YouTuber Earnings: Complete Breakdown (2024)

Learn how much YouTubers make and how you can increase your earnings. Explore monetization strategies for becoming a successful YouTube creator.
hero image blog

Have you ever dreamed of creating a YouTube channel and becoming famous on this platform?

After all, making videos about a subject you're passionate about and getting paid is pretty fun, isn't it?

While it is true that some YouTubers Make a Good Living Thanks to the Income from Their Channel, it's not as easy as it seems.

Most YouTubers don't earn enough money to support themselves or their families.

So how much do YouTubers earn?

It all depends on several factors, including the number of views and subscribers, the type of content they produce, and whether or not there are ads on their videos.

In this article, I'm going to give you an overview of what YouTubers earn and how you can increase your earnings as a YouTube star.

Based on my personal experience with the YouTube channel, this can provide you with the right information to help you reach your goals.

I'll also give you a list of the YouTubers who make the most money so you can get an idea of what it takes to be successful on YouTube.

Let's get to the heart of the matter.

Being a YouTuber: Hobby or Career?

When getting started on YouTube, you need to consider whether your process of creating and uploading videos should be a hobby or a career.

To be honest, there is nothing wrong with either.

Many successful YouTubers started their channels wanting to share their passion with the world and did not expect to make money from it.

However, to become a successful YouTuber, you need to treat it like a business.

That means creating quality content on a regular basis, promoting your channel, and engaging with your audience.

It also means investing money in your chain, whether that's better equipment, editing software, or hiring a helper.

All about the YouTube Partner Program (PPY)

YouTubers earn money when ads are shown on their videos.

For that, they need to be part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)).

The YPP is a program that allows YouTubers to advertise on their videos and earn money from them.

To be eligible for the YPP, you need to have at least 4,000 hours of viewing in the past 12 months and 1,000 subscribers.

You also need to have a Google AdSense account that's directly linked to your YouTube channel.

Additionally, you must live in a region where YPP is available, your account has not been sanctioned for copyright or community policy violations, and you must follow YouTube's advertising policies.

If you meet all of these requirements, you can apply to be part of the PPJ.

When does YouTube pay its creators?

Many believe that people who watch their videos will allow them to start earning money right away.

However, that's not how it works.

YouTube pays you when people watch ads on your videos.

That means you need to have a decent number of views before you see significant gains from your ads.

Having content that gets people to click and watch your video is the first step in making money with YouTube ads.

How much does YouTube pay?

The amount you receive depends on several factors, including the video category and the type of ad (more on that later) served by the advertiser.

The category your video falls into makes a big difference.

For example, gaming, music, and sports videos tend to get higher ad rates than other videos.

Regardless of the industry you work in, an important factor that can have a negative impact on the amount of money earned on YouTube is whether or not people have ad blockers when watching videos.

It is estimated that more Of 40% of people Use ad blockers, which means that these people don't generate any revenue for the YouTuber.

Furthermore, with the introduction of YouTube Premium, some viewers watch videos without ads, which reduces revenue potential for YouTubers who rely on video ads.

In this context, the average YouTube channel earns between 2 and 12 dollars for 1,000 views of His videos.

It may not sound like much, but if your video is seen by millions of people, it can quickly add up to a decent income.

Of course, the more popular your videos are, the more likely you are to profit from them.

Another way of looking at it is from a quantitative point of view.

If you can make videos and publish them at regular intervals, you'll not only be able to grow your channel, but you'll also be much more likely to start earning income from it.

If you produce quality content, you can also increase your subscribers and get more views on your videos.

As you can see, everything is connected.

The growth of YouTube and its effect on monetization

Another factor to consider is that growth across any marketing channel is generally never linear.

That means there will be ups and downs in terms of views and revenue.

Several factors can have an impact on this point, such as algorithm changes, seasonality, competition, etc.

That's why having a long-term perspective is critical to growing your YouTube channel.

YouTube ad types

YouTube offers various types of ads that advertisers can use.

Skippable In-Stream Ads

They are used at the start, during, or after the videos, and viewers have the option of skipping them after 5 seconds.

It's the most common type of YouTube ad, and it's also the least intrusive as viewers can choose to ignore them if they want to.

Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads

As the name suggests, viewers can't skip these ads, which last a maximum of 15 seconds.

Since they're not “skippable,” they tend to be more expensive for advertisers.

