YouTube as a source of income: what creators are really earning in 2025

Monetization on YouTube does not follow a single formula. How much a YouTuber earns depends on multiple factors: channel size, niche explored, engagement rate, geographic location of the audience, and diversification of revenue sources. This article details the actual numbers, payment structures, and what is needed to get started.

The reality of the numbers: how much each creator earns

Earnings increase proportionally with channel growth. See the practical ranges:

Beginners (up to 10,000 subscribers): Earn between R$ 100 to R$ 500 monthly, mainly via Google AdSense. At this stage, it’s common to diversify with affiliate programs, selling own products, and small paid collaborations that accelerate revenue growth.

Growing creators (50,000 to 500,000 subscribers): Income jumps to R$ 2,000 to R$ 5,000 per month. They combine earnings from ads, SuperChat, Channel Memberships, and direct advertising campaigns — for example, a YouTuber with 20,000 subscribers typically earns in the lower range of this scale, between R$ 500 and R$ 1,500.

Established channels (1 million+): Surpass R$ 20,000 monthly, often reaching R$ 100,000 when including premium advertising contracts and sponsored videos by major brands.

Top creators (millions of subscribers): Earn between R$ 200,000 to R$ 3 million monthly, driven by robust advertising contracts, campaigns, and various strategic partnerships.

How views translate into revenue

Revenue per view varies globally. The average international values are:

• Approximately US$ 0.018 per individual view
• CPM (Cost per Thousand impressions): between US$ 0.25 to US$ 4.50
• RPM (Real Revenue per Thousand views): lower than CPM as it reflects what the creator actually receives

A video with 20,000 views generates between US$ 36 to US$ 60 in gross ad revenue, though the final amount heavily depends on the region’s CPM.

Revenue streams: how creators make money

Google AdSense: The standard method. Ads shown before, during, or after videos. The creator retains 55% of ad revenue. Payment depends on CPC (cost per click) and regional CPM. Beginners usually earn less because their CPM is lower.

Affiliate and Marketing: A highly profitable program, especially for smaller channels. Commissions can reach up to 80% depending on the promoted product, often making it more lucrative than pure AdSense.

Integrated YouTube Store: Connect physical products, digital goods, or merchandise. Requires 500 subscribers and participation in the Partner Program. Certain niches like children’s content cannot access this feature.

SuperChat and Super Stickers: Followers contribute during live streams to highlight messages. A model based on direct engagement, not view volume.

Channel Memberships: Recurring subscriptions ranging from R$ 1.99 to R$ 2,699.99. The creator receives 70% of each subscription.

YouTube Premium: Part of the monthly subscriptions from Premium users is distributed among creators whose content they watch.

When does monetization start

To access the YouTube Partner Program and activate revenue:

• Minimum age of 18 years
• 1,000 subscribers on the channel
• 4,000 hours watched on long videos OR 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days
• Channel in good standing (no violations)

Payments are released after accumulating US$ 100 or more in revenue.

Technical and professional setup

Creating profitable content requires more than sporadically posting videos:

Essential equipment: quality camera (current smartphone works), dedicated microphone, editing software (Premiere, DaVinci, CapCut), basic suitable lighting.

Editorial strategy: consistent publishing schedule, optimized thumbnails for clicks, titles balancing SEO and attraction, planned scripts. Consistency outweighs occasional quality.

Diversification of income: channels combining ads, affiliate marketing, products, and partnerships earn 3 to 5 times more than those relying solely on AdSense.

Growth curve matters more than initial earnings

Many creators expect high earnings from the start and give up. The reality: the first few months bring little money but lay the foundation for a scalable project.

Accelerated growth comes from consistency, gradually improving technical quality, and deep understanding of the audience. A channel that grows from 100 to 10,000 subscribers in a year proves to have a viable model; a stagnant channel at 5,000 may need rethinking.

Making real money on YouTube is entirely possible. It’s not about posting and waiting but thinking like an entrepreneur: studying metrics, testing formats, understanding the algorithm, building community, and most importantly, maintaining frequency. For those who persevere with a clear strategy, turning a small channel into a solid — and even significant — income source is a matter of time and dedication.