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YOUTUBE

YouTube Stats for Nerds Explained

YouTube Stats for Nerds is a technical overlay that shows how a video is being delivered and played back on your device.

That is the short answer. The useful answer is understanding what each number means, which ones matter, and how to use them to diagnose blurry playback, buffering, dropped frames, codec issues, and live-stream delay.

This guide explains Stats for Nerds in plain English, including resolution, viewport, connection speed, network activity, buffer health, codecs, dropped frames, live latency, and how creators can use this information without disappearing into meaningless technical obsession.

Why trust this guide?

I am not writing this as an outsider. I am a YouTube Certified Expert. I have coached 500+ clients, built and grown multiple channels, earned six YouTube Silver Play Buttons, built a personal audience of 100k+, and spent years working across YouTube strategy, SEO, retention, metadata, channel systems, analytics, and technical publishing workflows.

This matters because Stats for Nerds is one of those features people either ignore completely or overcomplicate. Used properly, it can help you troubleshoot real playback issues and better understand what YouTube is doing with your videos.

If you want help applying any of this to your own channel, you can book a discovery call.

Quick answer: what is YouTube Stats for Nerds?

YouTube Stats for Nerds is a built-in debug overlay that shows technical playback information such as video resolution, viewport size, codec, connection speed, network activity, buffer health, and dropped frames.

It is mainly useful for troubleshooting playback issues or understanding how YouTube is delivering a video to your device.

YouTube’s own help pages describe Stats for Nerds as part of the debug information they may ask for when users report video playback problems. They also show how to turn it on across desktop, Android, and iPhone/iPad. YouTube says this data helps troubleshoot issues and does not contain personally identifiable information, though it does reveal details about the device and the video being watched.

How to open Stats for Nerds

The exact method depends on the device you are using.

Device How to open Stats for Nerds
Desktop Right-click on the video player, then select Stats for nerds
iPhone / iPad app Enable Stats for Nerds in Settings, then open a video and select it from the player menu
Android app Open a video, use the player controls, and turn on Stats for Nerds from the available options
Mobile web Tap and hold the player if supported, then select Stats for Nerds

YouTube’s support pages also say Stats for Nerds can be used while casting in supported situations, and on YouTube TV-like experiences as part of troubleshooting.

What Stats for Nerds shows

The overlay can vary a bit by platform, but these are the fields most people notice first.

Field What it usually means
Current / Optimal Res The resolution currently playing versus the resolution YouTube considers ideal for the player
Viewport The size of the video player on your screen
Codecs The video and audio compression formats being used
Connection Speed The measured speed available for streaming at that moment
Network Activity How much data is currently being transferred
Buffer Health How much video YouTube has buffered ahead
Dropped Frames How many frames failed to render smoothly
Live Latency Delay between the live source and what the viewer sees

Those are the ones most useful to normal creators and viewers. If you only understand those well, you are already ahead of most people who open the overlay and stare blankly at it.

Current / Optimal Res explained

This is one of the easiest and most useful fields to understand.

Current Res is the resolution you are actually watching right now. Optimal Res is what YouTube considers ideal for the player size and conditions.

Example: if Current Res says 1280×720 and Optimal Res says 1920×1080, you are currently watching at 720p even though YouTube thinks 1080p would better match the playback situation.

This can help explain why a video looks blurrier than expected. The issue may not be the upload itself. It may simply be that playback has stepped down to a lower resolution because of bandwidth, device conditions, or autoplay quality choices.

Viewport explained

Viewport tells you the size of the player on your screen, not the native uploaded resolution of the video.

This matters because the player size influences what YouTube considers an appropriate playback resolution. If the video is playing in a smaller window, YouTube may not need to serve the highest available resolution to look visually fine in that space.

Viewport is useful when someone says, “Why is this only playing in 720p?” and the answer is, “Because the player is tiny and YouTube is optimising for that display size.”

Codecs explained

Codecs are the compression formats used to deliver the video and audio.

The specific codec string can look ugly, but the broader idea is simple: different codecs affect compatibility, compression efficiency, and playback quality.

YouTube’s help pages mention VP9 specifically when talking about higher-quality playback like 4K. That is one reason some devices or browsers may not show the highest playback options in the same way.

Codec concept Why you should care
VP9 support Can affect whether higher-quality formats like 4K are available
Device compatibility Not every device handles every codec equally well
Playback efficiency Different codecs can affect how smoothly a video plays

If you want to connect this to upload choices, also read Should I Upload 4K to YouTube? and What Is the Best Bitrate for YouTube?.

Connection Speed and Network Activity explained

These fields help you understand whether your internet connection is likely to support the quality level you are trying to watch.

Connection Speed is essentially YouTube’s reading of the available stream speed at that time. Network Activity reflects how much data is currently being moved as the player buffers and plays.

YouTube’s playback troubleshooting guidance also gives recommended sustained speeds for different resolutions, including around:

  • 0.7 Mbps for 360p
  • 1.1 Mbps for 480p
  • 2.5 Mbps for 720p
  • 5 Mbps for 1080p
  • 20 Mbps for 4K

That gives useful context. If Stats for Nerds is showing weak connection speed and your current playback quality has dropped, the numbers are probably telling a coherent story.

Buffer Health explained

Buffer Health tells you how much video is already loaded ahead of the current playback position.

This is one of the most helpful Stats for Nerds fields when diagnosing buffering or unstable live playback. YouTube’s live-stream help explicitly references Buffer Health as the player’s way of handling changes in internet speed by keeping some extra stream data ready.

Simple rule: healthier buffer usually means smoother playback. Tiny or collapsing buffer often points toward unstable network conditions or playback stress.

Dropped Frames explained

Dropped Frames shows how many frames failed to render properly during playback.

If this number climbs, the problem is not always the upload. It can also be the viewer’s device, browser, graphics pipeline, or decoding strain.

This field matters when people say things like:

  • “The video is stuttering”
  • “The gameplay looks jerky”
  • “The 60fps upload doesn’t feel smooth”

If dropped frames are increasing quickly, the playback system is struggling somewhere in the chain.

Live Latency explained

Live Latency matters specifically for live streams.

YouTube’s live help explains that delays can happen even on good networks and that viewer players use buffer health to absorb changes in internet speed. In other words, live latency is not just “bad internet”, it is part of how the stream is stabilised.

This is useful for:

  • live Q&As
  • stream troubleshooting
  • viewer complaints about delay
  • understanding the trade-off between stream stability and near-real-time interaction

When Stats for Nerds is actually useful

This feature is most useful in a handful of situations.

Situation What Stats for Nerds helps you spot
Blurry video Whether Current Res is lower than expected
Buffering Low connection speed, network inconsistency, or weak buffer health
Playback stutter Rising dropped frames
4K not appearing Codec or device limitations like VP9 support
Live stream delay Live latency and buffer behaviour

It is not meant to be a secret growth hack. It is a diagnostic tool. Its value is practical clarity, not bragging rights.

Fresh official facts worth knowing

This topic becomes much more useful when it is grounded in current YouTube help rather than random forum guesses.

Fact Why it matters What it means in practice
YouTube may ask for Stats for Nerds or debug info when you report playback problems Confirms it is a real troubleshooting tool, not a novelty The overlay is designed to help diagnose playback issues
YouTube says Stats for Nerds does not contain personally identifiable information but does reveal device and video details Useful for privacy context You can share it for troubleshooting without exposing everything about your account
YouTube’s playback troubleshooting page lists recommended sustained speeds up to 20 Mbps for 4K Gives context for connection speed readings Low speed readings can directly explain lower resolution playback
YouTube’s live help explicitly references Buffer Health in Stats for Nerds Shows the field matters for live-stream stability Buffer Health is one of the best fields for understanding live playback behaviour

Video pick: RPM vs CPM on YouTube

Stats for Nerds explains technical playback, but channels still win or lose on bigger business fundamentals too. This helps connect the technical side to the growth side.

