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

CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER

Issue #91 | Dec. 13, 2022

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.

– Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor

TOOLS REVIEW

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

Which YouTubers became the richest, and what can we learn from them?

By Rachel Kiley, Passionfruit Contributor

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

→ READ THE FULL STORY

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.

SHOP HOLIDAY DEALS

ONE GREAT TIP

“Immerse yourself into the culture and content of video creation. I think understanding social media and being primarily a consumer of good content is an understated factor that contributes to a creator’s success.”

—Food creator KWOOWK on understanding internet culture. Read more in our October 2022 interview.

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

READ THE FULL STORY →

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

READ THE FULL STORY →

IN THE BIZ

  • John Green left Twitter.
  • Instagram cut creator payments for Reels once again. (via the Information)
  • Twitter dissolved its Trust and Safety Council. (via AP News)
  • Fashion influencer Arielle Charnas’ business is failing, according to more than 20 former and current employees. (via Insider)
  • Celebrities are being sued for promoting Bored Ape NFTs. (via the Hollywood Reporter)
  • Meanwhile, a lawsuit against celebrities promoting crypto project EthereumMax was dismissed. (via CNBC)
  • TikTok is being sued for false claims surrounding user data and age-appropriate content. (via CNN)
  • Creator technology company Jellysmack laid off 55 employees. (via the Information)
  • MrBeast joined the video game Fortnite to launch a $1 million challenge and sell digital skins. (via the Verge)

TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT

This is one of our favorite uses of the viral mirror filter yet.

Content for Creators.

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

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • 🚫 Is It OK To Delete Comments?

    🚫 Is It OK To Delete Comments?

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #130 | May 2, 2023 Building a fandom and community is the heart of sharing content and art. But along with positive attention comes the negative, and at times trolls and harassment can seem neverending.  As a creator’s audience grows, so do their tough decisions around content moderation. When is deleting negative…

    By

    Grace Stanley

  • 😢 Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues

    😢 Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #129 | April 27, 2023 Oh boy, the Twitter drama never stops coming. Remember when Elon Musk said all legacy verified accounts not subscribed to Twitter Blue would lose their blue tick on April 1? Well, most of them did on April 20, but some high-profile creators kept their check marks, with…

    By

    Grace Stanley

  • ⌛How To Survive a Decade in the Gamer Game

    ⌛How To Survive a Decade in the Gamer Game

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue #128 | April 25, 2023 When you’re a streamer, having a long-lasting career is a big question mark. The creator “economy” and gaming industry are too new for us to know what it really takes to keep creating for 20, 30, or 40 years. Seismic platform shifts on Twitch and YouTube…

    By

    Grace Stanley