At the same time, since viewers cannot skip them, there is a greater chance that they will watch the commercial.

In-Feed Video Ads

This type of ad may appear alongside related YouTube videos, as part of a YouTube search result, or on the YouTube mobile home page.

They blend in with the rest of YouTube's content, and advertisers are only charged when site visitors click on the thumbnail to watch the video.

Bumper Ads

Intercalary advertising is a type of pre-roll video that is 6 seconds or less long and is shown before, during, or after another YouTube video.

The viewer does not have the option of skipping advertising, making it an ideal tool for quick, attention-grabbing messages.

Outstream Ads

Streaming ads are video ads that appear on sites other than YouTube that are part of Google's video partners.

Masthead Ads

“Masthead” ads are the largest and most visible type of ad on YouTube.

Available only through a Google sales representative, they are used by major brands to get maximum visibility and reach on YouTube.

Other ways to make money on YouTube

While YouTube content creators can make money from ad revenue, there are other ways to monetize their channels.

Features like Super Chat, Stickers, Subscriptions, and Channel Memberships can help.

These features allow fans to directly support their favorite YouTubers, and the person can earn more money than through ads.

Some YouTubers even create Patreon accounts, where their fans can pledge a monthly amount to help support the creation of new videos.

There are also other methods that do not involve the YouTube platform.

For example, some YouTubers use their platform to sell products or services.

That they Create an online course And use YouTube videos to present content and show the value they can bring within their paid course, or whether they have a E-commerce store and using YouTube as a channel to drive traffic to their website, there are several ways for YouTubers to monetize their business.

Others work with brands on sponsored content, using either an affiliate model or a sponsorship model.

With a model of Affiliate marketing, the YouTuber receives a commission for each product sold via their unique link.

Under a sponsorship model, the YouTuber receives a lump sum or a percentage of the total campaign budget to feature the brand in their video.

Many YouTube stars also make money from live events and merchandise.

Whether it's about using Webinar Platforms To host their events and conventions or to sell T-shirts, caps, and other brand merchandise, there are several ways for YouTubers to earn money outside of advertising.

The Highest Paid YouTubers

After covering all the ways YouTubers can make money, you might be wondering who are the highest paid YouTubers.

Here are the top ten YouTube winners:

Other notable mentions include Dude Perfect And Rhett & Link, both of which have millions of subscribers.

Looking at these numbers, you might think that becoming a million-dollar YouTuber (or more) seems like a utopia.

While it's a challenge, it's certainly not impossible.

The list above shows a diverse group of people who make a very good living doing what they love.

The Most Successful YouTube Niches to Make Money

It is a fact that some niches are more lucrative than others.

So, if you're looking to start a YouTube channel and want to maximize your earning potential, here are some of the most successful niches for making money.

Gaming

Since many identify with the identity of the players, the right influencer in this niche is passionate about their hobby.

So there's a lot of potential money to be made on YouTube.

With video views and watching time for popular skyrocketing games, there's no shortage of opportunities for the right person.

From PC video games to mobile games, this industry has a lot of money to make.

Celebrity News

Comparable to other social media networks in terms of advertising revenue, celebrity gossip YouTube channels can make a lot of money.

The number of ad displays on celebrity gossip channels is often high, and with vlogs, interviews, and other types of content, there's plenty of content to create for the right person.

Lifehacks

Another important niche for YouTube revenue, “lifehack” videos are famous all over the world.

Many YouTubers make a full-time living creating useful content in this genre.

Popularized by TikTok and other social media platforms, the potential is huge for those who can tap into this market.

News

With a high CPM and CPC due to the nature of the content, news channels can make a lot of money on YouTube.

If you have a knack for presenting the latest news in an engaging way, this niche has potential for you.

Personal finance

Many people want to improve their personal finances, and a successful YouTube channel that allows this topic to be a lucrative opportunity.

There are lots of ways to monetize a YouTube channel devoted to personal finance.

Creators generally get paid well when advertisers run ads on their channels.

Additionally, affiliate marketing in this niche can involve anything from recommending the best credit cards for a specific business, to the latest tax applications, and more.

Another angle you could take would be reducing and cancelling debts.

If you have a passion for helping people save money and get out of debt, this could be a great niche.

Chess Compilations

Although it is more humorous, the advertising revenue of these channels can be significant.

The video content on these channels is often easy to produce, and there is always an audience that spends a lot of time watching failed videos.

