Look, I know getting monetized on YouTube is hard.
For long-form creators, you need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time.
But for Shorts creators? You need a jaw-dropping 10 million views in 90 days.
Most people will never hit that.
But what if I told you there’s another way to earn — one that doesn’t require monetization at all?
Introducing YouTube Shorts Music Deals
This isn’t some shady trick or sketchy revenue split.
It’s a real, AdSense-compliant way to make money: using licensed music in your Shorts.
A company called Playist Studio has a partnership with YouTube.
When you use their approved tracks in your videos, you earn money for every view, even if you’re not in the YouTube Partner Program.
And it’s legit — the payouts come straight from YouTube’s Content ID system.
How Does It Work?
- Sign up at Playist Studio (it’s free).
- Pick any song from their music catalog.
- Upload a Short using that song — ideally with 35+ seconds of music for max earnings.
- Boom. You’re eligible to earn per view.
There are no channel requirements. No need for monetization.
All you need is a video, a Playist song, and consistency.
So… how much can you make?
The RPM (revenue per 1,000 views) from these music deals is usually around $0.08 or higher — and it’s stayed consistent since March, even as YouTube has changed other monetization rules.
Here’s a quick example:
Let’s say your Short using Playist music gets 500,000 views.
With a conservative RPM of $0.08, that’s $40, just for using a song in the background.
No monetization. No brand deal. Just smart uploading.
Now for example, imagine creating multiple shorts every DAY that get 30,000 views — if a video does really well, it can easily turn into a viral hit and give you hundreds of dollars of passive income.
But Wait — There Are Rules
This isn’t a free-for-all. Playist wants you to follow a few guidelines:
- Use at least 35 seconds of their music in your Short.
- Don’t delete the video or remove the song — that stops the revenue.
- You can’t overlay other music to drown out the Playist song.
If you’re wondering how it all actually works or want a visual walkthrough, I made a video explaining the whole system:
🎥 Check out my full tutorial here — it’s detailed, honest, and answers everything:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any music in my Shorts to earn money?
No. You must use approved tracks from Playist Studio for the RPM to apply.
Will YouTube ban me for using this music?
Nope. This is 100% YouTube-compliant as long as you follow the guidelines and use the official Playist tracks.
How long does it take to get paid?
Playist processes payments monthly. You’ll get paid via PayPal or your selected method once your balance clears the threshold.
Can I use Playist music in non-Shorts videos?
The program is designed specifically for YouTube Shorts, so longer videos aren’t guaranteed to earn the same way.
Why This Actually Works (The Secret Is Content ID)
YouTube’s Content ID system allows music rights holders to earn ad revenue from videos using their songs. Playist has partnered with YouTube to share this revenue with creators — essentially turning music into a monetization tool.
Instead of claiming your video and keeping the earnings, Playist splits it with you. That’s why this method is both legit and scalable.