Tools that genuinely help you use technical data sensibly

The old tools section needed a full rebuild. Tools should support a strategy, not pretend to replace one. These are the ones I would actually recommend first because they are relevant, trustworthy, and already supported by useful content on this site.

Tool Best for Why it earns a place here Best next step
YouTube Studio Understanding real audience behaviour after upload Stats for Nerds helps diagnose playback, but YouTube Studio shows whether the content itself is working Learn how to read the right signals
vidIQ Topic research and discoverability Useful because technical perfection still needs strong click-through and audience demand Try vidIQ or read my vidIQ review
TubeBuddy Publishing workflow and optimisation support Helpful when your bottleneck is consistent execution rather than technical curiosity Try TubeBuddy or read my TubeBuddy review
StreamYard Live stream workflows Useful if you care about live latency, stability, and audience interaction during streams Try StreamYard or read my StreamYard review
Syllaby Content planning and consistency Useful because long-term growth still comes from a repeatable content system, not just technical overlays Try Syllaby or read my Syllaby review

Which tool should you pick first?

  • Start with Stats for Nerds when you need to diagnose playback quality or buffering.
  • Start with YouTube Studio when you need to decide whether the video itself is performing.
  • Use vidIQ or TubeBuddy if the bigger issue is discoverability, not playback.
  • Use StreamYard if live performance and latency matter to your content system.

What I would do if I were using Stats for Nerds as a creator

  1. Use it when something looks wrong, not for vanity.
  2. Check Current Res, Codecs, Buffer Health, and Dropped Frames first.
  3. Use it to diagnose playback problems, not to replace proper channel analysis.
  4. Pair it with YouTube Studio so technical data stays connected to audience outcomes.

Final thoughts

If you came here for the fast answer, here it is again: YouTube Stats for Nerds is a playback-debug overlay that shows how a video is being delivered and rendered on your device.

It is genuinely useful for troubleshooting blurry playback, buffering, codec limitations, dropped frames, and live-stream delay. It is much less useful as a thing to stare at just because the numbers look clever.

The best use of Stats for Nerds is simple: use it to understand real playback problems, then go back to the bigger job of making videos people actually want to watch.

If you want help connecting the technical side and the strategic side of YouTube, start with Who Is Alan Spicer?, read how I help creators and brands grow, or book a discovery call.

Frequently asked questions

What is Stats for Nerds on YouTube?

It is a debug overlay that shows technical playback information like resolution, codec, connection speed, network activity, buffer health, and dropped frames.

How do I open Stats for Nerds on YouTube?

On desktop, right-click the video player and select Stats for Nerds. On mobile, the feature is available through the app settings and player controls on supported platforms.

What does Current / Optimal Res mean?

It shows the resolution currently playing and the resolution YouTube considers ideal for the player and conditions.

What does Buffer Health mean?

It shows how much video is already buffered ahead of playback, which helps explain whether the stream is stable or likely to stutter.

What do Dropped Frames mean?

Dropped Frames show how many frames failed to render smoothly, which can point to device, browser, or playback strain.

Does Stats for Nerds help with live streams?

Yes. Fields like Buffer Health and Live Latency are useful for understanding live playback delay and stability.

Is Stats for Nerds useful for channel growth?

Indirectly. It helps troubleshoot playback issues, but it does not replace audience research, retention analysis, or better content strategy.

Does Stats for Nerds contain private personal information?

YouTube says it does not contain personally identifiable information, though it does reveal details about your device and the video being watched.

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DEEP DIVE ARTICLE HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE TIPS & TRICKS YOUTUBE

What Percentage of YouTubers Make Money?

Most YouTube channels never make meaningful money. That sounds blunt, but it is the truth. The upside is that this number is often misunderstood because YouTube contains millions of abandoned, inactive, experimental, and half-started channels that were never really built as businesses in the first place.

If you are asking what percentage of YouTubers make money, you are really asking a more useful question underneath it: how realistic is it to build a channel that earns anything at all, and what separates the channels that do from the ones that never get there?

This guide answers that properly. We will cover the short version Google can quote, the longer version humans actually need, what counts as “making money”, how YouTube monetisation works now, why so few channels earn meaningful income, which tools are genuinely worth using, and what to do if you want to beat the odds.

Why trust this guide?

I am not writing this as an outsider. I am a YouTube Certified Expert. I have coached 500+ clients, built and grown multiple channels, earned six YouTube Silver Play Buttons, built a personal audience of 100k+, and spent years working across YouTube strategy, SEO, retention, metadata, channel systems, and monetisation.

If you want the wider strategy picture as well, read The Definitive Guide to Growing on YouTube. If you want to think more globally about audience reach and monetisation potential across markets, also read the top languages on YouTube, because language choice can affect discoverability, audience size, advertiser demand, and long-term income ceiling.

If you want help applying any of this to your own channel, you can book a discovery call.

Quick answer: What percentage of YouTubers make money?

A practical rule-of-thumb answer is that around 0.25% of YouTube channels make money through YouTube’s built-in monetisation systems at any meaningful level.

Still, that figure should be treated as an estimate rather than a precise figure for the live platform-wide number.

That is the version most people are really looking for. It preserves the core point: only a very small percentage of channels ever reach meaningful earnings.

The more accurate version is this: most YouTube channels make nothing; a minority make some money; and only a small fraction generate high income. YouTube does not publish a live public percentage for “all channels that currently earn meaningful money”, so any exact number is always an estimate built from public thresholds, historic channel-distribution research, and practical market reality.

So yes, keeping around 0.25% near the top makes sense for query match and snippet protection. The upgrade is not to delete it. The upgrade is to frame it more clearly, defend it more effectively, and immediately explain the caveat.

Snippet answer for the exact query

What percentage of YouTubers make money? A sensible estimate is around 0.25% if you mean channels earning meaningful money directly through YouTube monetisation features. However, the true live figure changes over time and is not published by YouTube as a precise public metric.

Question Best short answer Important caveat
What percentage of YouTubers make money? Around 0.25% Useful as a rule-of-thumb, not a perfectly current live count
What percentage makes meaningful money? Very small Most channels never reach monetisation thresholds or useful scale
What percentage makes a full-time income? Smaller still Full-time creator income usually depends on multiple revenue streams

What counts as “making money” on YouTube?

This is where most articles fall over. They count any income at all as proof that a creator “makes money”. Technically, that is true. Practically, it is not very helpful.

If a channel earns enough to buy a sandwich once a month, that is not a business. So it helps to split YouTube earnings into clearer buckets.

Level What it usually means What it feels like in real life
Incidental income Low or irregular earnings A nice surprise, but not dependable
Meaningful side income Regular monthly earnings with clear upside Can fund tools, gear, software, travel, or part of your bills
Part-time creator income Enough to justify workflow and reinvestment Starts acting like a small business
Full-time creator income Diversified revenue with salary-level reliability Usually built on more than ads alone

Key point: when creators talk about “making money on YouTube”, they often mean all revenue connected to the audience that YouTube helps them build, not just AdSense. That can include affiliate links, sponsorships, digital products, memberships, coaching, consulting, email funnels, lead generation, and ecommerce.

This is also why topic, niche, and audience geography matter so much. A channel publishing in a widely used language may have a larger audience ceiling, while a channel in a tighter niche or region may have stronger buying intent. If you are weighing audience size against competition, my guide to the top languages on YouTube adds another useful layer to this conversation.

For direct platform income, also read How Do YouTubers Receive Their Money?, The Top Ways to Monetise Your YouTube Channel, and How to Get Super Chat on YouTube.

How YouTube monetisation works now

YouTube monetisation is no longer a single giant switch you only reach at one milestone. It is now better understood as a tiered system.

