Most of us who watch YouTube videos have a vague idea of how money flows through the platform. We see YouTube ads at the beginning of videos, in the sidebars, and in sponsored slots on the homepage. But how much do YouTube creators make when these ads appear in videos? It’s more complicated than you might think.
Learn about how YouTube pays creators and how YouTubers can earn money without having to get it directly from the platform.
Does YouTube pay per view?
No, YouTube doesn’t directly pay per video view. The primary way for creators to earn money is through ad views displayed before, during, or after their videos.
A video view, a key metric for YouTubers, is whenever someone watches a YouTube video, regardless of how long they watch it. A high view count can indicate the popularity of a video and potentially attract viewers, advertisers, and sponsors.
However, it’s up to the creator to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) to earn ad revenue from their YouTube videos. The amount a YouTuber earns per ad view can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of ad, the audience location, and the advertiser’s budget.
How much money does YouTube pay per ad view?
YouTube doesn’t have a fixed rate for ad views. How much a YouTuber makes per ad view can vary significantly depending on audience demographics, audience locations, ad blocker usage, channel size, and engagement metrics. Most estimates put the average earnings per ad view at 1¢ to 3¢. Videos with higher engagement, such as likes, comments, and longer watch times, are more attractive to advertisers, potentially leading to higher payouts per ad view.
How to get paid for ad revenue on YouTube
Joining the YPP is the key to earning ad revenue on YouTube. The eligibility requirements include:
- Having at least 1,000 subscribers to your channel
- Accumulating 4,000 valid public watch hours within the past year
- Linking an AdSense account to receive payments for ad revenue generated on your videos
- Complying with YouTube’s community guidelines and advertiser-friendly content policies
- Being in an eligible location (You can find a list of eligible locations on YouTube’s support page.)
Once you meet the requirements, you can apply for YPP within YouTube Studio. YouTube will review your channel to ensure it complies with its policies, but be aware that this process can take some time. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a notification from YouTube and gain access to monetization features.
Other ways YouTubers can make money
- Affiliate marketing
- Brand partnerships and sponsorships
- Livestreams
- Merchandise
- Channel memberships
- YouTube Shorts
While YouTube ad revenue can be a steady way to make money, it can take time to build the requisite audience. Explore these alternatives to diversify your income streams and build a sustainable career on the platform:
Affiliate marketing
With affiliate marketing, you promote products relevant to your content and create passive income streams via affiliate links posted on your profile or in the descriptions of your videos. You earn a commission whenever someone purchases something through your links. Finding high-quality products and building trust with your audience are the keys to successful affiliate marketing.
Brand partnerships and sponsorships
Sponsorships can provide a fixed fee or revenue sharing based on performance metrics. Partner with brands relevant to your niche to promote their products or services within your videos. Do this through product placements, sponsored segments, or dedicated review videos. Brands typically look for YouTubers with an engaged audience that aligns with their target demographic.
Livestreams
Livestreaming allows for real-time interaction with your audience and the potential to generate income through paid features. It can be a fun and engaging way to connect with viewers and create a sense of community. Use YouTube Live or other livestreaming platforms that offer paid features like Super Chat (which lets viewers pay to highlight their messages in a livestream chat) and Super Stickers (which let viewers send animated stickers in the chat).
Merchandise
If you sell merch, you can build a steady income stream and strengthen your connection with your audience. Unique merch also lets you monetize your creativity and brand beyond just video content. Consider dropshipping branded products such as t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases. And, of course, you can leverage your YouTube channel to promote your merchandise.
Channel memberships
Youtube channel memberships can generate a recurring income stream directly from your most loyal viewers. You can offer exclusive content, early access to videos, or other perks. For each membership you sell, YouTube takes a percentage of the revenue. Creators can manage their memberships through YouTube Studio.
YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts is the short-form section of YouTube, showcasing videos less than 60 seconds long with various features for user interaction. Similar to regular YouTube videos, there are a few ways YouTubers can make money on YouTube Shorts, and once again, none involve direct payment for watch views. The best way YouTube stars can monetize YouTube Shorts is through brand partnerships and promoted product reviews.
How much does YouTube pay FAQ
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
YouTube doesn’t have a fixed rate per 1,000 views (often abbreviated as CPT or CPM, for cost per thousand or cost per mille, respectively). To calculate a rough estimate of YouTube earnings per 1,000 views, consider the average ad view rate for your videos. Factors like niche, audience demographics, audience location, and engagement metrics all play a role in determining ad rates and ultimately, YouTube earnings per view.
How many views do you need to get paid on YouTube?
You don’t get paid simply for views on YouTube. YouTubersearn money through ads displayed before, during, or after their videos. YouTube keeps a portion of the ad revenue, and the creator receives the rest. You only earn money when someone sees an ad (called an ad view). Not every view of your video will result in an ad view, especially if viewers use ad blockers.
Who is the highest-paid YouTuber?
Determining the highest-paid YouTube stars is impossible, because exact figures aren’t always publicly disclosed and how much YouTubers make is typically negotiated privately between the creators and advertisers. Typically, YouTubers also have multiple income streams, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact figure. However, a strong contender for the top YouTube star in 2024 could be MrBeast, who reportedly earned more than $82 million in 2023.
