Tag: YouTube Premium Revenue

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HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE TIPS & TRICKS YOUTUBE

Do YouTubers Get Paid if You Have YouTube Premium?

Do YouTubers Get Paid if You Have YouTube Premium?

Yes, YouTubers do get paid when YouTube Premium members watch their videos.

The short version is simple: Premium viewers do not see ads, but creators can still earn because YouTube shares a portion of Premium subscription revenue with eligible creators.

The more useful question is how that money is worked out, whether it replaces ad revenue, whether Premium views are worth more, and what this means for creators trying to build reliable income on YouTube. That is what this guide covers properly.

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.

This matters because YouTube monetisation questions are often answered with half-truths. Creators need the practical version, not just a one-line yes or no.

If you want the wider monetisation picture as well, read What Percentage of YouTubers Make Money?. If you want help applying any of this to your own channel, you can book a discovery call.

Quick answer: do YouTubers get paid if you have YouTube Premium?

Yes. If a YouTube Premium member watches a monetising creator’s content, that creator can earn a share of YouTube Premium subscription revenue based on how much Premium members watch their content.

Premium viewers do not see ads, but creators are not left with nothing. YouTube pays eligible creators from subscription revenue instead.

That is the short answer Google can quote and the reader can use immediately.

The longer and more useful answer is that YouTube Premium creates a different revenue path from normal watch-page ads. Premium members pay a subscription fee. YouTube then distributes a portion of that revenue to creators based on member watch behaviour.

YouTube’s own help documentation states that revenue from YouTube Premium membership fees is distributed to creators based on how much members watch their content, and that subscription revenue is paid on the same monthly cycle as ad revenue. Source: YouTube Help.

How YouTube Premium pays creators

The simplest way to think about it is this:

  1. A viewer pays for YouTube Premium.
  2. They watch videos without ads.
  3. YouTube tracks how Premium members spend their watch time.
  4. A portion of Premium subscription revenue is distributed to eligible creators.
  5. The more Premium watch time your content gets, the more of that revenue pool you can receive.

YouTube Help puts it plainly: Premium membership fees are distributed to creators based on how much members watch your content. YouTube Help.

Viewer type What they see How the creator can earn
Free viewer Ads may show Ad revenue, plus other monetisation features if enabled
YouTube Premium viewer No ads on eligible videos Share of Premium subscription revenue, plus other monetisation features if enabled

That means Premium does not cancel creator earnings. It just changes the source.

Does YouTube Premium replace ad revenue?

Yes, for that specific Premium watch session.

If a Premium member watches your video, they are not seeing ads in the normal way, so that view is not generating standard ad revenue in the way a free viewer might. Instead, the creator can earn from the Premium revenue share model.

In plain English: ads are replaced by subscription revenue, not by nothing.

This is why the right answer to the main question is not just “yes”. It is “yes, but via a different revenue stream”.

Are Premium views worth more than ad-supported views?

Sometimes, but not in a simple one-size-fits-all way.

A Premium view is not automatically “worth more” every single time. The exact value depends on how Premium revenue is distributed, where the viewers are, how much Premium watch time your content gets, and how that compares with what the same audience might have generated through ads.

Question Better answer
Do Premium viewers help creators earn? Yes
Do Premium views count as ad views? No, they use Premium revenue sharing instead
Is every Premium view worth more than every ad-supported view? No, it varies
Can Premium still be valuable for creators? Absolutely, especially for watch-time-heavy channels

If you are trying to understand how view value changes across revenue types, also read Do YouTubers Get Paid More If I Watch the Whole Ad?, Do YouTubers Get Paid If I Use AdBlock?, and How Much Money Does 1 Million YouTube Views Make?.

What still counts when someone watches with Premium?

A lot more than many people realise.

Premium viewers can still contribute to:

  • watch time
  • audience retention signals
  • channel growth
  • recommendation momentum
  • Premium revenue sharing
  • other monetisation layers like memberships, Super Thanks, products, or external offers

Older YouTube Help guidance also confirms that background play and downloaded views from Premium users still count toward revenue sharing in relevant contexts because the watch activity still contributes to Premium watch behaviour. The core point for creators is simple: Premium viewers still matter.

