Why a Shorts Creator Who Made 1 Billion in a Year Warns Against View-Based Monetization

The original author is @sexyguy on X, and this article faithfully summarizes a YouTube interview discussed in that post. A creator born in 2000 reportedly earned a cumulative 10억 (1 billion, currency unit unstated in the post) in one year after starting Shorts as a side business, and the core of the post is how that creator breaks down Shorts monetization — plus why view-based revenue is discouraged for beginners. Figures such as earnings and career length are claims relayed by the original post.

Image source: @sexyguy on X

The post breaks Shorts income into five models. First, view-based revenue; second, shopping Shorts with affiliate links such as Coupang Partners or Olive Young stickers attached to videos; third, brand-sponsored PPL advertising; fourth, promoting one's own main business to drive sales; and fifth, producing Shorts for other people as a paid service.

According to the post, channels that attract strong advertising deals can receive over 1억 (100 million, currency unit unstated in the post) for a single video, but that level is described as influencer-tier with at least one million followers. Except for view-based revenue, the other four models share one trait: they must be built up steadily over time.

Why the easiest-looking option gets the strongest warning

Of the five options, the post most strongly warns beginners away from view-based monetization, which looks like the easiest path. The wording is emphatic: the author would strongly talk even family members or acquaintances out of it.

The reason is tied to YouTube rule changes. The post describes the old entry point as 1,000 subscribers plus 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. The acquired excerpt cuts off at that point, so this article does not carry forward the later account-market or review claims.

As separate context, a Maeil Business Newspaper report (mk.co.kr) said YouTube announced a YouTube Partner Program (YPP) revision applying to new creators starting February 1 of the following year: valid watch hours over the most recent 12 months (365 days) from 4,000 to 8,000, and valid 90-day Shorts views from 10 million to 20 million. That context is included only to help readers understand the "rules changed" point.

What beginners should take away

• Do not start with view-based revenue. That is the post's strongest warning.
• Choose from the compounding models — shopping affiliates, PPL, promoting your own business, or production services — based on your situation.
• The news report is only separate context about higher entry thresholds for new creators.
• Treat the cited PPL rates and follower counts as top-tier cases, not as typical outcomes.

Original source

• Original post by @sexyguy: The thing the person who made 1 billion in a year advises against
• YouTube interview referenced in the post: the 'Dondoehwa' video mentioned as the source in the original post (title about earning 1 billion in a year as a side business)
• Maeil Business Newspaper report: Making money with YouTube Shorts gets twice as hard