Introduction

Have you ever wondered how much money YouTubers make? In the early days of YouTube, creating videos was purely a hobby. However, as the platform has grown exponentially, so have the opportunities for financial gain. Today, YouTube has become a major source of income for many people, bringing in impressive annual earnings that rival those of traditional jobs.

The purpose of this article is to help you understand how YouTube creators earn money and what factors contribute to their success. We will explore a range of topics related to YouTube monetization, including trends in earnings by category, the ethics of YouTube earnings, and the values and goals behind the pursuit of monetization. Let’s dive in!

Who are the top-earning YouTubers?

At the top of the YouTube earning pyramid are a select few creators who have found unprecedented success and financial stability through their videos. According to Forbes’ estimates for 2020, the top ten highest-earning YouTubers are:

• Ryan Kaji ($29.5 million)
• Mr. Beast ($24 million)
• Dude Perfect ($23 million)
• Rhett and Link ($20 million)
• Markiplier ($19.5 million)
• Preston Arsement ($19 million)
• Nastya ($18.5 million)
• Blippi ($17 million)
• David Dobrik ($15.5 million)
• Jeffree Star ($15 million)

It’s important to note that these earnings are not solely from ad revenue. In fact, many top-earning YouTubers have multiple sources of income, including sponsorships, merchandise sales, and investments in other businesses. For example, Ryan Kaji earns the bulk of his income through Ryan’s World, a children’s toy and clothing brand that was started and developed by his family.

So, how do these top-earning YouTubers make money? Let’s take a closer look at the different income streams that contribute to their success.

How much do YouTubers make by category?

Average earnings for YouTube creators depend on a range of factors, such as the size and engagement of their audience, their niche or category, and the type of content they produce. However, some data has emerged that can give us a rough idea of what to expect in terms of income as a YouTube creator.

According to a recent survey by SocialBlade, the average YouTube creator earns between $0.01 and $0.03 per view. This means that for every thousand views on a video, a creator can expect to earn between $10 and $30. However, this is just an average, and the actual earnings per view can vary widely depending on ad rates and other factors.

So, how do earnings differ by category? According to data from Forbes, some of the highest-earning categories on YouTube include:

• Gaming
• Beauty
• Vlogging
• Comedy

In each of these categories, creators who consistently produce engaging and high-quality content can earn significant amounts of money. For example, beauty YouTuber Jeffree Star, who was ranked tenth on Forbes’ list of high-earning YouTubers, has made a fortune from his cosmetics company, Jeffree Star Cosmetics.

Of course, not every video in these categories will be a viral hit, and not every creator will make millions of dollars. But by focusing on their niche, building a loyal audience, and staying consistent, creators in these categories can create a sustainable income stream and potentially grow their earnings over time.

Profile of a successful YouTuber

What does it take to become a successful YouTube creator? To answer this question, we can look at the career of a specific YouTuber who has achieved notable success. One example is Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, who has built a massive following from his videos about consumer electronics and technology.

Brownlee started his channel in 2009 and has since amassed over 13 million subscribers and 1.6 billion views. He emphasizes the importance of producing high-quality videos that offer value to the viewer, saying that “the most important thing is making sure that the content you’re making is actually good and actually valuable and actually interesting to people.”

Another key factor in Brownlee’s success is his authenticity and relatability. He is open and honest with his viewers, frequently interacts with them on social media, and maintains a consistent brand across all his channels.

In terms of income, Brownlee reportedly makes a significant portion of his earnings from sponsorships and brand deals. He has worked with companies like Google, Intel, and Verizon to promote their products in his videos.

What can other YouTubers learn from Brownlee’s success? Above all, they should focus on creating content that provides value to their audience, while also staying true to their own unique perspectives and personalities. By being authentic and transparent, they can earn the trust and loyalty of their viewers, which can translate into financial success over time.

Critique of the ethics of YouTube earnings

While YouTube earnings can be a source of financial stability and freedom for creators, they can also raise ethical concerns. Some critics argue that the pursuit of monetization can lead to a commodification of personal content and exploitation of child audiences. Others say that corporate interests and biases can distort the content that is promoted and rewarded on the platform.

One example of the potential negative consequences of YouTube’s monetization system is the controversy over child exploitation on the platform. In recent years, YouTube has faced criticism for allowing inappropriate content targeted at children, as well as videos that feature children in exploitative situations. Some have argued that the profit motive of creators and advertisers has contributed to this problem, as creators seek to monetize content that targets young audiences.

Another issue is the conflict between creativity and commercialization. As creators become more financially successful, they may be pressured to produce content that is formulaic, generic, or targeted purely at the widest possible audience, rather than their own unique perspective.

These issues raise important questions about the role of YouTube in society, as well as the values and goals of creators who are pursuing monetization on the platform. We will explore these questions further in the following section.

Opinion piece on the values and goals of YouTube monetization

As YouTube monetization has grown in popularity and scale, it has become an increasingly complex and nuanced topic for creators and audiences alike. While earning money from creative work can be incredibly rewarding and liberating, it can also raise difficult ethical questions, as well as potential conflicts between commercial and creative interests.

Ultimately, the values and goals of monetization on YouTube will depend on each individual creator’s perspective and approach. Some may prioritize financial stability and growth, while others may prioritize creative expression and authenticity. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

However, it’s important to recognize that the pursuit of money can sometimes lead to undesirable outcomes, such as loss of creative freedom, exploitation of vulnerable audiences, or the creation of content that perpetuates harmful stereotypes or biases. By taking a critical and reflective approach to their own values and goals, creators can navigate the complex landscape of YouTube monetization while staying true to their principles and vision.

As viewers and consumers, we can also play a role in supporting creators who prioritize authenticity and values. By engaging with and promoting diverse voices on the platform, we can help to create a YouTube ecosystem that rewards creativity and human connection, rather than mere profit.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has provided insights into the world of YouTube earnings, including the methods through which creators earn money, the trends in earnings by category, and the ethical and philosophical questions that arise from the monetization of personal content. Ultimately, the path to success on YouTube will depend on a range of factors, including creativity, persistence, unique perspective, and values.