HOW MUCH DOES YOUTUBE PAY?

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and explain How Much Does YouTube Pay? so you understand the platform’s earning structure before planning content or ad campaigns.

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in local SEO services, helping creators, businesses, and brands grow their online visibility and reach new audiences. Many people today view YouTube not only as a creative outlet but also as a source of income. However, one of the most common questions aspiring creators ask is, “How much does YouTube pay?” The answer depends on several factors, including your audience size, video views, content niche, and engagement levels.

How YouTube Pays Creators

YouTube pays creators primarily through the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP). To join, your channel must meet specific eligibility criteria:

  • Have at least 1,000 subscribers.

  • Reach 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months.

  • Follow YouTube’s monetisation policies.

  • Live in a country where the Partner Programme is available.

Once approved, you can start earning money through advertising revenue, memberships, Super Chats, YouTube Premium views, and brand partnerships.

The Role of Ads in YouTube Earnings

Advertising is the main source of income for most YouTubers. When you enable ads on your videos, YouTube displays them before, during, or after your content. Revenue is shared between YouTube and the creator, with YouTube taking around 45% and the creator keeping roughly 55%.

Creators get paid based on two main metrics:

  • CPM (Cost Per Mille): The amount advertisers pay for 1,000 ad impressions.

  • RPM (Revenue Per Mille): The actual earnings a creator receives per 1,000 views after YouTube’s share is deducted.

While CPM reflects what advertisers spend, RPM shows what creators take home.

Average YouTube Earnings

There’s no fixed rate for how much YouTube pays because CPM and RPM vary greatly across channels and regions. However, typical figures can help set expectations.

  • The average CPM (before YouTube’s cut) ranges between £1 and £10, depending on niche and audience location.

  • The average RPM (what creators actually earn) tends to fall between £0.50 and £5 per 1,000 views.

For example:

  • A video with 100,000 views could earn between £50 and £500.

  • A channel receiving one million views per month might earn £500 to £5,000, depending on niche, viewer demographics, and engagement.

These numbers are only estimates—actual earnings can be higher or lower.

Why Niche and Audience Matter

The topic of your content plays a huge role in determining how much you earn. Advertisers pay more to target audiences in certain industries because those viewers are more likely to convert into paying customers.

High-paying niches include:

  • Finance and investing.

  • Business and entrepreneurship.

  • Technology and software.

  • Education and career advice.

  • Health and fitness.

For example, a personal finance channel might earn £8–£12 per 1,000 views, while a general entertainment channel might earn £1–£2.

Geography also matters. Audiences in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe generally attract higher ad rates than audiences in regions where advertising budgets are smaller.

Different Ways to Make Money on YouTube

Once monetised, you can earn income through several streams beyond traditional ads.

1. Channel Memberships

You can offer paid subscriptions to your audience for exclusive content, badges, or perks. These memberships provide recurring monthly income.

2. Super Chats and Super Stickers

If you host live streams, fans can pay to have their messages highlighted. This feature is popular with creators who engage in real-time with viewers.

3. YouTube Premium Revenue

When YouTube Premium members watch your videos, you receive a portion of their subscription fee. This provides income even without ads.

4. Brand Sponsorships

Many creators earn more from brand deals than from YouTube ads. Companies pay creators to feature their products or services in videos. Rates vary depending on audience size, engagement, and influence.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Creators can promote products using affiliate links in their video descriptions. Every time a viewer clicks and buys, the creator earns a commission.

Combining multiple revenue streams makes earnings more stable and scalable.

How YouTube Calculates Payments

YouTube tracks all earnings in your AdSense account. Payment is made monthly once your balance reaches the threshold of £60 (or $100 in the US).

Payments are typically processed between the 21st and 26th of each month. Creators must ensure their tax and banking details are correctly set up to receive funds.

It’s also important to note that YouTube only pays for monetised views—those where ads are displayed. Views from users with ad blockers or on videos without ads won’t generate income.

Factors That Affect Your YouTube Income

Several factors influence how much money you can make:

  • Niche: Certain topics have higher advertising value.

  • Engagement: Likes, comments, and watch time affect how often YouTube recommends your videos.

  • Demographics: Audience location and age impact CPM rates.

  • Ad formats: Longer videos with multiple ad breaks can earn more.

  • Seasonality: Advertisers often spend more during holidays and major sales periods.

Understanding these factors helps creators optimise their content for better performance and profitability.

Example of YouTube Earnings by Niche

To illustrate the differences between niches, here’s a rough comparison of average RPM rates across categories:

  • Personal finance: £8–£15 per 1,000 views.

  • Education and career advice: £5–£10 per 1,000 views.

  • Technology reviews: £3–£8 per 1,000 views.

  • Health and wellness: £2–£6 per 1,000 views.

  • Entertainment and vlogs: £0.50–£2 per 1,000 views.

Creators in lower-paying niches can still succeed by focusing on volume, building brand deals, and creating diversified income sources.

How to Increase Your YouTube Earnings

  1. Improve engagement: Create valuable, high-retention videos that keep viewers watching longer.

  2. Post consistently: More content means more opportunities for views and ads.

  3. Target high-value keywords: Topics with higher ad competition tend to generate more revenue.

  4. Promote longer videos: Videos over eight minutes allow for multiple ad placements.

  5. Build your brand: Attract sponsorships and partnerships through credibility and trust.

By focusing on quality content and audience loyalty, creators can steadily grow both their channel and income.

Common Misconceptions About YouTube Pay

Many new creators assume they’ll start earning immediately after uploading videos, but monetisation requires time, consistency, and audience growth. It’s also a myth that YouTube pays a fixed amount per view. Rates fluctuate daily based on advertiser demand, content type, and viewer behaviour.

Success on YouTube comes from building a loyal audience, not chasing viral hits alone.

Final Thoughts

So, how much does YouTube pay? The answer varies for every creator. While average earnings range from £0.50 to £5 per 1,000 views, creators in lucrative niches or with engaged audiences can earn significantly more.

Ultimately, YouTube rewards consistency, quality, and authenticity. Whether you’re creating tutorials, product reviews, or business content, long-term success comes from providing genuine value to your audience.

At Lillian Purge, we help businesses and creators improve their visibility, optimise their content, and attract more views through effective SEO and digital marketing strategies.

If you want to grow your YouTube channel and maximise your online reach, get in touch today.

We have also written in depth articles on How To Create a YouTube Channel and How to Advertise on Youtube as well as our YouTube Hub to give you further guidance.