With the rise of YouTube Shorts, many creators are wondering about the potential pros and cons of monetizing this new format. Shorts are brief, vertical videos that can be created and watched within the YouTube platform, and they have quickly gained popularity since their launch in late 2020. Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to monetize your YouTube Shorts in 2021.
Pros:
1. Passive Income: Monetizing your shorts means that you can earn money from them even when you’re not actively creating content. This could potentially earn you some passive income and make it easier to reach your financial goals.
2. Exposure: Monetized Shorts have a higher chance of appearing in the recommended section, leading to greater visibility and potentially attracting new viewers to your channel.
3. Flexibility: By monetizing your Shorts, you can have more control over what you produce and how you produce it. You can monetize content with a low budget and simple production, which means you can put out more videos in a shorter amount of time.
Cons:
1. Limited Earnings: Shorts payouts are currently lower than standard YouTube payouts, and the monetization threshold is higher. This means it may take a while and require a lot of views to start getting paid.
2. Unpredictable Algorithm: The YouTube Shorts algorithm is still in its early stages and there is no guarantee of where your content will be shown or who it will be shown to. This can make it difficult to plan your content and understand what is and isn’t performing well.
3. Varying Short Lifespan: Shorts require a smaller time commitment from viewers, and as a result, many viewers may not watch the entirety of the video. This can lead to a shorter lifespan for a Short compared to longer-form content. There is also no guarantee that a Short will receive long-lasting engagement, unlike a standard YouTube video.
Conclusion:
While monetizing YouTube Shorts in 2021 has its potential benefits, it may not be the best choice for everyone. Consider the potential earnings, the unpredictability of the algorithm, and the varying lifespan of Shorts before deciding on how to approach shorts monetization. As always, it’s important to create content that aligns with your passions and interests, while still being mindful of the potential financial benefits that come from monetization.