Instagram Reels vs. YouTube Shorts: Where Can Creators Make More Money?
- Elizabeth Sanate
- Nov 17, 2025
- 3 min read
Scroll through your phone for even a minute, and you’ll see creators everywhere posting quick clips. One person is cooking something experimental, another is testing a makeup trick, and someone else is filming their trip or cracking a silly joke without even meaning to. It’s just the way our feeds look these days. And most of those clips end up on Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, the two platforms everyone keeps bouncing between.
They might feel very similar, and both can easily pull you in, but when creators talk about money, they always pause and wonder which one actually pays better. It sounds like a simple question, but it never really is.
Why are creators asking the money question now?
A few years ago, short videos were mostly about going viral. Views mattered more than earnings. But today, creators want stability. They want platforms that don’t just give them fame, but also give them a real income. With new monetization rules, bonuses disappearing, and ad revenue changing every month, people are now comparing Reels and YouTube Shorts more than ever.
And honestly, the answers are surprising. So, let's dive into it more.
How earning works differently on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels made creators excited at first with bonuses and payouts. People posted every day, hoping to earn something, even if it was small. But now, those bonuses are gone in most countries. Meta shifted focus to ads, and the payments became… well, unpredictable. A reel with a million views might earn almost nothing. Creators say the money feels like luck, not effort.
YouTube Shorts, on the other hand, works more like traditional YouTube. It pays from ads, and the platform openly explains how revenue sharing works. Once creators join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), they get a percentage from ads shown between Shorts. It’s not huge, but it’s steady. And most importantly, it’s transparent.
That difference alone is why many creators are slowly moving.
The surprising truth creators discovered about YouTube Shorts
One thing creators love about YouTube Shorts is that the earnings don’t disappear overnight. A video can still make money weeks or months later if people keep watching it. On Instagram, once content stops trending, it practically dies. No reach, no income.
Creators also noticed something else:
Shorts help them grow full YouTube channels. A viral Short can push thousands of subscribers to long videos, and long videos earn more through ads. So Shorts are not just money by themselves; they open the door to bigger income.
Instagram Reels don’t offer that kind of upward path. You may go viral, but it doesn’t always translate into stable followers, and it rarely leads to long-term earnings.
What creators feel when comparing YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels side by side
Many creators love Instagram for its style, its community, and the quick engagement. But when they talk about income, they often sound tired. They say they feel seen but not supported. Reels might make you popular, but they won’t always help you pay the bills.
With YouTube Shorts, creators describe something different: a sense of security. Not huge money at the start, but a fair system that rewards consistency. Even small creators can earn something if they keep posting.
It’s not perfect, but it feels more honest.
So, where can creators really make more money? YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels
If you look at it:
Instagram Reels gives exposure, views, and fast growth, but the money is unpredictable.
YouTube Shorts gives a smaller but steady income, clearer rules, and a way to grow into long-form YouTube, where the real earnings are.
Most creators who want income, not just reach, now say YouTube Shorts is the safer bet
But the truth is, creators don’t have to choose one forever. Many use Instagram for visibility and YouTube for money. Each platform offers something different. What matters is knowing where your work gets valued, not just with likes, but with earnings that respect your time.
Keep following The ScreenLight for stories that help creators grow, one honest insight at a time.
