YouTube Shorts has exploded in trending popularity, offering creators a quick way to grow audiences. However, achieving monetization through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) remains challenging, even for channels with thousands of subscribers and videos. If you’re stuck wondering why your channel hasn’t met YouTube’s monetization requirements despite having 9,000 subscribers and 6,000 Shorts, here’s a detailed breakdown of potential reasons—and actionable solutions.
1. YouTube’s Monetization Requirements: What You Actually Need us
First, let’s clarify YouTube’s updated monetization criteria (as of 2023):
- 1,000 subscribers (you’ve surpassed this). Yes
- Either:
- 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months (for long-form videos). Nope
- 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. Nope
The Problem?
- Shorts-Driven Channels Struggle with Watch Hours: Even with 6,000 Shorts, Shorts views do NOT count toward the 4,000-hour watch time requirement. They only contribute to the 10 million Shorts views threshold.
- Your 10M Shorts Views Must Be Recent: If your 6,000 Shorts accumulated views over a long period (not within a 90-day window), you won’t meet the 10M Shorts benchmark.
Check Your Analytics: Go to YouTube Studio > Earn > Monetization. If the “Shorts views” progress bar isn’t filled, this is your bottleneck.
2. Shorts Content Might Lack “Watch Time” or Engagement !!
Shorts are designed for quick consumption, but YouTube still prioritizes retention and engagement. Common issues:
- Low Average View Duration: If viewers swipe away quickly, YouTube sees your content as less valuable.
- Minimal Likes, Comments, or Shares: Passive views won’t boost your channel’s authority.
- Repetitive or Low-Quality Content: Uploading thousands of similar Shorts (e.g., compilations, reused clips) can trigger YouTube’s “reused content” policy, disqualifying you.
Fix It:
- Hook viewers in the first 2 seconds.
- Encourage engagement with calls-to-action (e.g., “Like if you agree!”).
- Diversify content to avoid repetitiveness.
3. Adsense Policies: Is Your Channel “Ad-Friendly”??
Even if you meet YPP thresholds, your channel must comply with AdSense policies:
- Reused Content: Clips you don’t own (e.g., movie scenes, TikTok reposts) won’t be approved.
- Repetitious Content: 6,000 similar Shorts (e.g., “satisfying” loops) may be flagged.
- Inappropriate Content: Even mild swearing or controversial topics can hurt eligibility.
Checklist for Ad-Friendly Content:
- Originality: Film your own content or add transformative commentary.
- Value: Educate, entertain, or inspire—don’t just chase trends.
- Compliance: Avoid copyrighted music, misleading thumbnails, or sensitive topics.
4. Subscribers ≠ Active Audience 💬
Having 9,000 subscribers doesn’t guarantee an active audience. If subscribers aren’t watching your Shorts, YouTube’s algorithm won’t prioritize them.
Solutions:
- Analyze Audience Retention: Identify which Shorts perform best and replicate their style.
- Post Consistently: Shorts have a short shelf life—post daily to stay relevant.
- Cross-Promote: Share Shorts on social media or in communities to boost initial views.
5. The Algorithm Works Differently for Shorts
Shorts feed vs. long-form videos:
- Shorts Feed Relies on Swipe-Through Rates: If viewers skip your Shorts quickly, YouTube stops pushing them.
- Long-Form Videos Build Watch Time: Mixing Shorts with longer videos (8+ minutes) can help you hit the 4,000-hour requirement.
Tip: Experiment with a hybrid strategy. Use Shorts to attract subscribers, then funnel them to long-form content.
6. Technical Issues: Invalid Traffic or Policy Strikes
- Invalid Traffic: Bot views, clickbait, or misleading tags can disqualify you.
- Community Guidelines Strikes: Even one strike pauses monetization eligibility.
Action Steps:
- Review YouTube’s policies.
- Avoid buying subscribers or views.
- Delete Shorts that violate guidelines.
Final Checklist to Fix Monetization
- Check YPP Progress: Confirm if you’ve hit 10M Shorts views (last 90 days) or 4K watch hours.
- Audit Content: Remove reused/repetitive Shorts; focus on originality.
- Boost Retention: Hook viewers fast, use trending sounds, and add captions.
- Engage Your Audience: Reply to comments, create polls, and build community.
- Apply Strategically: Only apply for YPP once all criteria are met to avoid rejection delays.
Patience Pays Off
While 9,000 subscribers and 6,000 Shorts are impressive, monetization requires strategic alignment with YouTube’s evolving policies. Focus on quality over quantity, diversify your content, and keep refining your approach. The monetization milestone is within reach—just stay consistent!
Need more help? Drop your questions below, and we’ll guide you!
This post is optimized for AdSense approval by avoiding clickbait, ensuring originality, and providing actionable value. Always double-check YouTube’s latest policies, as they frequently update requirements.