Monetisation stage Subscriber threshold Activity threshold What it can unlock
Earlier YPP access 500 subscribers 3 public uploads in 90 days, plus 3,000 watch hours in 12 months, or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days Fan funding and selected shopping features in eligible regions
Full ad revenue access 1,000 subscribers 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days Ads, YouTube Premium revenue share, wider direct monetisation options

You can see the current thresholds in YouTube’s official documentation here: expanded YouTube Partner Programme overview and YouTube Partner Programme overview and eligibility.

If you want to understand the earning mechanics behind specific viewer behaviours, I also have related breakdowns on whether YouTubers get paid if you have YouTube Premium, whether YouTubers get paid more if you watch the whole ad, whether creators can control which ads are shown, what happens if viewers use AdBlock, and whether old videos still make money.

If your immediate goal is hitting those thresholds, read How to Get 1,000 Subscribers and 4,000 Hours Watch Time.

How many YouTubers actually make money?

Here is the honest version: no public source gives a perfect live count of all monetised channels earning meaningful money. Older articles often quote total channel numbers and old subscriber brackets, then present the answer as if it is exact. It is not.

What we can say with confidence is this:

  • Most channels never reach even the first serious monetisation threshold.
  • Being eligible for monetisation is not the same thing as earning useful money.
  • The number of channels earning a full-time income is much smaller again.
  • Many channels counted in broad “total channel” figures are inactive, abandoned, or not serious creator businesses.

That is why the old answer worked as a hook but needed to be upgraded into an article. The figure itself is useful, but the page should now do more than shock the reader. It should help them understand why the percentage is low, what the modern thresholds are, and how to move into the fraction that actually earns.

Plain English version: use 0.25% as the fast answer, then explain that the practical shape of the market matters more than fake precision. Most channels earn nothing. A smaller group earn a bit. A much smaller group builds a dependable side income. A tiny slice builds serious creator businesses.

Fresh stats and facts worth injecting into this topic

If you want this page to feel current, useful, and stronger for readers and search engines, it helps to add platform context rather than just repeating one old estimate.

Stat or fact Why it matters Source
YouTube says it paid more than $100 billion to creators, artists, and media companies in the past four years Shows YouTube is a real creator economy, but the money is not evenly distributed YouTube CEO blog, 2026
YouTube says its US ecosystem contributed $55 billion to GDP and supported 490,000+ full-time jobs in 2024 Shows platform impact and business gravity around creators, editors, agencies, and services YouTube CEO blog, 2026
YouTube’s earlier YPP tier starts at 500 subscribers Important because some older articles still present 1,000 subscribers as the only monetisation entry point YouTube Help
Full ad revenue still usually starts at 1,000 subscribers plus watch time or Shorts thresholds Important because being “in YPP” and being fully ad monetised are not identical things YouTube Help
YouTube has 2.58 billion users globally, according to recent industry reporting Shows the platform is massive, but a huge audience does not mean easy money for individual channels Exploding Topics
Over half of creators in one 2025 earnings report earned under $15,000 annually Useful wider creator-economy context showing how hard sustainable creator income can be Influencer Marketing Hub

The reason I like this section is that it adds depth without damaging the main answer. It keeps the old query intent, but makes the page much more useful for adjacent searches like is YouTube still worth it, how many creators actually earn money, how hard is it to make money on YouTube, and how much do small YouTubers earn.

If you want even more earning-specific data points, I also cover how much money 1 million YouTube views make, ways to make money using your computer, and the wider how to make money online category.

Why is the percentage so low?

There are a few big reasons.

1. The barrier to starting is tiny

It is almost free to start a channel. That is great for accessibility, but it also means millions of channels exist with no real strategy, no publishing plan, and no monetisation path.

2. Most creators quit before compounding starts

The first 10 to 30 videos often teach you more than they reward you. A lot of creators stop during the awkward phase where the channel is still finding audience fit and learning what works.

3. People chase views before they build a business model

Views matter, but only if they connect to revenue. Ads, affiliates, leads, digital products, consulting, sponsors, and memberships all need intent and trust behind them.

4. Packaging is usually the first bottleneck

Weak titles and thumbnails kill channels faster than camera quality ever will. This is one of the most common problems I see when auditing channels. Even small presentation tweaks can change how your content is perceived, clicked, and shared. For a tiny but useful example of how formatting can improve engagement and readability in community interactions, see how to bold YouTube comments, use strikethrough, italics, and emojis.

5. Retention decides whether growth compounds

If people click and leave quickly, YouTube gets the signal that the promise was weak, misleading, or poorly delivered. That limits future distribution and long-term earnings.

Problem What it does to the channel Why it hurts money
Weak thumbnails and titles Fewer clicks Lower reach means lower watch time and lower revenue potential
Poor intros and structure Retention drops early Less distribution and weaker monetisation signals
No niche clarity Audience confusion Harder to build trust, repeat viewership, and relevant offers
No monetisation plan Traffic goes nowhere Even decent views produce weak business results
Inconsistency Compounding never starts The channel never reaches monetisation scale

Realistic YouTube income tiers

These are not promises. They are a saner way to think about YouTube earnings than the usual hype.

Channel stage Typical reality Main focus Best revenue bets
Pre-monetised No direct YouTube income yet Audience fit, consistency, watch time, search-friendly topics Email capture, affiliates, lead generation groundwork
Early monetised Some ad revenue, usually small Improve RPM, click-through rate, and retention Ads, affiliates, simple digital offers
Growing authority channel Meaningful but variable income Diversify revenue and build returning viewers Ads, sponsors, affiliates, products, memberships
Business-grade creator More predictable revenue Systemise production, funnels, and monetisation Ads plus strong off-platform monetisation

Subscriber count alone is not enough. A smaller channel with strong buyer intent, better affiliate fit, stronger business offers, or higher-value topics can out-earn a much larger channel in a weaker niche.

This is one reason technical quality is only part of the puzzle. Uploading in 4K, choosing the right bitrate, and understanding performance diagnostics can help the viewing experience, but they do not automatically create revenue. For that side of YouTube, see Should I Upload 4K to YouTube?, The Best Bitrate for YouTube, and YouTube Stats for Nerds Explained.

The real money is often beyond AdSense

If you only look at YouTube ads, you miss the more interesting part of the creator business model.

Many of the healthiest creator businesses use YouTube as the top of funnel, not the entire business. One video can earn through multiple layers:

  • Ad revenue
  • Affiliate links
  • Sponsorships
  • Consulting or coaching enquiries
  • Courses and digital products
  • Memberships
  • Live stream income
  • Owned services or ecommerce

Why smaller channels can still win: they do not rely on a single income stream.

That same logic also applies to edge-case formats. For example, music creators asking how to make money doing covers on YouTube face a different revenue puzzle from a software reviewer, livestreamer, or educational creator. The monetisation path always depends on the format, rights, audience intent, and business model behind the videos.

Video pick: How to make money on YouTube without AdSense

This matters here because the strongest YouTube businesses rarely depend on ads alone.

How to beat the odds and actually make money on YouTube

  1. Choose a niche with clear audience intent.
  2. Build around searchable, clickable problems.
  3. Design the title and thumbnail before you film.
  4. Deliver value quickly and hold attention.
  5. Study retention and click-through rate in YouTube Studio.
  6. Add a sensible monetisation path early.
  7. Treat the channel like a system, not a random pile of uploads.

If this is where you need help, here is what a YouTube consultant actually does, and you can also book a discovery call.

One of the bigger levers creators often miss is that reach and revenue often expand when you think beyond a single audience segment. Language strategy, technical execution, monetisation structure, and evergreen content can all work together rather than sitting in separate silos.

Video pick: Why most YouTubers do not make money

This directly supports the core topic and helps reinforce the main argument for both readers and search intent.

Video pick: RPM vs CPM on YouTube

This is useful because two channels with similar views can earn wildly different amounts.

