Shorts Fund

YouTube announced it in 2021 and described it from the start as a first step towards a proper Shorts monetisation model, so the wind-down was planned rather than a reversal. Payments went out monthly to thousands of creators based on their Shorts views and engagement, no Partner Programme membership required, and they arrived as a bonus rather than a share of anything specific.

Revenue sharing took over in early 2023 and works on different mechanics: ad money from the Shorts feed is pooled, music licensing is paid out of that pool, and creators take a portion based on their share of total Shorts views. Anyone quoting old Shorts Fund payouts as a guide to Shorts earnings is quoting a scheme that no longer exists.