How does the YouTube revenue split between creators and the platform?

samrah
3 min readJul 29, 2023

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In easy words, let’s understand how the revenue split works between creators and the YouTube platform.

YouTube generates revenue primarily from advertising. When ads are displayed on videos, advertisers pay YouTube for their placements. The revenue generated from these ads is shared between YouTube (the platform) and the creators (video owners) whose content the ads appear on.

The revenue split between creators and YouTube is not fixed and can vary based on several factors, such as the type of ads, the location of viewers, the type of content, and the presence of YouTube Premium subscribers. Let’s break down how the revenue split works in different scenarios

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YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Ads:

Creators who are part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) are eligible to earn money from ads displayed on their videos.

The revenue generated from YPP ads is split between YouTube and the creator. YouTube typically keeps 45% of the revenue, and the remaining 55% goes to the creator.

This means that for every $1 earned from YPP ads, YouTube takes 45 cents, and the creator receives 55 cents.

YouTube Premium Revenue:

YouTube Premium is a subscription service where subscribers pay a monthly fee for an ad-free and offline viewing experience.

Creators also get a share of the revenue generated from YouTube Premium subscriptions based on the watch time of their content by YouTube Premium members.

The exact revenue split for YouTube Premium is not publicly disclosed, but it is generally believed to be distributed based on watch time proportion.

Channel Memberships and Super Chats:

Creators who offer Channel Memberships or receive Super Chats during live streams get to keep most of the revenue generated from these features.

The exact revenue split for Channel Memberships and Super Chats can vary, but creators usually get a significant portion of the earnings, with YouTube taking a smaller percentage for handling transaction fees.

It’s important to note that the revenue split might not be the same for all creators and can depend on various factors, including the creator’s location, the content’s audience, and the types of ads shown on the videos. YouTube’s algorithm also plays a role in ad placement, which can impact revenue.

Additionally, creators must reach a minimum threshold of earnings before they can withdraw their revenue from YouTube. This threshold varies based on the creator’s location and the currency they are using.

YouTube provides a transparent and detailed revenue dashboard for creators, allowing them to track their earnings, ad performance, and other important metrics related to their channels.

In summary, the revenue split between creators and YouTube is a way to compensate creators for their content while allowing YouTube to generate revenue from advertising and premium subscriptions.

The split varies based on different revenue streams, with creators typically receiving the majority share of earnings from features like YPP ads, Channel Memberships, and Super Chats. As creators grow their channels and engage their audiences, they can unlock the potential to earn more revenue from their YouTube content.

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