Tools that genuinely help you get started on YouTube

The old tools section needed a full rebuild. Tools should support a strategy, not pretend to replace one. These are the ones I would actually recommend first because they are relevant, trustworthy, and already supported by useful content on this site.

Tool Best for Why it earns a place here Best next step
YouTube Studio Analytics and decision-making Your first and most important growth tool. This is where click-through rate, retention, traffic sources, returning viewers, and monetisation signals live. Learn how to read the right signals
vidIQ Topic research and search-led growth Useful for topic discovery, keyword support, optimisation prompts, and planning decisions when used with judgement. Try vidIQ or read my vidIQ review
TubeBuddy Workflow, bulk updates, publishing support Helpful if you want practical process support and efficient channel management without pretending it will magically grow the channel for you. Try TubeBuddy or read my TubeBuddy review
StreamYard Live streaming, interviews, webinars, browser-based creation Great for creators who want reliable streaming and recording without a technical headache. Try StreamYard or read my StreamYard review
Gyre Pro Evergreen livestream loops and always-on distribution Especially interesting for creators with evergreen libraries, music, ambience, tutorials, podcasts, or archive-led content strategies. Read my Gyre Pro review and Gyre Pro vs OBS guide
Syllaby Content planning, ideation, and scripting support Useful when your bottleneck is staying consistent, structuring ideas, and turning expertise into repeatable content plans. Try Syllaby or read my Syllaby review

If you want to keep digging, start with the YouTube tools hub, the YouTube equipment for beginners guide, the wider YouTube growth pillar, or the top languages on YouTube if you want to think more strategically about audience scale and global discoverability.

Which tool should you pick first?

  • If you are new, start with YouTube Studio and either vidIQ or TubeBuddy.
  • If live content matters, add StreamYard.
  • If you have evergreen content that can work as looping streams, consider Gyre Pro.
  • If your problem is idea generation and consistency, look at Syllaby.
  • If your thumbnails and topics are weak, fix those before buying more gear.

Related reading on YouTube money, ads, quality, and audience growth

People also ask

Do most YouTubers make any money at all?

No. Most YouTube channels either never reach monetisation thresholds or never turn that access into meaningful income.

Can a small YouTube channel make money?

Yes. Small channels can still earn through affiliate links, consulting, lead generation, digital products, memberships, and fan support, especially in high-intent niches.

How many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube?

Some monetisation features now start at 500 subscribers in eligible regions, but full ad revenue usually still requires 1,000 subscribers plus watch time or Shorts thresholds.

How much do small YouTubers make?

It varies massively. Some earn almost nothing. Others earn meaningful side income from smart affiliates, niche expertise, services, or direct audience demand even before ads become significant.

Is it harder to make money on YouTube now?

It is more competitive, yes, but also more mature. There are more monetisation options, more tools, and better analytics than there used to be. The channels that win tend to be better packaged, more useful, and more systematic.

Can you make money on YouTube without showing your face?

Yes, if the content format works without a face and still holds attention. Tutorials, explainers, ambience, automation-supported evergreen loops, case studies, and certain niche educational formats can all work.

Do YouTube Shorts pay well?

Shorts can contribute to growth and monetisation, but the revenue model differs from that of long-form content. They can help, but they are not an automatic shortcut to a reliable income.

What is better for making money: YouTube or blogging?

Neither is automatically better. The best choice depends on your audience, niche, production style, and business model. In many cases, the smartest move is to use both together.

What I would do if I were starting from zero today

  1. Pick a niche where audience intent is obvious.
  2. Map 20 to 30 videos around beginner questions, pain points, comparisons, myths, and mistakes.
  3. Build titles and thumbnails before filming.
  4. Publish consistently long enough to gather real data.
  5. Use YouTube Studio to study what viewers clicked and where they dropped off.
  6. Add one monetisation path early, such as affiliate links, leads, or a service offer.
  7. Keep refining the system rather than chasing random viral ideas.

Final thoughts

If you came here hoping for a single neat percentage, the best quick answer is still around 0.25%. That is useful, memorable, and still directionally right for meaningful direct YouTube monetisation.

But the better answer is bigger than that. Most YouTube channels make nothing; a minority make some money; only a small fraction generate high income. That is not because success is impossible. It is because most channels never get focused enough, consistent enough, or strategic enough for compounding to kick in.

You do not need millions of subscribers to make YouTube worth it. You need a channel built on demand, trust, strong packaging, decent retention, and a monetisation model that fits the audience.

That is the difference between uploading videos and building a creator business.

If you want help building the second one, start with Who Is Alan Spicer?, read how I help creators and brands grow, or book a discovery call.

How many YouTubers make money stats infographic

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of YouTubers are monetised?

A useful rule-of-thumb answer is around 0.25% if you mean channels earning meaningful money directly through YouTube monetisation, but YouTube does not publish a perfect live count for this.

What percentage of YouTubers make a full-time income?

Smaller still. Full-time creator income is much rarer than basic monetisation because it usually requires more views, a better monetisation fit, and multiple revenue streams.

Can you make money on YouTube before 1,000 subscribers?

Sometimes, yes. Earlier YPP access can start at 500 subscribers in eligible regions, and off-platform income, such as affiliates, leads, or services, can start earlier.

How much money does 1,000 subscribers make on YouTube?

There is no fixed amount. Subscriber count alone does not determine revenue. Niche, audience location, view volume, video length, retention, and monetisation strategy matter far more.

What type of YouTube channel makes the most money?

Higher-value niches such as finance, business, software, education, and buyer-intent content often monetise better on a per-view basis than broad entertainment, but execution still matters.

Is YouTube still worth starting?

Yes, if you are willing to treat it as a long-term asset rather than a quick win. The competition is higher, but the monetisation options and creator infrastructure are stronger than ever.

What is the best first tool for a new YouTuber?

YouTube Studio. After that, add a support tool like vidIQ or TubeBuddy based on whether your bigger bottleneck is research, workflow, or optimisation support.

Is YouTube monetisation only about AdSense?

No. Many of the strongest creator businesses combine ads with affiliates, sponsors, products, memberships, services, and audience-led offers.

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YOUTUBE

YouTube by the Numbers: A Fun and Shareable Dive into the World of YouTube

Ready to explore the fantastic world of YouTube?

We’ve put together some mind-blowing stats that you’ll love to share with your friends! In this post, we’ll delve into user demographics, video engagement, trends, and more.

So, buckle up and let’s dive into these entertaining YouTube tables and summaries!

YouTube’s Steady Growth

Year Global Monthly Active Users (MAU)
2016 1.5 billion
2017 1.8 billion
2018 2.0 billion
2019 2.3 billion
2020 2.6 billion
2021 2.9 billion (estimated)

Summary: YouTube has experienced consistent growth since its inception in 2005. With an estimated 2.9 billion monthly active users in 2021, YouTube’s expansive reach shows no signs of slowing down! 🚀

Top Countries by YouTube Users

Rank Country Users (in millions)
1 United States 199
2 India 190
3 Brazil 119
4 Russia 109
5 Japan 90

Summary: YouTube’s global user base is led by the United States, followed by India, Brazil, Russia, and Japan. With millions of users in each country, YouTube’s platform connects people from all corners of the world! 🌏

10 Benefits Of Cloud Livestreaming for Brand Awareness and Growth

Age Demographics of YouTube Users

Age Group Percentage of YouTube Users (%)
18-24 31
25-34 26
35-44 16
45-54 12
55+ 15

Summary: YouTube attracts a diverse range of age groups, with 18-24 and 25-34-year-olds leading the pack. However, older generations are not far behind, showcasing YouTube’s broad appeal across different age groups. 🎉

Average Time Spent on YouTube per Day

Country Time Spent (in minutes)
United States 40
United Kingdom 35
Germany 30
France 28
Spain 25

Summary: YouTube is a daily destination for millions of users worldwide. Users in the United States spend an average of 40 minutes per day on the platform, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain. Time sure flies when you’re enjoying your favourite videos! ⏰

Conclusion: And there you have it – a fun and shareable look at YouTube’s amazing world of stats!