Why this matters for strategy: you do not need to make “Premium-friendly” content. You need to make content people actually watch. Premium revenue follows watch behaviour.

Who can earn from YouTube Premium views?

Not every creator automatically qualifies.

To earn from YouTube Premium revenue sharing, you generally need to be in the YouTube Partner Programme and have the relevant monetisation modules enabled. YouTube’s expanded Partner Programme overview confirms that ad and Premium revenue sharing sit behind the full monetisation thresholds. YouTube Help.

Requirement area What matters
YPP eligibility You need to be accepted into the YouTube Partner Programme
Revenue sharing eligibility You need the relevant monetisation modules and compliant content
Content suitability Your content still needs to follow YouTube monetisation policies

If you are still working toward those thresholds, read How to Get 1,000 Subscribers and 4,000 Hours Watch Time and What Percentage of YouTubers Make Money?.

Fresh official facts worth knowing

This topic gets stronger when you anchor it in current YouTube documentation rather than old forum myths.

Fact Why it matters Source
YouTube says Premium membership fees are distributed to creators based on how much members watch their content This is the direct answer to the core question YouTube Help
YouTube says subscription revenue is paid on the same monthly cycle as ad revenue Useful for creators checking payment expectations YouTube Help
YouTube says Premium revenue sharing is part of YPP monetisation Confirms that Premium income is a real creator revenue stream, not a side perk YouTube blog, 2025
YouTube says RPM includes YouTube Premium revenue alongside ads and other revenue sources Shows Premium earnings are already folded into the broader revenue picture creators see YouTube Help

How Premium fits into a wider YouTube income strategy

YouTube Premium is valuable, but it is not usually the thing you build your channel strategy around directly.

The better approach is to build content that performs well in general: stronger topics, stronger thumbnails, stronger intros, more watch time, and more audience trust. Premium revenue then becomes one part of a broader monetisation mix.

A healthy YouTube income stack can include:

  • ad revenue
  • YouTube Premium revenue
  • memberships
  • Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks
  • affiliate links
  • sponsorships
  • products, services, or coaching

This is why Premium is worth understanding, but not worth obsessing over in isolation. It supports good content. It does not replace good content.

If you want to widen this into a fuller income strategy, also read Do YouTubers Still Get Paid for Old Videos?, Can YouTubers Control Which Ads Are Shown?, and The Top Ways to Monetise Your YouTube Channel.

Video pick: Why most YouTubers do not make money

This helps place Premium revenue in context. It matters, but it is only one part of a bigger creator economy picture.

Tools that genuinely help you build a monetisable channel

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 Watching revenue mix and audience behaviour This is where you see the broader monetisation picture, including RPM and viewer behaviour Learn how to read the right signals
vidIQ Topic research and search-led growth Useful for building content people actually click and watch, which matters for both ads and Premium revenue Try vidIQ or read my vidIQ review
TubeBuddy Workflow and publishing support Helpful when you want practical channel management support without pretending it will do the strategy for you Try TubeBuddy or read my TubeBuddy review
StreamYard Live streams, interviews, webinars Useful because live viewers can also support channels through more than one monetisation route at once Try StreamYard or read my StreamYard review
Syllaby Content planning and ideation Useful when your bottleneck is consistent topic planning, not just editing or analytics Try Syllaby or read my Syllaby review

Which tool should you pick first?

  • Start with YouTube Studio if you want the most direct view of how your channel is actually earning.
  • Use vidIQ or TubeBuddy if your bigger bottleneck is discoverability and packaging.
  • Use StreamYard if live content or fan-funding formats matter to your business model.
  • Use Syllaby if your issue is consistency and planning, not raw editing.

What I would do if I were trying to earn more from YouTube

  1. Stop thinking only in terms of ads.
  2. Build better content that holds attention for longer.
  3. Use analytics to understand audience behaviour, not just vanity metrics.
  4. Build a revenue mix that includes more than one stream.
  5. Treat Premium as part of the system, not the whole strategy.

Final thoughts

If you came here for the fast answer, here it is again: yes, YouTubers do get paid if you have YouTube Premium.

