💰 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

  • 🎂 Passionfruit Turns 1!

    🎂 Passionfruit Turns 1!

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 58 | August 11, 2022 It has been one year since we sent out the first issue of Passionfruit (formerly known as the Daily Dot Creator Economy Newsletter, which doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, does it?). We’ve changed a lot since then. We got a new name and a new…

    By

    Passionfruit

  • 🎤Dixie D’Amelio’s Latest Music Video

    🎤Dixie D’Amelio’s Latest Music Video

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 57 | August 9, 2022 When you’re as big as the D’Amelios, there is no shortage of brands that want to partner with you. For the video for her song “Someone to Blame,” Dixie D’Amelio partnered with photo and video app developer Lightricks to get her fans involved in her music…

    By

    Passionfruit

  • 🦁‘Lion King’ in Minecraft

    🦁‘Lion King’ in Minecraft

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 56 | August 4, 2022 The creativity of Minecraft users is limitless and awe-inspiring, to say the least. They’ve recreated Westeros, landmarks, and even a working library dedicated to freedom of the press. Now, there’s a burgeoning theater scene that holds in-game productions of various plays and musicals, including Disney’s Lion…

    By

    Passionfruit