With its steady growth, global user base, and diverse demographic appeal, YouTube continues to dominate the online video landscape.

So go ahead and share these fascinating stats with your friends, and let’s keep the YouTube party going! 🎈

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YOUTUBE

Does YouTube Music Have Ads? (The Definitive Answer)

YouTube Music is one of the most popular music streaming services out there, offering a wide variety of songs and playlists to users. But the big question on many people’s minds is: does YouTube Music have ads?

In this post, we’ll provide a definitive answer to that question, along with some statistics and fun facts about the platform.

The Answer: Yes, YouTube Music Has Ads

Unfortunately, the answer to whether or not YouTube Music has ads is yes. The free version of YouTube Music is supported by ads, which means that you’ll see and hear advertisements while using the app. These ads can be disruptive to your listening experience, and they can range from short audio ads to longer video ads that you have to watch before playing a song.

How to Get an Ad-Free Listening Experience on YouTube Music

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to deal with ads while listening to music, there is a solution. YouTube Music offers a premium subscription service called YouTube Music Premium.

With this subscription, you’ll be able to enjoy an ad-free listening experience, along with other benefits like offline playback, background listening, and high-quality audio streaming.

Does YouTube Music Have Ads? The Definitive Answer 1

YouTube Premium Subscribers Also Get Ad-Free Access to YouTube Music

If you’re already a subscriber to YouTube Premium, then you’re in luck! YouTube Premium subscribers get access to YouTube Music as part of their subscription.

This means that you can enjoy an ad-free listening experience on both YouTube and YouTube Music. Plus, you’ll also get access to original content and other exclusive features.

Statistic Number
Number of songs available on YouTube Music Over 70 million
Number of monthly active users on YouTube Music Over 30 million
Number of YouTube Music subscribers Over 50 million
Percentage of YouTube Music users who use the free version 70%
Number of minutes of music streamed daily on YouTube Music 250 million minutes
Number of countries where YouTube Music is available Over 100 countries
Percentage of YouTube Music usage that comes from mobile devices 95%
Amount of time YouTube Music users spend on the app per session Over 60 minutes

Here are some stats on YouTube Music’s ads:

Statistic Number
Length of audio ads on YouTube Music 15-30 seconds
Length of video ads on YouTube Music 5-30 seconds
Percentage of YouTube Music’s revenue that comes from ads 10-15%
Percentage of YouTube Music’s ad impressions that come from mobile devices 90%

These stats give a glimpse into the popularity and usage of YouTube Music, as well as the prevalence of ads on the platform.

Fun Facts About YouTube Music

To wrap up this post, let’s end with some fun facts about YouTube Music:

  • YouTube Music has over 50 million songs available to stream.
  • In 2020, YouTube Music was the sixth most popular music streaming service in the world, with 25 million subscribers.
  • YouTube Music’s “Discover Mix” playlist is updated every Wednesday and features new music tailored to your listening preferences.
  • The most-streamed song on YouTube Music as of 2021 is “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran, with over 6 billion views.

Conclusion

While it’s unfortunate that YouTube Music has ads, there are options available for those who want an ad-free listening experience. By subscribing to YouTube Music Premium or YouTube Premium, you can enjoy uninterrupted listening and other exclusive features.

And with over 50 million songs available to stream, there’s always something new to discover on YouTube Music.

Q: How often do ads appear on YouTube Music?

A: The frequency of ads on YouTube Music can vary depending on factors like your location, listening habits, and the type of content you’re listening to. However, in general, free users can expect to encounter ads after every few songs or playlists.

Q: What types of ads appear on YouTube Music?

A: There are several types of ads that can appear on YouTube Music, including audio ads, video ads, and banner ads. Audio ads are short ads that play between songs, while video ads are longer ads that you have to watch before playing a video or song. Banner ads appear at the bottom of the screen while you’re browsing the app.

Q: How long are the ads on YouTube Music?

A: The length of ads on YouTube Music can vary, but in general, audio ads are 15-30 seconds long, while video ads can range from 5 seconds to 30 seconds.

Q: Can I skip ads on YouTube Music? A: Free users cannot skip ads on YouTube Music. You have to watch or listen to the entire ad before you can continue playing your music. However, YouTube Music Premium subscribers can enjoy an ad-free listening experience.

Q: How do ads on YouTube Music impact the user experience?

A: Ads on YouTube Music can be disruptive to the user experience, especially if you’re listening to a long playlist or album. They can also be repetitive if you hear the same ad multiple times in a row. However, some users don’t mind the ads and see them as a trade-off for using the free version of the app.

Q: Can I target specific audiences with ads on YouTube Music?

A: Yes, YouTube Music offers targeting options for advertisers, including demographic targeting, interest targeting, and geographic targeting. This allows advertisers to reach specific groups of people with their ads.

Q: How much do ads on YouTube Music cost for advertisers?

A: The cost of advertising on YouTube Music can vary depending on factors like the targeting options you choose, the length and type of ad, and the competition for ad space. However, on average, the cost per thousand impressions (CPM) for YouTube Music ads is around $8-$10.

Q: Can I create my own ads for YouTube Music?

A: Yes, advertisers can create their own ads for YouTube Music using the YouTube Ads platform. You can create video ads, audio ads, and banner ads, and customize them with your own branding and messaging.

Q: How effective are ads on YouTube Music at driving conversions?

A: The effectiveness of ads on YouTube Music at driving conversions can vary depending on factors like the quality of the ad, the targeting options used, and the product or service being advertised. However, studies have shown that YouTube ads can be highly effective at driving brand awareness and consideration.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

TikTok by the Numbers: A Fun and Shareable Dive into the World of TikTok

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of TikTok?

We’ve gathered some incredible stats that’ll leave you amazed and eager to share with your friends! In this post, we’ll explore user demographics, video engagement, trends, and more.

So, let’s get started with these fun-filled TikTok tables and summaries!

TikTok’s Explosive Growth

Year Global Downloads (in millions)
2017 50
2018 663
2019 738
2020 850
2021 920 (estimated)

TikTok has seen a meteoric rise since its global launch in 2017. From 50 million downloads in 2017 to an estimated 920 million in 2021, it’s clear that TikTok’s popularity is unstoppable! 🚀

Top Countries by TikTok Users

Rank Country Users (in millions)
1 China 600
2 United States 130
3 India 120 (before ban)
4 Brazil 95
5 Indonesia 45

TikTok’s user base spans the globe, with China leading the pack at 600 million users. The United States and India (before the ban) trail behind, while Brazil and Indonesia round out the top five. 🌏

Age Demographics of TikTok Users

Age Group Percentage of TikTok Users (%)
10-19 32.5
20-29 29.5
30-39 16.4
40-49 13.9
50+ 7.7

Gen Z and millennials rule TikTok, with users aged 10-29 making up a whopping 62% of the platform’s user base. But don’t count out the older generations – they’re still making a splash with their presence! 🎉

Average Time Spent on TikTok per Day

Country Time Spent (in minutes)
United States 52
United Kingdom 41
Germany 37
France 35
Spain 31

TikTok is more than just a quick scroll! Users in the United States spend an average of 52 minutes per day on the app, with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain trailing close behind. Time flies when you’re having fun! ⏰

There you have it, folks – a fun and shareable look at TikTok’s world of stats!

With its explosive growth, widespread popularity, and diverse user base, TikTok has become a force to be reckoned with in the social media world. So, go ahead and share these fascinating stats with your friends, and let’s keep the TikTok party going! 🎈

Are you looking to uninstall TikTok? Here is an in-depth step by step guide on how to uninstall tiktok on iOS and Android devices.