The important detail is that they are not paid through normal ads on that Premium watch. They earn through YouTube’s Premium revenue-sharing model instead.

That makes Premium an important part of the creator economy, but it is still only one part. The bigger goal is to make content people want to watch, because watch behaviour drives almost everything else.

If you want help building that kind of channel, start with Who Is Alan Spicer?, read how I help creators and brands grow, or book a discovery call.

Frequently asked questions

Do YouTubers get paid if I have YouTube Premium?

Yes. Premium viewers do not watch normal ads, but creators can earn a share of YouTube Premium subscription revenue based on how much Premium members watch their content.

Do Premium views count as ad views?

No. Premium views use a different revenue model. Creators can still get paid, but through Premium revenue sharing rather than normal ad serving on that watch.

Are YouTube Premium views worth more?

Sometimes, but not always. The value varies depending on watch behaviour, geography, and how Premium revenue compares with what ads might have generated.

Do YouTubers lose money if I watch with Premium?

Not automatically. Premium replaces standard ad revenue on that watch with subscription-based revenue sharing.

Can small YouTubers earn from Premium?

Yes, but only if they are eligible for the relevant monetisation features through the YouTube Partner Programme and their content meets monetisation policies.

Does YouTube Premium affect memberships or Super Thanks?

No. Premium mainly changes the ad experience. Other monetisation features such as memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks are separate revenue streams.

Does background play or downloaded Premium viewing still matter for creators?

Yes. Watch behaviour from Premium users still matters because Premium revenue is tied to how members consume content.

Is YouTube Premium important for creator strategy?

It matters, but it is not usually the main lever to optimise directly. Better content, stronger retention, and a wider monetisation mix still matter more.

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

What Percentage of YouTubers Make Money?

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.

Categories
HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE

How much money does 1 million YouTube views make?

1 million YouTube views can make anything from very little to a significant amount, depending on niche, audience location, monetized playbacks, video length, and the creator’s wider revenue system.

That is the short answer. The useful answer is understanding why there is no single fixed payout for 1 million views, what RPM actually tells you, and how ads, Premium, memberships, affiliates, and buyer intent can completely change the result.

This guide breaks that down properly, including realistic scenarios, why two channels with the same views can earn wildly different amounts, and what creators should optimise if they want those million views to be worth more.

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.

This matters because the “1 million views” question is one of the most searched and one of the most badly answered. Most articles throw out a number with no context. Real creator earnings do not work like that.

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

Quick answer: how much money does 1 million YouTube views make?

There is no fixed number. A practical answer is that 1 million YouTube views might make a few hundred pounds or dollars, a few thousand, or much more if the channel has strong RPM and additional monetisation beyond ads.

The better question is not “What is the one number?” It is “What RPM, audience, niche, and business model sit behind those views?”

YouTube’s own revenue analytics guidance explains why this varies so much. RPM is the creator-focused metric that includes total revenue reported in YouTube Analytics, including ads, YouTube Premium, channel memberships, Super Chat, and Super Stickers, divided by total views. It also says not all views monetise and not all views have ads. That alone tells you why 1 million views does not equal one universal payout.

Why there is no fixed payout for 1 million views

YouTube does not pay a flat rate per view.

What a creator earns depends on things like:

  • how many of those views were actually monetised
  • what advertisers were willing to pay in that niche
  • which countries the viewers came from
  • whether viewers were watching long-form content or Shorts
  • whether the creator also earned from YouTube Premium, memberships, or other revenue
  • whether the video had strong buyer intent or weak entertainment intent
Factor Why it changes the money
Niche Finance, business, software, and high-intent topics often monetise better than broad entertainment
Audience location Advertiser demand varies heavily by country
Video format Long-form, Shorts, livestreams, and Premium watch behaviour do not monetise the same way
Ad suitability Some topics attract more advertiser demand than others
Extra monetisation Affiliates, memberships, and products can make the same 1 million views worth far more

Why RPM is the better metric than guessing

If you want to answer the million-views question properly, RPM is the best starting point.

