How much does a YouTube channel earn? Realities that no one tells you in 2025

When you see a famous YouTuber earning six figures per month, it’s tempting to think it’s easy. But the truth? How much a YouTube channel earns depends on variables that go far beyond simply uploading videos. The niche, the geographic location of the audience, engagement rate, and — most importantly — diversification of income sources make all the difference.

The reality of the numbers: how much does a YouTube channel earn?

There is no single formula. Creators with the same number of subscribers can earn completely different amounts. A channel with 100,000 subscribers in a tech niche with global monetization can make R$ 10,000 monthly, while another of the same size in a local niche might earn R$ 2,000.

Starting channels (up to 10,000 followers): Most have not yet activated all monetization options. They earn an average of R$ 100 to R$ 500 per month, mainly via AdSense. Real growth begins when they combine affiliate commissions, small partnerships, and SuperChat.

Growing channels (50,000 to 500,000): Here, things change. Earnings range between R$ 2,000 and R$ 5,000 per month. These creators already master multiple sources: advertising, Channel Club, sponsored content, and sales of their own products.

Established channels (1 million+): They start earning over R$ 20,000 per month. Some surpass R$ 100,000 when they have robust advertising contracts and campaigns with major brands.

Top creators (tens of millions): Revenue of R$ 200,000 to R$ 3 million monthly is a reality for those with scale, engaged audiences, and good brand negotiations.

Why do the numbers vary so much?

The answer lies in three main factors. First, RPM (Revenue per Thousand views) varies drastically by country and niche. A Brazilian creator earns less per view than an American, even with the same content. Second, it’s not just about views — it’s about who watches. A video with 100,000 views from a North American audience generates more revenue than 500,000 views from audiences in emerging countries. Third, diversification is everything. Those who rely only on AdSense will never earn well. Those who combine ads, affiliates, digital products, and Shorts Premium achieve much higher numbers.

The different ways to earn on YouTube in 2025

Advertising (AdSense): Still the foundation for many. YouTube takes 45%, and you keep 55%. The typical CPM ranges from R$ 1 to R$ 20 per thousand views, depending on the audience and niche.

Affiliate marketing: One of the most profitable for smaller channels. Commissions can reach up to 80% of the product’s value, especially in tech and digital products niches.

SuperChat and Super Stickers: Followers pay to highlight messages during live streams. It seems small individually, but channels with an engaged community earn thousands monthly this way.

Channel Club: Monthly subscriptions that generate recurring revenue. YouTuber keeps 70%. Values range from R$ 2 to R$ 2,700 per plan.

Own products (YouTube Shopping): Selling physical, digital, or merchandise directly. Requires 500 subscribers and access to the Partner Program.

YouTube Shorts Premium: The platform is starting to pay Shorts creators who accumulate significant views — another rising revenue source.

What really matters to start earning

Meeting the requirements is just the first step. You need 1,000 subscribers, 4,000 hours watched on long videos (or 10 million on Shorts), and to be in good standing. But after that? What separates those who earn well from those who earn little is quality, consistency, and strategy.

Quality content attracts a better-targeted audience. Well-segmented audiences generate better RPM. Consistency builds community. Community generates revenue via SuperChat, Channel Club, and products. Strategy means understanding your niche, testing formats, and exploring all possible sources simultaneously.

How much does a YouTube channel earn per view?

Globally, it’s estimated at R$ 0.018 per view. But this is a weighted average. In practice:

• 1,000 views: between R$ 1.50 and R$ 27
• 20,000 views: between R$ 30 and R$ 100
• 100,000 views: between R$ 150 and R$ 500

Again: it depends on the audience, niche, and geographic location.

The conclusion that matters

Making money on YouTube is feasible, but it’s not passive or automatic. It requires professionalism, a well-planned editorial calendar, consistent technical quality, and maximum exploitation of all available monetization options. For those starting out, the right metric isn’t how much they earn today, but what the growth curve looks like. Steady growth with strategic diversification transforms small channels into solid income sources — and yes, even millionaire ones.