How many views does a YouTube video need to make money?

If you're an online content creator who uploads videos on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, it's no secret that earning income through your channel comes down to how popular you are — and by extension, just how many people watch those videos.

But what about when you don't have millions of followers or a subscriber base? What if you want to know exactly how many views you'll need in order to start making some extra cash via monetization? Here's everything you need to know.

How much can you get paid for watching videos?

The short answer is that there isn't one set rate per platform. Depending on where your audience is located and which country you live in will determine whether or not certain streaming services pay significantly higher than others. For example, as we previously reported, Netflix doesn't actually share viewership data with creators. As such, if you're based outside North America you won't be able to see any stats regarding revenue generated from your video streams.

In contrast however, services like Amazon Prime Video do offer creators a way to track their performance across multiple countries at once. If you use this feature then you’ll receive monthly reports detailing your viewing figures over time. These statistics also include information such as average viewer age, gender breakdown, device usage, and so on.

As well as these official stats being available, third-party tools exist too. The likes of VidIQ, VeedMe, TubeBuddy, and StreamElements all allow users to check what other viewers are consuming while they watch. Of course, the best thing would be to build up a large enough following before signing up to any particular service but if you're looking to find out what kind of numbers you should aim for, these sites can help.

A word of warning though, these apps aren't always accurate. Some companies only provide data pertaining to their own products (Amazon) whilst others rely solely upon user input (VidIQ). To avoid disappointment, only use reliable sources.

That said, even if you don't have tens of thousands of followers, there are still plenty of ways to generate traffic to your channels without having to worry about paying anything back to anyone.

How much can you earn from watching videos?

Even if you've got hundreds of thousand subscribers, you might have already guessed that it's difficult to get rich off of YouTube alone — particularly if you only produce original content rather than rehashes of existing material. However, if you look closely at the demographics of the biggest stars on the platform, you'll notice a few patterns emerge.

For instance, PewDiePie has racked up billions of views since he began uploading vlogs onto his now defunct subscription-based gaming network, Team 10, back in 2013. In 2019, Forbes estimated his earnings between $6 million (£4.3m) and $12million (£8.7m), depending on how long he keeps going. He has since moved away from producing new videos after splitting with his business partner earlier this year, but his subscriber count remains high.

Another notable figure is Lilly Singh, better known as IISuperwomanII. A Canadian singer/songwriter whose real name is Lisa Whelan, she first gained popularity thanks to her viral "Roar" music video uploaded to Facebook in 2011. She currently boasts nearly 20 million subscribers and regularly pulls in millions of dollars worth of ad revenues every month. Her success wouldn't have been possible had it not been for the number of views her videos accumulated prior to monetisation becoming commonplace.

Of course, these examples are far from universal. Plenty of big names on the platform started off playing small gigs before building themselves into multi-million dollar businesses. But regardless of what you decide to focus on, you shouldn't feel discouraged if you're unable to hit the same heights as them right away. Instead, take the time to learn about different types of content creators and how each type generates its own unique kinds of income.

What site pays the most for watching videos?

It might come as a surprise, but despite the amount of eyeballs tuning into your videos, everyone isn't getting rewarded equally. According to research conducted in 2018, four major players dominate the industry. They are Google Adsense, ShareASale, Revver, and eBay Partner Network.

Google Adsense is probably the easiest form of revenue sharing to understand. It essentially allows publishers to display ads alongside their content free of charge, provided they meet certain requirements. So long as you reach the minimum threshold of 500 impressions a day, you'll be eligible to participate.

According to eMarketer, advertisers spend around $14 billion annually on digital media, meaning there's a near endless supply of potential placements for you to nab.

ShareASale operates similarly to Adsense, except instead of using automated systems to place banners against your content, you'll need to actively solicit clickthrough links from interested parties. Once signed up, visitors clicking on your link will automatically head straight to a product page. While this means you'll need to create relevant titles, descriptions, and tags (in line with search engine guidelines), you won't technically be charged unless someone makes a purchase.

Revver and eBay Partner Network are both similar to ShareASale in terms of the process involved. Users simply choose a banner image from either source and embed it somewhere within the text of your post. Both providers will add a link to whichever item they deem appropriate, allowing consumers to buy directly from your profile. Again, it's important to note that neither company will ever ask you to pay for clicks.

What app pays you to watch videos?

While the above methods work great for generating passive income, sometimes you might want something a little bit more hands on. Fortunately, mobile technology offers solutions here too.

Two popular options are Fiverr Advertising and Swipely Offers. Each of these marketplaces focuses exclusively on selling advertising space on individual creators' profiles. Subscribers to these networks may opt to view sponsored posts, although they will never be forced to see advertisements that break advertiser rules.

Fiverr Advertising lets brands target specific demographic groups by setting custom budgets for placement. Meanwhile, Swipely Offers shows creatives various marketing opportunities depending on where their audiences are found.