Simple definitions:

  • RPM = what the creator actually earns per 1,000 views after revenue share, including more than just ads.
  • CPM = what advertisers pay per 1,000 monetized playbacks before YouTube’s share.

YouTube’s analytics help makes this clear: RPM is creator-focused and includes multiple revenue sources, while playback-based ad metrics are narrower. That means RPM gives a more realistic “what did I actually make?” answer.

If you want the deep dive, also read What Is YouTube RPM? and What Is YouTube CPM?.

1 million views income scenarios

These are not guarantees. They are examples based on how RPM works.

Example RPM Approximate revenue for 1 million views What this usually suggests
£0.50 / $0.50 About £500 / $500 Weak monetisation, low advertiser demand, low monetised playback rate, or poor fit
£2 / $2 About £2,000 / $2,000 Decent baseline long-form monetisation for some general channels
£5 / $5 About £5,000 / $5,000 Stronger niche, better monetisation quality, or additional revenue sources
£10 / $10 About £10,000 / $10,000 High-intent niche, strong audience value, or excellent monetisation setup

This is the cleanest way to answer the headline question without lying. The value of 1 million views depends on the RPM behind them.

Why two channels with 1 million views can earn completely different amounts

Two channels can hit the same view count and still see wildly different outcomes.

Channel type Why the earnings may differ
Broad entertainment May attract large view counts but weaker advertiser value per view
Finance or software education Can attract higher advertiser demand and higher-value audiences
Music or covers May face revenue-sharing, rights issues, or weaker RPM depending on setup
Product review channel Can add affiliate income on top of YouTube revenue

This is also why a smaller channel in a stronger niche can sometimes out-earn a much bigger one.

Why 1 million views can be worth far more than ad revenue

The smartest creators do not think of 1 million views as just ad money.

They think of those views as audience attention that can be monetised in layers.

One million views can also generate: affiliate sales, memberships, sponsorship interest, lead generation, course sales, product sales, consultation bookings, and stronger brand authority.

This is why the same million views can be worth £2,000 to one creator and £20,000+ in total business value to another. The ad revenue is only one layer.

If you want the wider monetisation picture, also read Do YouTubers Get Paid If You Have YouTube Premium?, Do YouTubers Get Paid If I Use AdBlock?, and What Percentage of YouTubers Make Money?.

How to make 1 million YouTube views worth more

If your goal is to increase the value of your views, these are the levers that matter most:

  1. Choose topics with stronger advertiser and buyer intent.
  2. Attract audiences in countries and niches with stronger commercial value.
  3. Build videos that qualify for more monetised playbacks and stronger watch time.
  4. Add affiliate bridges, products, services, or memberships.
  5. Treat YouTube as a business system, not just a view counter.

This is the difference between chasing vanity metrics and building a creator business.

Fresh official facts worth knowing

This topic gets much stronger when you anchor it to YouTube’s own definitions instead of random internet payout guesses.

Fact Why it matters What it means in practice
YouTube says RPM includes ads, YouTube Premium, memberships, Super Chat and Super Stickers Shows million-view value is broader than ad revenue alone 1 million views can be worth more than a simple ad estimate
YouTube says not all views have ads and not all views monetise equally Explains why view count alone does not predict income 1 million views does not equal one fixed payout
YouTube says Premium gives creators another way to get paid when members watch their content Shows ad-free viewers can still contribute revenue Million-view earnings can include Premium watch value too
YouTube’s earnings reports are subject to adjustments including invalid traffic and content claims Shows estimated revenue is not always final Creators should be careful about treating early estimates as guaranteed payouts

Video pick: RPM vs CPM on YouTube

This is the most useful companion here because the million-views question makes far more sense once you understand RPM and CPM properly.

Tools that genuinely help you make your views worth more

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 Tracking RPM, top earners, and monetisation quality This is where you see what your views are actually worth rather than guessing from internet averages Learn how to read the right signals
vidIQ Topic research and search-led planning Useful because better topic selection can drive stronger monetisation than chasing random viral views Try vidIQ or read my vidIQ review
TubeBuddy Workflow and optimisation support Helpful when you want to execute consistently and keep more of your content library monetisable over time Try TubeBuddy or read my TubeBuddy review
StreamYard Live formats and audience monetisation Useful if your million-view business model also includes memberships, Super Chat, and direct audience support Try StreamYard or read my StreamYard review
Syllaby Content planning and repeatable monetisable topics Useful when you want a better system for publishing content with clearer business intent Try Syllaby or read my Syllaby review

Which tool should you pick first?