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YOUTUBE

What is ASMR? (Sexual or Sensual?)

Coined in 2010, ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a relaxing, often sedative sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body. Also known as “brain massage,” it’s triggered by placid sights and sounds such as whispers, accents, and crackles.

What is ASMR? It is an acronym for “Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response” (which is not officially classified as a condition by the sciences) that is first bandied about on the internet around the close of the first decade of the 2000s.

For the most part, the words making up the name are self-explanatory, but you might be wondering about meridian. Meridian generally refers to a high point in excitement, but technically it refers to any of the pathways along which the body’s vital energy flows according to the theory behind acupuncture.

Autonomous also has specialized meaning: it can refer to involuntary physiological responses or to the autonomic nervous system, which autonomously regulates bodily functions, including sexual arousal.

ASMR, however, is a nonsexual response.

According to the modest ones who answered questionnaires on the topic, it is simply a tingling feeling that starts at the top of the head and trickles downward—and is characteristically triggered by a person softly whispering into a camera and making random hand movements along objects.

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. Autonomous means that the feeling is in your body, sensory means that your senses perceive the feeling, meridian refers to the energy of the feeling in your body, and response indicates that the feeling is a response to stimuli.

ASMR: what we know so far about this unique brain phenomenon – and what we don't

What are the benefits of asmr?

“I’ve received emails throughout my five years of content creation from people with many different backgrounds. Soldiers with PTSD. New mums who have just given birth and are in state of constant stress. People with anxiety disorders or depression who can’t sleep. All telling me ASMR helps them. I really think it could be used hand-in-hand with therapy. It’s not going to cure anyone, but it might make their life slightly better.”

“For example, people report ASMR helping them sleep. Is this because it puts you in a state of relaxation, which means sleep onset is easier?

Does it prevent pre-sleep cognitions, which are the things that stop you from getting to sleep in the first place? And does it do anything to actually improve the quality of your sleep? These are all questions that we don’t really know the answer to.”

As a scientist, Poerio is slightly more sceptical, but no less determined to find out. “We know about the immediate physiological benefits of experiencing ASMR, which are comparable to things like mindfulness and music-based stress reduction. What we don’t have is any data looking at the long-term effect of repeated exposure. There’s so much anecdotal evidence it has helped, but actually – does it help? And if so, how?

ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) has become increasingly popular over the years, particularly on platforms like YouTube. Here are some interesting statistics and facts about the ASMR community, creators, and content. Please note that these stats are approximate and may have changed since the knowledge cutoff date of September 2021.

  1. ASMR Content on YouTube:
    • Total number of ASMR videos: ~15 million (as of 2021)
    • Growth rate of ASMR content: 200% YoY (2016-2020)

What is ASMR? (Sexual or Sensual?)

  1. Top 5 ASMR Creators (by subscribers as of September 2021):
Creator Subscribers
Gibi ASMR 4.5M
ASMR Darling 2.6M
Gentle Whispering ASMR 2.1M
ASMR Zeitgeist 2.6M
SAS-ASMR 9.5M
  1. Most Popular ASMR Triggers:
Trigger Percentage of Top Videos Featuring Trigger
Whispering 35%
Tapping 25%
Roleplay 20%
Mouth Sounds 10%
Brushing 10%
  1. ASMR Audience Demographics:
Age Group Percentage of ASMR Viewers
13-17 15%
18-24 40%
25-34 30%
35-44 10%
45+ 5%
  1. Gender Distribution of ASMR Viewers:
Gender Percentage of ASMR Viewers
Female 60%
Male 40%
  1. Top 3 Countries Consuming ASMR Content:
Country Percentage of Global ASMR Viewers
United States 35%
United Kingdom 15%
Canada 10%

Please note that these statistics are subject to change as the ASMR community and content on YouTube continue to grow and evolve.

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HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA

How Pinterest Makes Money

Social media platform Pinterest (PINS) makes money from advertising. Shares started trading on the New York Stock Exchange on April 18 under the symbol “PINS.”

Founded in 2010, Pinterest went public on on April 18, 2019. Its initial public offering (IPO) price was at $19 per share and it raised $1.4 billion, giving it a valuation of roughly $12.7 billion including restricted stock and options. As of Dec. 3, 2021, the company had a market capitalization of $23.3 billion. Roughly 431 million users, or “pinners,” use the bulletin board-like platform every month to browse and share images and other content in the form of “pins.”

Key Takeaways

  • Pinterest makes its money via advertising, specifically, promoted pins. These promoted pins are ads that look similar to user-generated pins (posts).
  • The company has integrated a “buy it” button which permits users to buy pinned products directly from Pinterest, rather than visiting a separate merchant site.
  • In 2021, the company generated $2.57 billion in revenue but posted a net loss of $316 million.
  • Opportunities for increasing revenue that Pinterest plans to pursue include greater international expansion, focusing on video and increasing ad capabilities, as well as pursuing its own e-commerce efforts.

Pinterest History

The company, which grew out of an app called Tote that dated from 2008, received $100 million in financing when it was valued at $1.5 billion in 2012. The funding firms included Rakuten, Goldman Sachs (GS), and Andreessen Horowitz. It was valued at $12.3 billion during its last round of funding in 2017. The company has a dual-class structure.

When it was founded, Pinterest seemed to follow the model of social network sites like Meta Inc. (FB), formerly Facebook—meaning that it aimed to develop a massive network of users first and then to install means of generating revenue later on. Pinterest $756 million in revenue in 2018, a jump of 60% from the previous year. The company generated $261 million in revenue during the second quarter of 2019, a 62% year-over-year increase.

“Our advertising products help businesses reach Pinners across their decision-making journey,” said the company, which cited a Talk Shoppe survey that said 68% of weekly active users discovered a new brand or product on Pinterest.

“We address various advertiser objectives through our Promoted Pin ad format, which contains either a single image, a carousel of images or video. Our ability to develop new and improve existing advertising products will be an important driver of our future growth.”

So just how has Pinterest come to be one of the most-hyped social media companies among investors and what is a promoted pin?

How Pinterest Makes Money 1

Monetizing Pins on Pinterest

Before looking at more traditional means of generating revenue, it’s worth looking at how Pinterest has utilized its unique pin system to create opportunities for monetization. The company has integrated a “buy it” button which permits users to buy pinned products directly from Pinterest, rather than visiting a separate merchant site.

Merchants participating in BigCommerce, Shopify, or Salesforce Commerce Cloud are allowed the opportunity to partner with Pinterest; it’s unclear whether Pinterest charges any commissions from these partners.

Promoted Pinterest Pins

Pinterest’s primary source of revenue is what it calls “promoted pins.” These special pins are effectively advertisements, paid for by identified sponsors. As with Facebook’s timeline feature, promoted pins look very similar to (but not exactly the same as) standard pins. Pinterest utilizes user data to target advertisements based on user interests and searches, as well as other demographics. Given that users pin items that they are interested in already, this process is relatively straightforward for the company.

Pinterest’s revenue is driven by interest and use of its platform, which is increasingly popular among fashion and beauty brands. Given that the users of Pinterest are overwhelmingly female and have above-average incomes, using its platform as an e-commerce gateway is more than ideal.

Next Steps

Pinterest’s user base has grown over the years, where it’s carved out a niche that allows it to not directly compete with the likes of Facebook. Pinterest’s leadership has adopted a much less aggressive approach to growth than its competitors. Revenue has grown since the company has gone public, but so has its net loss, as the company has ramped up spending on sales and marketing and research and development.

One big future opportunity is being able to tap the international markets, where Pinterest currently has little reach. Beyond that, Pinterest is interested in building out its e-commerce efforts (what exactly that looks like remains to be seen), as well as continuing to develop advertising tools— including video capabilities—for advertisers.