Other less conventional forms of payment are beginning to pop up too. Companies like Sponza are working towards creating a blockchain marketplace dedicated entirely to connecting influencers with brand partners. Brands can bid on sponsorship spots on videos posted to social networking platforms, with the funds raised distributed among contributors.

If you're wondering whether or not it's possible to earn some extra income through your favorite online content creator, the answer is yes -- but only if they allow monetization and have partnered with relevant companies who will reward them accordingly.

In this article, we'll explain what kind of revenue creators can expect when their channel reaches certain milestones on YouTube. We'll also show you how to find out which channels are earning the most in terms of viewer numbers. For example, Taylor Swift earned $55 million dollars in 2014 thanks to her music streaming service Spotify alone. If she were to release another album like Red, would she be able to top those earnings? It all depends on how popular she becomes.

The following guide tells you everything you need to know about making money off of YouTube without having to create original content yourself. Keep reading to learn more!

Here's our list of tips on how to start getting paid for being creative on YouTube:

Do YouTube videos get paid for views?

YouTube has been around since 2005, so in 10 years time it’s highly unlikely any new platform will come along to compete with it. The fact that Google owns Youtube means that it could become even bigger than Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at some point. And considering its popularity among millennials, it may even surpass Apple as well. Since Youtube already accounts for 50 percent of total internet traffic worldwide, there’s no reason why other platforms shouldn't follow suit once enough people join up.

But before we talk about ways to make money from creating content on Youtube, let us first address the question of whether or not viewers get rewarded for watching videos. In short, the answer is "yes". However, these rewards vary depending on where exactly the view was coming from. For instance, one company called Vimeo offers creators 70 cents per thousand views while others offer up to $4.5 per 1000 views. So, while some users might think twice about clicking on a link because they don't want to support someone just doing something random (like clickbait), others actually enjoy watching entertaining videos created by real artists. Some viewers simply love hearing different kinds of opinions, and appreciate learning a little bit more about current events every day. Therefore, it's important for both consumers and creators alike to realize that viewing content doesn't always mean giving away money either.

Now that we've got that cleared up, here are the main methods that help YouTuber's receive financial compensation for sharing their work with the world.

What sites pay you to watch videos?

Watching a few funny cat clips isn't going to cut it anymore. Nowadays, people tend to share longer bits of content -- such as full movies -- via social media, especially on platforms like TikTok. That's where websites like Revver and Flixya come into play. These services connect creatives directly with fans, offering them the chance to make money for watching films and TV shows. But before anyone gets too excited, keep in mind that these apps require users to sign up in order to gain access to premium features. By signing up, however, you agree to the site's Terms Of Service, meaning that whatever happens between you and whoever you choose to partner with is entirely your responsibility.

Revver takes 20% of the revenues generated from sales made using their marketing tools. They also provide creators with the option to set their own price points, allowing them to decide how much they'd rather charge for a particular film. For filmmakers looking to sell their content, they give creators the opportunity to upload their movie onto the website itself, thus maximizing exposure for potential buyers.

Flixya charges creators 40% commission for each sale made through their platform. To qualify for payment, a user must fill out a form explaining how long they watched said clip, as well as providing information regarding previous purchases. Creators aren't required to use Flixya's promotional materials unless they wish to do so.

Another method you can take advantage of involves partnering with various ad networks. While these options typically involve higher fees than the above two mentioned options, sometimes they yield better results. AdSense allows marketers to display advertisements on their pages based on keywords related to the product or brand they represent. When users engage with these ads, advertisers pay publishers, including creators, for clicks. While this sounds great in theory, it's often difficult for small businesses to generate sufficient interest in products that justify paying large sums of money to market them. Another downside to consider is that if you plan on selling your work for less than 30 minutes, you'll likely have trouble generating significant profits.

It should go without saying that if you're a big-time YouTuber, chances are that you won't run out of opportunities to make additional cash from your channel. After all, established influencers usually have partnerships with several brands. A quick search on Pinterest reveals campaigns specifically designed to appeal to women, young adults, etc. Even though the average woman spends over 3 hours browsing the web every day, most of her attention tends to focus on food, fashion, beauty and lifestyle topics. As a result, advertising space within Pinterest seems ripe for capturing consumer eyeballs.

By now, you understand that monetizing your YouTube channel requires creativity and persistence. On the next page, we discuss how to increase your visibility to ensure greater success down the line.

Can you get paid by watching videos?

Videos, be they funny animal clips or romantic comedies, generally garner hundreds of thousands of views within days of posting. With millions of daily active users, it's easy to see why platforms like Netflix are willing to spend billions of dollar annually on producing new content for audiences across the globe. Unfortunately, that's also when things get tricky. Most people who post interesting snippets end up losing sight of the goal behind wanting to grow their subscriber count. Without proper guidance, many creators fall victim to the infamous "content trap", whereby they chase after the fickle nature of viral trends in hopes of reaching larger audiences.