  • Start with YouTube Studio if you want the cleanest answer to what your views are actually worth.
  • Use vidIQ or TubeBuddy if you want to improve topic quality and discoverability.
  • Use StreamYard if your monetisation mix includes live audience support.
  • Use Syllaby if you want more repeatable, monetisable content planning.

What I would do if I wanted my next 1 million views to be worth more

  1. Stop asking for one universal payout number.
  2. Track RPM and top-earning topics instead.
  3. Build content with stronger commercial intent.
  4. Add monetisation layers beyond ads.
  5. Treat views as business attention, not just vanity metrics.

Final thoughts

If you came here for the fast answer, here it is again: 1 million YouTube views can make very different amounts depending on RPM, monetized playbacks, audience location, niche, and whether the creator monetises beyond ads.

That is why you will see people quote wildly different numbers online and all sound confident. The real answer is not one magic payout. The real answer is the monetisation system behind the views.

If you want help building the kind of channel where 1 million views is actually worth serious money, start with Who Is Alan Spicer?, read how I help creators and brands grow, or book a discovery call.

Frequently asked questions

How much money does 1 million YouTube views make?

There is no fixed number. A useful estimate depends on RPM, niche, monetized playbacks, audience location, and how much revenue comes from more than just ads.

Can 1 million YouTube views make £1,000?

Yes, depending on the RPM. At £1 RPM, 1 million views would equal about £1,000, but some channels earn much less or much more.

Can 1 million YouTube views make £10,000?

Yes, in higher-value niches or when the creator has a strong monetisation mix. At £10 RPM, 1 million views would equal about £10,000.

Why do some creators earn more per million views than others?

Audience location, niche, advertiser demand, monetized playbacks, and additional revenue streams can change the value of the same number of views dramatically.

Does RPM matter more than CPM for this question?

Usually yes. RPM is closer to what the creator actually earns across total views.

Do 1 million Shorts views pay the same as 1 million long-form views?

No. Shorts monetisation works differently, so you should not assume the same payout logic applies.

Can affiliates and products make 1 million views worth more?

Absolutely. In many cases, the biggest money from 1 million views comes from monetisation beyond watch-page ads.

What is the best way to increase the value of YouTube views?

Focus on stronger commercial topics, better audience fit, higher RPM, and multiple revenue streams beyond ads alone.

Categories
HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE

How to Make Money on YouTube in the UK

How to Make Money on YouTube in the UK

YouTube has become a viable career for many around the world, and the United Kingdom is no exception. Aspiring content creators in the UK have the opportunity to turn their passion into profit.

But how exactly does one go about making money on YouTube in the UK?

I use VidIQ to maximise my channel growth. It has helped me grow from 12K subscriber to over 50K since 2021!

Let’s explore the key steps, strategies, and unique challenges.

1. Understand the Basics of Monetization

Firstly, you need to understand how monetization works on YouTube. The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is essential for earning revenue. In the UK, you must meet the following criteria:

  • At least 1,000 subscribers
  • Minimum of 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months

2. Choose Your Niche Carefully

Selecting a niche that resonates with your interests and the UK audience is crucial. Whether it’s British culture, fashion, football, or gardening, finding your unique voice and target audience is essential for success.

3. Create Engaging Content

Quality content that engages viewers will make them return for more. Being authentic, entertaining, and informative can help you build a loyal community.

4. Utilize Different Revenue Streams

Here are the main monetization strategies available to YouTubers in the UK:

  • Ad Revenue: Through Google AdSense, YouTubers receive a share of the revenue from ads displayed on their videos.
  • Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive perks to subscribers for a monthly fee.
  • Super Chats: During live streams, viewers can pay to have their messages highlighted.
  • Affiliate Marketing: Partnering with brands and promoting products for a commission.
  • Sponsorships: Collaborating with businesses to create sponsored content.