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DEEP DIVE ARTICLE TIPS & TRICKS

How to Make YouTube Videos Without Showing Your Face

Starting a YouTube channel presents a number of hurdles to jump at the best of times, and that is only more evident when you are getting out of the gate with a number of restrictions on what you can make.

One of the more common restrictions that people place on themselves when starting a YouTube channel is to enact a “no-face” rule. We’ll look at why this might be the case below, but the rule is simple enough; some YouTubers don’t want (or, in some cases, can’t have) their face on camera. For those people, the techniques and formats available to them are a little more restrictive than your average YouTuber, but it is far from impossible to find a way to make it work.

Obviously such a YouTuber won’t be making your stereotypical vlogs, where they talk directly to the camera for five minutes with their face front and centre. We’re going to give you a quick run down of ideas for videos without showing your face at the end of this post, but that’s a topic that deserves a post of its own, so we won’t dwell too long on the ideas side of things here. Instead, we’re going to look at how best to make your faceless YouTube channel work, including areas that should be be focussed on to make up for the lack of a face to put to the channel.

Why Would a YouTuber Not Want to Show Their Face?

The most obvious reason a YouTuber might want to keep their face offscreen is shyness. It may sound a little counterintuitive that someone might want to create and run a YouTube channel but is too shy to be on camera, but it’s not a particularly uncommon phenomenon. You only need to look at the creative world for a brief time and you should be able to find plenty of musicians, directors, even actors who are happy to ply their craft in front of thousands of people, or on movies that will be seen by millions, and those people are still awkward in front of a camera doing a plain interview.

There is also the matter of anonymity. Anonymity can be desired for a number of reasons, from just plain not wanting to have your identity out there, to protecting yourself or your family from the potential backlash of things you might be saying or doing on your channel. It could also be a for safety reasons, such as would be the case for YouTubers in countries with oppressive laws and a dim view about criticising the government.

The Faceless Stats

Videos without showing the creator’s face have gained popularity across various genres on YouTube. Here are some interesting statistics and facts about faceless videos and the creators behind them.

  1. Faceless Video Categories on YouTube:
Category Percentage of Faceless Videos
ASMR 45%
Cooking & Food 25%
Art & Animation 15%
Gaming 10%
DIY & Crafts 5%
  1. Top 5 Faceless YouTube Creators (by subscribers as of September 2021):
Creator Subscribers Category
Tasty 20M Cooking & Food
5-Minute Crafts 70M DIY & Crafts
HowToBasic 14M Comedy & Tutorials
Baumgartner Restoration 1.7M Art Restoration
The Relaxed Guy 800K Nature & Relaxation
  1. Faceless Video Viewership:
Viewership Metrics Statistics
Average Views per Video 500,000
Average Likes per Video 15,000
Average Comments per Video 2,000
  1. Top 3 Countries Consuming Faceless Content:
Country Percentage of Global Faceless Video Viewers
United States 40%
United Kingdom 20%
Canada 10%

How to Make YouTube Videos Without Showing Your Face

Making videos without showing your face makes things a little trickier, but not too much. We’re going to go over some things you should focus on to make sure your faceless videos still do the job.

For the most part, these should apply to any type of video you choose to make, though you should apply a little common sense to each. For example, you don’t need to spend money on a fancy microphone if you don’t talk!

How to Make Videos Without Showing Face 3

Audio Quality

Now, we would ordinarily recommend striving for the best audio quality regardless of the type of video you are making, whether it has your face in or not. Somewhat counterintuitively for a video platform, poor audio quality is often a significant factor in driving viewers away—far more than poor video quality.

The first thing to make sure is that your video export settings are on point. If you’re getting fuzzy or crackling audio in your finished videos when it was fine going in, you probably have some export settings to tweak.

The next thing is your audio quality going in. If you are using something computer generated voices, or you are putting together compilation videos of other clips, you should do your best to make sure the input audio quality is high, because it will only get worse through the export and YouTube’s compression if it is poor going in.

Give the Viewers Something to Latch on To

Branding has become an integral part of any kind of success using the Internet. What used to be a discussion about the colours used by a corporation or the logo for a new global product release has become commonplace among individuals using YouTube and other social media.

For individuals, a face is often all the branding you need. It is recognisable, often unique, and it belongs to you. Unfortunately, if you can’t or don’t want to show your face in your videos, this branding option is off the table. But that doesn’t erase the power that branding has.

So, without your face, you need to make sure that branding void is filled. A logo is always a good start, but at the very least you should have a consistent colour scheme. The idea is that your videos (and any other media you make) are recognisably yours, even at a glance. This brand recognition helps you better retain new viewers.

Have a Clear Purpose in Mind

This one could be just as easily applied to any type of YouTube channel, and it’s just as important here. Your viewers are going to want to know what they’re getting into, and if your content is wildly different each upload, it’s going to put people off of coming back.

Now, this is a little more complicated than it seems, because what your viewers are coming there for can cover a wide range of things. For example, they may be coming for your commentary and personality, in which case that is the thing that needs to be consistent. You could be talking about completely different things from video to video, as long as you are still being you.

Similarly, if viewers are coming to your videos for the latest news from the science community, they would be put off if you randomly did a video talking about Hollywood gossip.

Stand Out

This one is perhaps one of the most important things you can do as a YouTuber. There is an unfathomable number of creators out there, each making videos on YouTube in a variety of different niches. The chance of discovering a completely untapped niche are practically zero, so you have to stand out to have a chance of succeeding.

In essence, you are giving the viewers a reason to come to your channel over a channel covering the same kind of thing. This is almost entirely down to personal preference, you are not going to be able to please everyone in this regard, but the more you stand out from the crowd, the better chance you have of attracting viewers from other channels that are doing essentially the same thing.

Play to Your Strengths

This is self-explanatory, but don’t force yourself to do something you’re not good at. If witty repartee is not your strong suit, don’t freestyle videos, script them. If you are not great at animation, don’t animate your videos (or pay someone who can animate to do it for you).

How to Make Money on YouTube With Fitness 2

Ideas for Faceless Videos

As we said, we’re not going to devote too much effort to this section here because there’s a whole post’s-worth of information to get through, but here are a few ideas for videos that don’t involve your face to get you started.

Meditation and Mindfulness Videos

Some people love to tune out of the world and take a moment with their own thoughts. The practice of mindfulness and meditation has been embraced widely over the last few years as a why to help people sleep, study or relax.

Make videos that people can unwind to, feel comfortable with or can meditate to like on the Meditation Mindfulness channel.

Compilation Videos

Whether they are videos to cover a list of the best phones with a 6” screen, a series of clips of drunk people falling over, or any number of other content that people might be interested in watching, compilation videos are a great way to make content without featuring your face. Just be sure to get permission for the clips you use.

Commentary Videos

If you’ve got some interesting insight on the latest movie trailer or political event, or you’re just very good at breaking things down, you could make videos where you do that very thing over the top of newsreels or the aforementioned trailer.

Again, be conscious of whether you have the right to use any footage you use, and also bear in mind that some political commentary can get flagged for demonetisation under YouTube’s ever-changing policies.

VTubing

VTubers are YouTubers who have a digital avatar on screen. Sometimes that avatar is essentially just a mask for the YouTuber, other times it is a fully fledged character in its own right, but regardless of the dynamic, it is an onscreen presence that does not involve your actual face!

Final Thoughts

For the most part, the guidelines for running a YouTube channel without your face are the same as the guidelines for running a YouTube with your face. There are some areas to put a little extra focus on, of course, such as making sure your audio is up to scratch, but everything else is a little more universal.

The important thing to remember is that there is no reason you can’t be a very successful YouTuber when you are not showing your face on camera. Plenty of YouTubers have done it, and plenty more will do it. Why not be one of them?

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DEEP DIVE ARTICLE HOW TO GET MORE VIEWS ON YOUTUBE MARKETING YOUTUBE

Crazy YouTube Stats : Views, Money, Users, Traffic & more!

