How Much Money Can You Really Make on YouTube?

Curious about how much those funny cat videos actually earn on YouTube?

Or perhaps you’ve pondered if your rendition of “Baby Shark” on the ukulele could cover your rent?

Before you consider ditching your day job, you need to know: How much does YouTube really pay per view?

Buckle up because we’re diving in to explore whether monetizing your YouTube channel is a worthwhile pursuit.

And stick around till the end because we’ve got eight innovative ways to cash in on your YouTube content.

Can you make money through YouTube?

Absolutely, YouTube does compensate based on views. However, it’s important to note that it’s not about the number of views your video racks up, but rather, the number of views your ads get.

So, the real question isn’t “How much do I earn per view on YouTube?” but rather, “How much can I earn per YouTube ad view?”

Let’s break it down for you to understand: Video views simply refer to how many times your video is watched, while ad views indicate how many times the ads displayed in your video are watched.

YouTube rewards you for the ad views your video generates. If your video hits a million views but lacks any ads, unfortunately, you won’t be pocketing any money.

However, if your video hits a million views with 10,000 ad views, you’ll only earn from those 10,000 ad views.

YouTube’s revenue comes from advertising, so they compensate creators based on the exposure their videos provide to advertisers. That makes sense, right?

The minimum amount of money that YouTubers get for 1,000 views is something about INR 53 or a little above that.

Let’s dive into the factors that influence these earnings:

1. Video Length: Interestingly, the length of videos plays a role in earnings. Sometimes, the longer the video, the higher the pay for YouTubers.
2. International Viewership: On the flip side, if your audience is primarily from outside India or your earnings may take a hit.
3. Viewer Demographics: The age of your viewers can also impact earnings. Generally, if your audience consists mostly of adults, you stand to earn more.
4. Ad Placement: How many ads YouTubers insert into their content also affects earnings per 1,000 views. While placing more ads can boost income, it might bore viewers and potentially harm the channel in the long run.

YouTube pays a different amount for different niches

In general, YouTube tends to pay higher rates for content that caters to specific niches.

Below, you’ll find a list of most popular niches on YouTube to select from:

• Gaming
• Funny Videos and Random Videos
• Music Videos
• Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)
• Educational Content
• Life Hacks
• Personal Finance
• Lifestyle
• Fashion and Try On Hauls
• Software Reviews
• Making Money Online
• Tech, Cars, and Gadgets
• Makeup Tutorials
• Fitness and Bodybuilding
• Home Improvement
• Cooking

How much does YouTube pay to small channels?

As a small YouTuber, your potential earnings on the platform can swing widely, influenced by various factors.

While some may enjoy modest income from ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing, it’s essential to manage expectations.

Typically, earnings correlate with audience size, engagement levels, and niche relevance.

Many small YouTubers start with minimal, if any, earnings as they strive to grow their subscriber base and enhance content quality.

Consistency, creativity, and audience interaction play pivotal roles in paving the way for increased monetization opportunities over time.

For Moderately Successful Channels

With dedication and a touch of charisma in front of the camera, you can navigate your way out of YouTube’s graveyard of underperforming channels.

At this point, you should start seeing some AdSense revenue trickling in each month, especially if you’ve dipped your toes into affiliate marketing.

YouTube, a moderately popular channel holds the promise of a decent income, although the actual earnings fluctuate significantly.

Beyond ad revenue, additional income streams like sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and merchandise sales can substantially boost earnings for moderately popular channels.

Some estimates even propose that a channel with 100,000 subscribers could pocket an extra $1,000 to $5,000 (INR 1.5 – 3.5 lakh) per month from these alternative revenue sources.

While moderately popular channels might not generate massive profits like top-tier creators, they can still serve as a reliable income stream for YouTubers who are willing to put in the effort.

Crossing the one million mark!

Once a YouTube channel amasses millions of subscribers, life becomes smoother for its creators.

These channels start gaining fame and recognition as influential players in their niche. With such a massive following, the potential for earning decent money increases significantly.

At this level, channels are likely to attract sponsorship deals, endorsements, and product placements.

Many YouTube stars are also well-known enough to sell merchandise to their dedicated fanbase.

Even review-oriented channels with this level of following can generate substantial income through affiliate marketing, even if they’re only affiliated with Amazon, which typically offers modest advertising payment rates ranging from 1% to 20% to affiliates.

Different methods to make money on YouTube

Diversifying your income on YouTube goes beyond relying solely on ads, especially if you’re just starting or don’t have a substantial following. Here are some other avenues to explore:

1. Affiliate Marketing: Join an affiliate program, such as Amazon’s, and incorporate your affiliate links into your video descriptions or even create content around specific products. This way, when viewers make purchases through your links, you earn commissions.
2. Merchandise and Products: Use your skills or offerings. Whether you excel in design, have products to sell, or provide services as a freelancer or coach, showcase them on your channel. It’s a direct way to connect with potential customers.
3. Brand Collaborations: Partner with different companies and brands to create sponsored content. In return, you receive compensation. This mutually beneficial relationship can boost your income and provide valuable content for your audience.
4. Utilize Other Content: You don’t always have to create original content. Legally using other creators’ content is an option, but it’s important to adhere to YouTube guidelines. By doing so, you can still monetize videos without producing your own material.

Wrapping up

Picking a niche on YouTube involves more than just aiming for high CPM (Cost Per 1000, impressions) rates and potential earnings.

It’s crucial to start by considering your passions and knowledge. As highlighted in this piece, success on YouTube requires consistent video uploads over several months or even years.

Prioritizing your interests and expertise, rather than focusing solely on income potential, is key when navigating the world of YouTube niches.