One way to avoid falling prey to this trap is to seek advice from successful creators. Other entrepreneurs recommend focusing on building relationships instead of trying to force content upon your audience. Instead, try thinking about what makes your followers tick and then finding a way to incorporate that into your repertoire. Once you figure out what works best for your niche, stick with it until your loyal fanbase grows exponentially.

You can also leverage free resources available to aspiring creators. One useful resource includes YouTube Studio, which provides helpful tutorials and guides for budding stars. Although it hasn't yet reached the level of mainstream notoriety seen in other areas of entertainment, YouTube Studio has helped countless individuals build their personal channels.

Lastly, remember that it's crucial to stay true to your style. Unless you happen to possess extremely rare talent, it's hard to establish credibility overnight. Take it slow, master your craft and consistently put effort toward growing your presence. The rest will surely follow.

As far as passive streams of income goes, it's worth mentioning affiliate programs. Affiliate links enable creators to promote branded items and merchandise sold online. Users merely visit the merchant's designated webpage and select the desired item(s). The merchant receives a percentage of the purchase price whenever the referred customer completes his/her transaction.

Affiliates earn commissions ranging anywhere from 25%-75%, depending on the number of customers brought in. Popular merchants include Amazon, eBay, iTunes, Etsy, and PayPal. Aside from the aforementioned perks, affiliates also reap benefits such as increased SEO rankings and the ability to track conversions.

There are three major downsides to bear in mind. First, it's expensive to maintain an affiliate program. Second, you'll need high conversion rates in order to produce meaningful gains. Third, you'll have to deal with spam complaints, fraudulent transactions, and refund requests. Luckily, these issues mostly occur during the beginning stages of running an affiliate business, thereby minimizing hassle later on.

To sum things up, you can definitely make money from watching videos, but it takes a lot of patience, skill and luck. Before jumping right in, prepare yourself mentally by researching strategies used by other successful YouTubers. Also, remember that growth comes from consistency.

Finally, never forget that nothing beats good ol' fashioned word-of-mouth referrals. Word travels fast when it comes to matters pertaining to finances, and if your reputation precedes you, you might soon discover that the path leading to your online fame leads straight to your bank account. Just look at the case of Pewdiepie. Despite his relatively low subscriber count compared to fellow YouTubers, he managed to bring in approximately 7 billion views on his video titled "Scare PewDiePie" last year. Considering his popularity, it's safe to say that his future prospects remain bright.

So, now you know a thing or two about the basics involved in becoming a vlogger. Next step? Start exploring opportunities offered by reputable companies eager to capitalize on your unique talents.

Just remember that although you may eventually succeed in achieving your goals, it didn't happen overnight. There's no shortcut to gaining recognition amongst your peers. Be prepared to dedicate ample amounts of time and energy towards cultivating your career. Don't worry, you'll probably feel passionate about your newfound passion sooner than you imagine.

YouTube has become the second most popular website on the internet after Google. It's home to millions of vloggers and creators who upload their content daily. And while it may be easy to think that all these people are making money purely through ads, this isn't entirely true — especially if they're new or haven't made a name for themselves yet.

But what about those top channels with millions of subs and thousands of dollars in monthly revenue? How did they grow so fast? We looked into some numbers to figure out exactly how many views do you need to start earning cash online as a creator. Here's everything we found.

What is monetization?

The term "monetizing" refers to when someone makes money off something (usually advertising). In order for an individual to monetize their output, there must first be a demand for said product/service. That means creating things which have value.

This can also refer specifically to a company using its products to generate income via advertisements. For example, companies like Facebook use user data to show targeted adverts based around users' interests and demographics.

It's important to note however that this definition doesn't apply solely to businesses — individuals can also monetise their work too. Creators such as YouTubers, podcasters, and streamers often do just that. They create original content such as web series, podcasts, and even full-length movies, then promote them across platforms where viewers can find them. Once enough eyes see them though, the channel starts generating revenue.

When talking about monetising your own content, it's vital to remember two key points. Firstly, that you shouldn't rely solely on one source of income. Secondly, that you should focus on building relationships with potential partners rather than simply selling yourself short.

In terms of finding success as a creator, keeping both of these points in mind will help boost your chances at getting featured on other platforms, sponsored events, and eventually being able to quit your day job altogether.

So let's say you've got your own YouTube channel. What kind of views would you need to make $1 per month? Let's take a look at several different scenarios...

Scenario One: A New Creator With 0 Views

Let's suppose you want to start a YouTube channel but don't have anything to offer right now. The easiest thing to do would be to search for existing examples of successful creators in similar genres, and copy their strategies. But before doing that, there are a few things you'll probably want to know.