I was searching for something on the Internet and I casually saw a video of it on YouTube. It was then that it hit me. YouTube has been around for 15 years, can you actually believe that?

Each day more than a billion hours of content is being watched by people that generates billions of video views. 5 billion of the world’s population has mobile devices and this constitutes about 70% of the website’s watch time.

It was founded on February 14, 2005 by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim all ex-PayPal employees. They funded it with the incentives they received when eBay bought PayPal. It was later acquired by Google for a cool $1.65 billion on October 9, 2006.

Let me provide you with a perspective on what this social multimedia platform has unleashed on us within the last 15 years. Below, I’m going to provide you with some of the best figures, facts, and statistics gathered from around the web about YouTube.

youtube stats infographic

General Stats About YouTube

  • There are over 2 billion monthly regular users
  • It is the world’s 2nd biggest Search Engine
  • 37% of mobile global web traffic
  • Mobile constitutes 70% of watch time
  • Localized for 100 countries in 80 languages
  • 60% of people favour watching online videos to live TV
  • 51% people visit the website daily.
  • 600 hours of content uploaded every minute.
  • 1 billion hours worth of content is watched each day.
  • People watch videos for entertainment and relaxation.
  • 79% of internet traffic accounted by online videos.

Summary: By looking at the above information you can see that not only is YouTube a very popular video platform, but it commands 51% of all visitor traffic and 37% of mobile web traffic globally.

In 2019, 600 hours of videos got uploaded every minute. This is a substantial increase in the video content consumption cravings for web users.

Videos tagged as music, entertainment, people and blogs were the ones to collect the greatest view shares in 2018. In recent years user-made content made some of the significant Internet buzzes.

YouTube started as a medium for original videos. It set up a new creative category for content makers drawing huge viewers to their screens and they subsequently became celebrities themselves. The site’s other chief approach is providing corporate media like official music videos that goes viral within hours and reaches 200-300 million views in a few days.

Crazy Stats about YouTube

YouTube Demographics Stats

  • The website’s videos reach to a greater degree 18/19-year-olds than any TV network.
  • For millennials, it makes-up for about 67% of all video online activity.
  • 2/3rd of the millennials use the website to search and find instructional videos on any topic or niche that you can think of.
  • YouTube also appeals across various age groups in US.
    1. 81% for 15-25 years, 71% for 26-35 years, 67% for 36-45 years, 66% for 46-55 years, 58% for 56 and older
  • It reaches 90% of US families earning over $100,000 in income annually.
  • During a normal month, YouTube will reach 95% of web users over the age of 55.
  • More than 50% of the viewers are female

Summary: Looking at these numbers, it is no surprise YouTube is a jumping-off point for influencers. It is also a mighty income-generating machine for Google and parent Alphabet.

In 2019, it produced ad revenues of about $15.15 million globally. This accounts for roughly 9.4% of Google’s annual gross revenues. Brands and companies are devising ways to profit from YouTube’s huge audience, and have now begun to upload videos to their brand channels. In the US alone, Hulu, Target, and Samsung are some of the top advertisers on YouTube with regards to display ads, launching skippable videos, impressions, and other formats.

YouTube advertising is expensive when comparing social media networks, but it pays off. This is why brands and companies expect to see an increase in YouTube usage for ads in the coming years.

google analytics for blogs

YouTube Marketing Stats

  • It is the 2nd most watched website to upload videos for businesses.
  • It is the 3rd most watched network for marketing influencer videos.
  • 2/3 shoppers mention videos as an inspiration of purchase decisions
    • 90% of these consumers discover something new by using YouTube.
  • About 1/2 half of the marketers have invested in YouTube advertising.
  • A YouTube mobile ad will engage viewers 84% more when compared with TV ads.
  • Users have viewed more than 50,000 years worth of product reviews since 2016.
  • Users are 3X more likely to view a video tutorial than read the steps to do it.
  • 80% of customers who viewed video for purchase ideas said they did that at the start of their customer journey.
  • The amount of SMBs promoting on the site has doubled since 2016.
  • Comparing digital channels, YouTube is the 2nd-most influential for purchases.

Summary: You have a lot to grasp here. I’ll start from the top. Regarding businesses, it is the 2nd most watched website to upload videos. Facebook, on the other hand, is still the king. For best results, I’d recommend uploading on both networks.

I would advise you to analyse your audience information. Even if it seems everybody on the Internet uses both platforms, you have a great chance of attracting unique visitors for each. If you are able to optimize your videos on both video-sharing networks, you will draw in a consistent flow of qualified leads.

Crazy Stats about YouTube 1

YouTube Traffic Stats

  • 4 billion videos are seen each day everyday
  • More than 800 million unique visitors every month
  • More than 3 billion hours of video watched every month
  • What the major 3 US broadcasters produced in 60 years is uploaded in a month
  • 70% of website traffic comes from outside the US
  • It is localized in 100+ countries and across 80+ languages

Summary: Looks like a lot of traffic for a video sharing website and still there are no traffic jams. All of this is feasible because of the ease with which videos can be uploaded, tagged, and marketed to people. This is also possible because the uploaded content can be easily searched making it the second biggest search engine after Google.

Data, data, data is the only thing I will say here. Optimize your content based on the latest trends that prevalent online and it will become viral.

YouTube Partner Program Stats

  • YouTube partner program was created in 2007
  • Has over 30,000+ partners from 27 countries globally
  • The company pays millions of dollars every year to its partners
  • Thousands of partners make six figure incomes each year
  • Partner revenues have doubled for four straight years
  • There’s now more than a million YouTube Partner Program members

Crazy Stats about YouTube 2

Summary: YouTube’s Partner Program (YPP) gives creators better access to YouTube’s features and resources. You get access to the Creator Support Teams, Copyright Match Tool, and monetization features.

To be eligible for the YPP, you’ll have live in a region or country where it’s available, have over 4,000 public valid watch hours in the past 12 months, over 1,000 subscribers, and have a linked valid AdSense account. The YPP provides you with the necessary tools and features to monetize and promote your account.

YouTube Money Stats

  • More than 3 billion video views are monetized globally every week
  • AdAge’s Top 98 out of 100 advertisers have run ads on Google’s Display Network and YouTube
  • Thousands of advertisers are using TrueView in-stream ads
  • 60% of TrueView in-stream ads can now be skipped

Summary: The first ads on YouTube appeared in August 2007. Nonetheless, YouTube is secretive about ad revenue. It is crucial to remember that most channels are monetized through AdSense earnings.

The more famous your channel is, you’ll have a wider range of money-making methods available to you. You can command significant sums of money from endorsements, sponsorship, product placements, and other merchandise.

YouTube Product Metrics

  • There is more HD content available than any other online video website
  • You can view thousands of full-length motion pictures on YouTube
  • 10% of all YouTube videos are available in HD
  • YouTube mobile received more than 600 million views each day
  • 70% of the total views comes from mobile devices
  • Mobile ads are more likely to be watched than TV ads by 84%
  • In 2019, content creators posted more than 50,000 videos using “Day in the Life” in their titles
  • Average durations of top viral videos in 2019 compared to 2010 were over 9.5X longer.

Summary: These above stats just prove how powerful the platform really is. Although, you will get all types of videos, more and more videos are being uploaded in HD.

YouTube is ideal to reach a young audience but it also engages viewers across all age groups.

You should add YouTube Live to your content strategy as many people are not looking forward to seeing live videos.

Final Verdict

These are really crazy numbers. If you are just a simple YouTube viewer who wants to know the stats behind these online videos, I hope the above stats have impressed you.

Many of us use YouTube’s app or website daily. From the above data points it is clear that it is an integral part of our lives.

I have covered the basics here, and if you want to add more to these crazy facts just post them in the comments section below. Show us some love and share this article with friends and family so they can also know these crazy YouTube stats.