5. Comply with UK Regulations

Understanding the UK’s regulations regarding taxes, copyright laws, and advertising guidelines is essential to operate legally and ethically.

6. Analyze Your Performance

Regularly analyzing your performance through YouTube Analytics helps in understanding what works and what doesn’t. Focus on metrics like watch time, audience retention, and engagement.

7. Network and Collaborate

Collaborating with other UK YouTubers can expand your reach and increase your credibility. Attending events and engaging with the community both online and offline can foster meaningful connections.

YouTube Partner Program Requirements

Criteria Requirement in the UK
Minimum Subscribers 1,000
Watch Hours in the Previous 12 Months 4,000

Average Earnings by Views (Estimated)

Views Range Estimated Earnings in GBP (£)
1,000 – 10,000 £2 – £20
10,000 – 100,000 £20 – £200
100,000 – 1M £200 – £2,000
1M+ £2,000+

Top YouTube Categories in the UK (by popularity)

Category Percentage of Total UK YouTube Views
Music 20%
Gaming 15%
Entertainment 12%
Beauty & Fashion 10%
Education 8%

UK YouTuber Demographics (Age Group)

Age Group Percentage of UK YouTubers
13-17 10%
18-24 35%
25-34 30%
35-44 15%
45+ 10%

These tables give an overview of various aspects of YouTube in the UK, such as the requirements for monetization, average earnings, popular categories, and demographics of content creators. Keep in mind that these numbers are illustrative and should be cross-referenced with up-to-date sources for accuracy in specific situations.

How to Make Money on YouTube in the UK 1

Challenges and Unique Aspects in the UK

  1. Stiff Competition: The UK’s YouTube scene is bustling with talent, so standing out requires creativity and perseverance.
  2. Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and appealing to the diverse cultural landscape in the UK can be a unique challenge.
  3. Trends and Preferences: Keeping up with the rapidly changing trends and viewer preferences specific to the UK audience can be demanding.

Conclusion

Making money on YouTube in the UK is an exciting prospect but requires hard work, persistence, and strategic planning.

By understanding the UK market, abiding by the local regulations, engaging with the community, and leveraging multiple revenue streams, you can turn your YouTube channel into a thriving business.

Whether you’re in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, the opportunities are vast, but the journey is uniquely British, filled with both challenges and rewards.

Categories
YOUTUBE

Do YouTubers Get Paid If You Download Their Video?

Do YouTubers Get Paid If You Download Their Video?

There’s a common misconception that YouTubers are paid for the number of downloads a video gets. The reality is a bit more complicated.

YouTube’s monetization system is structured around views and advertisements, not downloads.

Let’s dive deeper into this topic and dispel any lingering confusion.

How Are YouTubers Paid?

At its core, YouTube’s payment model primarily relies on advertisements and views, not downloads. It’s also important to note that not all views are created equal.

  1. Ad Revenue: This is the primary source of income for most YouTubers. Advertisements that appear before, during, or after a video are what generate income. The YouTuber is paid a share of the advertising revenue from these ads. This payment is usually calculated based on Cost Per Mille (CPM), meaning the cost per thousand views. The average CPM varies between countries and genres, but as of 2021, it ranged from $0.25 to $4.00 in the United States.The niche in which a YouTube channel operates can significantly influence the CPM rates. The rates vary based on audience demographic, engagement, and demand from advertisers.Here’s a rough estimation of average CPM rates across various popular YouTube niches:
    YouTube Niche Average CPM Rates
    Tech $4.00 – $6.00
    Finance $8.00 – $12.00
    Gaming $2.00 – $4.00
    Beauty and Fashion $3.00 – $6.00
    DIY and Crafts $2.00 – $4.00
    Health and Wellness $5.00 – $7.00
    Food and Cooking $3.00 – $5.00
    Travel and Lifestyle $2.00 – $4.00
    Education $4.00 – $7.00
    Entertainment and Comedy $2.00 – $4.00

    It’s important to note that these are rough estimates and actual rates can vary significantly. Factors such as viewer location, viewer age, and seasonality also play a role in determining CPM rates. Moreover, these rates are subject to change as market dynamics evolve.

