated audiences go live daily and pull in consistent income from emoji gifts and paid shoutouts. It’s simple, loyal-audience money.
TikTok Shop + Affiliates
TikTok’s affiliate system is now fully integrated. Add product links to your videos, keep it clean and trust-based, and earn commission from every click. Works with any audience size.
AIR Partners Hit 125+ Billion Views
Looking for a boost? Get an expert YouTube channel audit to unlock hidden growth spots!
3. Comparing the Two: Shorts vs TikTok in 2025
So, which one actually pays better? Which one should you bet on?
The short answer is: TikTok pays more per view. YouTube pays more long-term. But that’s not the full answer, so let’s break it down.
RPM head-to-head:
If you're in TikTok's Creator Rewards program, you might see $0.40 to $1.00+ RPM. YouTube Shorts? Usually between $0.02 and $0.30. That’s a massive gap. But TikTok’s entry rules are tighter, and it favors longer videos (1 min+). No easy money here.
Volume engine vs. value engine:
YouTube Shorts is a traffic funnel. It drives subs, boosts long-form views (with way better CPM), feeds into brand deals, and now even sells products with Shopping Stickers. It’s a full ecosystem. TikTok is still mostly discovery-based. Strong for reach, but limited in what you can build on top.
Monetization stacking:
YouTube gives you passive ad revenue, affiliate links, shopping integrations, long-form upsells, and more, all from the same content base.
TikTok rewards creators who go all in. Series, Lives, Gifts, Shop. But these require structure, community, and high-effort content to really convert.
Which one wins?
You don’t have to pick sides. Post on both. But if you want a stable, multi-stream revenue model that grows with you, then YouTube Shorts is the better long game.
If you’re testing new ideas, growing fast, or building out a storytelling format, then TikTok will reward you faster (especially with >1 min videos).
Play both, but play them smart.
4. Where Should Creators Bet in 2025?
We have seen thousands of channels try to bank on one or the other. However, the approach that works best for the top creators is as follows:
- Volume strategy. Best build for YouTube Shorts. However, to receive even better results stack monetization layers (brand deals, affiliates, funnel to long-form).
- Narrative content. Go all-in on TikTok’s >60s format. RPM is higher, and storytelling holds attention longer.
- Global strategy. Test translated metadata and localized Shorts (on YouTube), then compare RPM by region. TikTok is also strong in certain EU and LATAM markets.
- Combining approaches. If you want to maximize your revenue potential, combining the two is the smartest approach.
Monetization is a system. Shorts and TikTok are just parts of it. Want help building one that pays, grows, and lasts? We’re already doing it with creators who’ve moved beyond the “fund” mentality. Let’s talk.
Channel