Top X Lists

Aside from the advertising potential of these channels, there are other ways to monetize a top-tier X list channel.

Whether it's joining a channel that provides access to exclusive benefits and discounts or recommending various products, the products you recommend in your videos can earn money for the content creator.

Food Reviews

Food-related YouTube channels can become a full-time job for the right creator and be very profitable.

With the various collaborations that can be made with restaurants and other brands, there are a lot of potential gains to be made in this niche.

It's also possible to address various sub-categories in this sector, so content ideas will never be hard to find.

Makeup Tutorials

With numerous product recommendations available on Amazon and other avenues, the average YouTuber who specializes in makeup tutorials can make a decent living.

Some of the most popular YouTubers in this field include James Charles, Jeffree Star, and Nikkie Tutorials.

As you can see from the top 10 above, two of YouTube's biggest winners are in the makeup niche.

This means that while there is competition in this space, new YouTubers can still take advantage of this type of content.

Those who are creative in their content and passionate about showcasing people can succeed in this niche.

Practical demonstrations

YouTube creators who specialize in hands-on demonstrations can quickly find themselves with a loyal, engaged audience.

There are many topics that can be covered in this genre, from gardening to car repair to home improvement.

This could be a perfect niche for you if you have a passion for teaching and if you can make complex topics easy to understand.

Because people look for videos like these when they have real problems, the time it takes to watch your content can skyrocket.

Fun animal activities

Funny cat videos... It's the first thing that comes to mind when a lot of people think of YouTube.

The average YouTuber can take any video content shot with their phone and turn it into a hilarious compilation that will keep people asking for more.

The more creative your content is, the more likely you are to succeed in this niche.

Also, those who manage to make people feel emotions while presenting cute animals will succeed in this space.

Unpacking products (especially children's toys)

Another niche that lends itself well to affiliate marketing and promotions is product unboxing videos.

Ryan Kaji (Ryan's World) is the perfect example of a ten-year-old who became famous by unpacking and evaluating children's toys.

With a number of subscribers in the order of 100 million and more, the net worth of YouTubers in this niche can be quite high.

Other channels like”Like Nastya“are excellent examples of this.

It's the ideal option if you have young children and are looking for a way to bring out their creative side while earning money on YouTube.

Summary.

While not all YouTube niches are created the same way, the earning potential of YouTubers has increased dramatically in recent years.

Making videos is as easy as taking your phone out of your pocket and filming.

That said, it's important to remember that becoming a successful YouTuber takes hard work, dedication, and luck.

If you're considering starting a YouTube channel, make sure you're ready to put in the time and effort needed to make it a success.

Treating it like a business is very helpful.

Who knows?

You could be one of the highest paid YouTubers in a few years, earning an impressive amount of money doing something you love.

Further reading: Knowing how the YouTube studio works is crucial for any YouTuber who is learning how to make money on this platform.

Additionally, if you're planning on streaming live on YouTube, the Good Streaming Software Will allow you to broadcast a high-quality stream that will arouse the interest of your viewers.

Finally, here are various Alternatives to YouTube That can help you get your video marketing message out to a wider audience than the one on YouTube.

profil auteur de stephen MESNILDREY
Stephen MESNILDREY
Digital & MarTech Innovator

Your time is valuable... imagine:

Doubling your productivity in 30 days...Cutting operational costs by 40%...Increasing your ROI by 25% in 6 months...

Sounds too good to be true? Yet:

  • ✅ 71,000+ executives have seen their growth soar by 35% on average
  • ✅ 5 years guiding startups to success (valued at $20M+)
  • ✅ 100,000+ professionals draw inspiration from my articles every month

Want to stay ahead of the curve? You're in the right place! 💡

📩 Subscribe to my newsletter and receive weekly:

  • 👉 1 high-impact, ready-to-use strategy
  • 👉 2 in-depth analyses of transformative SaaS tools
  • 👉 3 practical AI applications for your industry

The journey starts now... and it's going to be extraordinary! 🚀

🔗 DISCLOSURE ON AFFILIATE LINKS
Our strict policy prohibits any recommendations based solely on commercial agreements. These links can generate a commission at no additional cost to you if you opt for a paid plan. These brands - tested and approved 👍 - contribute to maintaining this free content and keeping this website alive 🌐

For more details, see our editorial process complete updated on 01/08/2024.