  2. YouTube Premium: This is a subscription service offered by YouTube. It allows users to watch ad-free videos, access YouTube Originals, and play videos in the background. When a YouTube Premium member watches a video, the creator is paid out of the subscription fee. This income depends on the total watch time by YouTube Premium members.YouTube Premium revenue is split between all the creators a subscriber watches in a given month, based on the watch time. So, it’s hard to give concrete figures for individual channels, but we can certainly share a rough understanding of how the funds are divided.Please note, the following percentages are approximate, and actual percentages may vary:
    YouTube Premium Revenue Breakdown Approximate Percentage
    YouTube’s Share 45%
    Creators’ Share 55%

    YouTube usually takes approximately 45% of the total revenue as their share, leaving around 55% to be distributed among creators. The portion a particular YouTuber receives is calculated based on the amount of watch time they generated among YouTube Premium viewers.

    For instance, if a user watches one YouTuber A for 20 hours and another YouTuber B for 10 hours in a month, YouTuber A will receive twice the share of YouTube Premium revenue compared to YouTuber B from this particular user’s subscription fee.

  3. Channel Memberships and Super Chat: These are features that allow fans to directly support their favourite YouTubers. Channel Memberships allow fans to pay a monthly fee for special perks, while Super Chat lets viewers pay to have their messages highlighted during a live chat.YouTube also enables creators to earn through features like Memberships and Super Chat. These features allow fans to directly support their favourite creators. Here’s a breakdown of how much creators earn from these revenue streams:
    Revenue Stream Fees and Splits
    YouTube Memberships 70% to Creator, 30% to YouTube
    Super Chat 70% to Creator, 30% to YouTube

    For YouTube Memberships, creators receive 70% of the membership fee after local sales tax is deducted. The rest goes to YouTube. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, there were three default price points: $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 per month, but these prices can be adjusted based on the creator’s preference and local currency.

    Super Chat, on the other hand, allows viewers to pay to have their messages highlighted during a live chat. The fee breakdown is the same as Memberships – creators receive 70% and YouTube takes 30%.

    Remember, these splits apply after any local sales tax and, in the case of iOS purchases, after the app store’s transaction fee is deducted. This can significantly affect the net revenue a creator receives. As a result, the actual earnings for a creator might vary significantly based on several factors, including their location and the platforms their viewers are using to purchase memberships or send Super Chats.

  4. Merchandise Shelf: This feature allows YouTubers to showcase their official merchandise right on YouTube.
  5. Brand Partnerships: Many YouTubers also earn money through sponsorships and partnerships with brands.

The following table illustrates the most common revenue streams and their average rates:

Revenue Stream Average Rates
Ad Revenue (CPM) $0.25 – $4.00
YouTube Premium Varies
Channel Memberships $4.99, $9.99, $24.99 per month
Super Chat Varies
Merchandise Shelf Varies
Brand Partnerships Varies

Please note these rates are just averages and actual rates may vary greatly depending on numerous factors such as the YouTuber’s audience size, engagement, location, and video content.

So, What Happens If You Download a Video?

When a user downloads a video, it doesn’t directly contribute to a YouTuber’s income. The YouTuber gets paid when a viewer watches the video on YouTube’s platform, not when it’s downloaded. Downloading a video often means viewing it offline, which bypasses YouTube’s ad-serving platform and therefore generates no ad revenue for the YouTuber.

It’s worth noting that downloading YouTube videos for offline viewing without explicit permission from the creator is against YouTube’s terms of service. YouTube does provide an option for offline viewing through YouTube Premium, but this doesn’t involve downloading the video in the conventional sense. These views do count towards the total views and generate revenue for the creator.

Conclusion

In summary, YouTubers are not directly paid for video downloads. Instead, they earn money through ad revenue, channel memberships, Super Chat, the Merchandise Shelf, brand partnerships, and YouTube Premium views.

Downloading a video without explicit permission could potentially harm a YouTuber’s income, as it bypasses the revenue they could earn from ads.

Supporting your favourite YouTubers by watching their videos on the platform is the best way to ensure they get paid for their hard work.