💰 What Can We Learn From YouTube’s All-Time Top Earners?

CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER


Top-earning YouTubers rake in millions of dollars each year from brand deals, merchandising, and launching product lines. 

While TikTok won the attention of many Gen Zers, the top earner on TikTok in 2021, Charli D’Amelio, only earned $17.5 million. That’s less than what the top nine YouTube monetizers made in 2021. 

With that monetization potential, YouTube will likely hold its stake and continue to grow in the new year. This week, Passionfruit contributor Rachel Kiley takes a look at the numbers behind YouTube’s top earners, assessing how they got there and what we can learn from their stories.


TOOLS REVIEW

10 of the top-earning YouTubers of all time—and what we can learn from them

Jake Paul, Markiplier, and Mr. Beast in front of green to blue gradient YouTube background Passionfruit Remix

The best gift for the mobile content creator

Love to shoot content with your phone? Capture more than quick snaps with high-quality mobile lights, lenses, mics, gimbals, and more with Moment gear. Get up to 60% off on holiday picks for mobile content creators to give to your family, friends, or even yourself.


ONE GREAT TIP


THE HIGHLIGHT

What the Sophia Rosing case reveals about racism and the viral economy of Black trauma

It is essential for creators to unpack how virality around an incident of hate is profitable for social media platforms.

By Prince Shakur, Passionfruit Contributor


TIPS AND TRICKS

Personality-driven content creator Sol Carlos discusses the importance of spontaneity

“You don’t need a fancy camera, an extensive, elaborate set, or a fancy outfit to go viral. You only need a memorable personality.”

By Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor


IN THE BIZ


TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • In Defense of Meme Halloween Costumes

    In Defense of Meme Halloween Costumes

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #284 | Oct. 24, 2024 – Taylor Lorenz, Passionfruit Contributor PLATFORMS YouTube vs. GunTube Why a crackdown on firearms videos is more complex than it may seem. By Lon Harris, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED The 29th Annual Webby Awards are open! Join past winners like MrBeast, Recess Therapy, Abi Marquez, and Mark Rober, and be recognized alongside culture-shaping brands and companies like Netflix, Gucci,…

  • Twitch Criticized for Its Approach to Israel and Palestine Content

    Twitch Criticized for Its Approach to Israel and Palestine Content

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #283 | Oct. 22, 2024 On Sunday, Twitch released an apology statement acknowledging that it had “inadvertently” blocked user sign-ups from Palestine and Israel since Oct. 7, 2023. In the story below, Passionfruit’s Charlotte Colombo explains why this “unacceptable miss” happened and how creators spotted the error. Though people from both Palestine and Israel were…

  • Harassment on X Just Got a Lot Worse

    Harassment on X Just Got a Lot Worse

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #282 | Oct. 17, 2024 This week, X confirmed that major changes are coming to the block feature, leading many content creators and large accounts to question their use of the platform. These changes were previously announced by Elon Musk. Beginning “soon,” blocking someone on X will no longer actually block them from seeing your…