YouTube Shorts, the short vertical videos on YouTube, are becoming a very important way for creators and artists to make money. These videos are usually less than a minute long, but they are quickly earning more money per watch hour than the longer, traditional videos that people have been uploading for years. This shows that short videos are not just for fun or for getting new followers anymore. They are now a serious way to earn income on YouTube.

Shorts Are Earning More Than Long Videos

Alphabet, the company that owns YouTube, shared its latest earnings report and revealed that Shorts now generate more money per watch hour than long videos in the United States. These short videos were originally YouTube’s answer to TikTok, a platform known for its quick, catchy clips. At first, many people thought Shorts were just for entertainment, but now they are proving to be more profitable than many long videos.

To put this into perspective, Alphabet made over $100 billion in total revenue for the first time. YouTube alone earned $10.3 billion from ads in the third quarter of 2025. This was 15% more than the same quarter last year. These numbers show that YouTube is not only popular but also a major source of money for the company, and Shorts are playing a big role in that success.

YouTube Music and Subscriptions Are Growing

Besides ad revenue, YouTube is also making a lot of money from subscription services like YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV. In the same quarter, these services earned $12.9 billion, which is 21% higher than last year. While Google did not share the exact number of subscribers for each service, it did say that all paid subscriptions across Google have now passed 300 million. A big part of this growth comes from YouTube Premium and Google One. Earlier in March 2025, YouTube reported 125 million paid users for YouTube Music and Premium combined.

Google’s Chief Business Officer, Phillip Schindler, explained that paid users bring in more money than free users. However, YouTube still supports both paid and free accounts so that everyone can access the platform. This combination of free and paid users makes YouTube a strong platform for creators to reach many viewers while also earning money.

Big Payouts for Music Creators

YouTube has also become a major platform for musicians. Between July 2024 and June 2025, YouTube paid $8 billion to music rights holders. This is almost as much as Spotify, which paid $10 billion in 2024. For musicians, this is important because it shows that YouTube is not just a place to share songs for exposure—it is a place where they can earn serious income. Shorts also help musicians promote their music and reach new audiences, which can increase their earnings even more.

Why Shorts Are Important for Creators

Shorts are changing the way creators make money on YouTube. Posting short videos regularly can earn more revenue per watch hour than posting long videos. For creators who want to make money consistently, this is a huge opportunity.

Shorts also allow creators to experiment with content, reach new audiences quickly, and even promote their music or products in a small, easy-to-watch format. Combined with YouTube’s payments to music rights holders, Shorts have become an important part of many creators’ income.

Final Words

The growth of Shorts shows that short-form content is becoming the future of YouTube. For musicians and creators who want to earn money online, posting Shorts is now more valuable than ever. YouTube continues to provide many ways for creators to earn, including ads, subscriptions, and music payouts. Those who post consistently and use Shorts wisely are likely to benefit the most from this trend.

Shorts are no longer just fun or for discovery—they are a real way to make money. For creators and artists who adapt to this new trend, YouTube offers an exciting opportunity to reach audiences and earn a sustainable income.