YouTube’s payment system is based on several factors, so how much a YouTuber earns can vary widely depending on the following key elements:
1. Ad Revenue (YouTube Partner Program)
The primary way YouTubers earn money is through ads shown on their videos. To qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), creators need to have:
- At least 1,000 subscribers.
- 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months.
- An AdSense account linked to the channel.
Once a creator is eligible for YPP, they start earning a share of the revenue generated from ads shown on their videos.
Ad Revenue Breakdown:
- CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions): YouTubers are typically paid based on CPM, which is the amount advertisers pay for 1,000 ad impressions. The CPM rate can vary greatly depending on the type of content, the location of the viewers, and the advertiser demand.
- Average CPM rates range from $1 to $10 per 1,000 views, but this can vary.
- For example, a gaming or general entertainment channel might have a lower CPM, while a finance or technology channel could have a higher CPM due to the value of its audience to advertisers.
- CPC (Cost Per Click): YouTube also offers CPC ads (where advertisers pay when viewers click on ads). These can also contribute to a creator’s earnings.
- Ad Types: Revenue can come from different ad formats like display ads, skippable video ads, non-skippable video ads, bumper ads, and more.
2. YouTube Premium Revenue
YouTube Premium is a subscription service where users pay to watch ad-free content. Creators earn a share of the subscription fee based on how much of their content is watched by Premium members.
- The amount earned from YouTube Premium depends on how popular a creator’s videos are among YouTube Premium subscribers.
3. Super Chats & Super Stickers (for live streams)
During live streams, viewers can purchase Super Chats (highlighted messages) and Super Stickers to support creators. These are a direct form of revenue that creators receive during live events.
4. Channel Memberships
Creators with more than 30,000 subscribers can offer Channel Memberships, where viewers pay a monthly fee (usually $4.99) to get perks such as exclusive badges, emojis, and other content.
- Creators typically receive 70% of the membership fee, with YouTube taking the remaining 30%.
5. Merchandise Shelf
Creators with at least 10,000 subscribers can use the merchandise shelf to sell their own merchandise (such as T-shirts, hats, etc.) directly on YouTube. YouTube partners with companies like Teespring, Spreadshop, and others for this feature.
6. Sponsorships
Many creators also earn money through sponsorships from brands. This can be a significant source of income and is negotiated directly between the creator and the sponsor. The terms vary widely depending on the creator’s niche, audience size, and engagement.
- For example, a YouTuber with 1 million subscribers might earn $5,000 to $50,000 or more per sponsored video, while smaller channels with 100,000 subscribers may earn $500 to $5,000 per sponsored video, depending on niche and engagement.
How Much Can YouTube Pay?
For smaller channels with modest views, revenue can be quite low:
- A channel with 10,000 views per month could make anywhere from $10 to $50 in ad revenue, depending on CPM.
For larger, more successful channels:
- A channel with 100,000 views per month might make $100 to $500 in ad revenue.
- A creator with 1 million views per month could potentially earn $1,000 to $10,000 in ad revenue.
Top YouTubers who get millions of views per day, like MrBeast or PewDiePie, can make tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per month from ad revenue alone, in addition to sponsorships, merchandise sales, and other streams.
Factors Affecting YouTube Payments:
- Audience Engagement: Channels with highly engaged audiences (lots of likes, comments, shares) often attract higher-paying ads.
- Content Type: Channels that cater to high-demand niches (like finance, technology, and business) tend to have higher CPM rates compared to those in more general categories (like vlogging or gaming).
- Geography: Views from countries like the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia generally lead to higher ad revenue than views from other countries.
- Ad Blockers: If a significant portion of a creator’s audience uses ad blockers, it can decrease potential ad revenue.
Conclusion:
In summary, YouTube payment can vary greatly depending on the creator’s audience, content type, and revenue sources. Smaller channels may earn a modest income from ads, while larger channels can make substantial money through ads, memberships, sponsorships, and merchandise. If you’re starting out, it’s likely you’ll earn a smaller amount, but with growth and additional monetization strategies, creators can make a full-time income or more.
