YouTube Rolls Out a $100 Million Short‑Video Cash Drought
Alphabet’s streaming titan YouTube has just dropped a hefty $100 million fund—roughly SG$133 million—to pay creators whose Shorts videos get the biggest thumbs‑up. The aim? Lock down the next wave of flashy influencers.
When Will the Money Stream?
The initiative kicks off in the coming months and will reward creators for 2021 and 2022. Think of it as a “big‑scores‑big‑pay” system: the more engagement your clip grabs, the bigger your paycheck.
Short‑Form Craze: Why Everyone’s Going Cold‑Battered
- Short, punchy videos (15‑60 sec) are the hottest ticket, a TikTok‑inspired trend that’s spread like wildfire.
- Creators spin quick comedy skits, dance beats, and quirky challenges that go viral in minutes.
- Higher views = higher rewards; YouTube’s new fund builds on that.
Sponsored by the Big Bucks
YouTube isn’t alone in this money‑mania. TikTok launched its creator fund in July and later pumped up to $1 billion in the U.S. over three years, while Snapchat offers $1 million a day for Spotlight’s top posts. The competition is heating up.
Ads on the Short‑Track
Alongside the fund, YouTube is testing ads on Shorts—users scrape through their feeds and see an ad, which helps keep the pay‑out engine running smoothly.
Bottom line: with a $100 million splash and fresh ad revenue, YouTube wants to be the go‑to spot for short‑form stardom, turning every scroll into a chance to make a real‑world paycheck.