Firstly, it's worth noting that not everyone gets featured immediately. Some creators spend years working hard without seeing results until finally landing their big break. Others go viral overnight due to luck alone. So naturally, you won't always need hundreds of thousand views to land a deal either.

Secondly, keep in mind that the number of views required differs depending on whether you're trying to reach mainstream audiences or niche ones. Channels targeting general audiences usually require fewer views compared to smaller groups. While the exact amount varies between shows, here's a rough estimate of what you'd need to sustain yourself financially:

If you're hoping to feature alongside bigger names, you might only need 500k views. However, if you're aiming for a small group of fans, you could potentially get away with having less than 200k overall views combined.

To give you an idea of how low these figures actually are, consider the case of Logan Paul. He reached his peak viewer count back in 2017, peaking at over 60 million total views. Nowadays he barely reaches 10 million, mainly because he hasn't released any new material since January 2018. If you were to add up his 2019 views, they wouldn't come close to his earlier high — instead, he needs approximately 5 million views every time he releases a clip.

While this seems pretty depressing, keep in mind that these kinds of views aren't necessarily guaranteed. There are plenty of channels with far lower view counts than theirs which still manage to maintain a decent level of engagement.

One notable example is Pewdiepie, whose subscriber base stands at 20 million. Despite consistently releasing new content multiple times a week, he rarely hits higher than 2 million concurrent streams. His lowest concurrent viewership was recorded during a livestream in February 2020, which had only 400 people tune in at once.

These numbers highlight another important point: namely that YouTube analytics tools are notoriously inaccurate. Even reputable sites including SocialBlade and Streamlabs regularly misreport viewing figures. As a result, you should never put faith in metrics alone. Instead, aim to build relationships with others within your field and trust your gut instinct.

With this in mind, let's move onto our next scenario...

Scenario Two: A Channel Making Money From Ad Revenue

For established creators, the process of reaching financial stability is fairly straightforward. Simply set up your account, hit record, and wait for the checks to roll in. Unfortunately, this approach isn't realistic for newer creators looking to turn their passion project into a career.

As mentioned above, it takes years to achieve widespread popularity as a creator, especially if you're starting from scratch. Meanwhile, advertisers tend to prefer established brands with loyal followers already — meaning you need to attract a massive audience quickly. To make matters worse, large channels typically receive better placement on the platform's recommended page. This means you'll struggle to appear alongside them unless you're willing to pay to advertise directly.

That's why most new YouTuber fall victim to the dreaded #adblock epidemic. Ads disrupt the experience of casual viewers, and when viewed together they can deter customers from clicking further. Because of this, most major networks forbid their artists from placing commercial banners anywhere near the main feed.

Of course, this problem exists elsewhere too. On Twitter, influencers face similar issues. Not only are ads disruptive, but they're also harder to click on thanks to how closely tweets are spaced apart. Snapchat stories consist almost exclusively of live footage, so they're difficult to scroll through. Instagram posts featuring images or text are similarly tough to scan.

And speaking of scanning, let's try to gain insight into what happens when you press play on a typical YouTube video.

YouTuber John Green shared some interesting statistics regarding his channel's growth last year. According to him, his average minute watched increased by 3x each month throughout 2019. During the same period, his hours viewed jumped by 6x. When comparing that to previous years, his minutes spent watching doubled in 2016, while hours seen rose by 22 percent in 2015.

Despite this impressive growth rate, Green noted that his highest hour viewed ever came in June 2019. At the time, he racked up 23.6 million cumulative hours watched — which translated to 731 days.

Considering his channel has been active since 2010, this means that Green managed to rack up roughly 30 months of continuous viewing time during 2019.

Now compare this to how long it took him to accumulate half a billion views. In December 2014, Green uploaded a video titled "The Last Days Of Old Town," which consisted of clips from his book Paper Towns. By November 2017, it had surpassed 15 million views. Over four years later, the video currently boasts over 28 million views.

Since Green didn't release any new material in that time, the bulk of those views likely happened organically. Considering his past efforts, it's safe to assume that it took somewhere in the ballpark of 12-18 months to achieve half a billion views. Given that his current subscriber base stands at nearly 4 million, that means he can comfortably support himself off the royalties generated from his most lucrative video.

However, as previously stated, this is unlikely to happen overnight. Most creators begin their journey with little to no capital behind them, and they continue paying dues as they learn how to establish themselves. It's therefore essential to understand how long it takes to recoup investment costs before quitting your 9-5.

At the very least, you should ensure that you're covering basic expenses such as hosting fees, production equipment rental, editing software, travel, etc. Then factor in additional investments such as marketing, promotions, social media management, subscriptions, and merchandise sales. All of these can easily eat up 50%+ of your profits.

Given how expensive running a professional creative outlet is, it's crucial to invest wisely and avoid wasting resources on unprofitable ideas. Don't waste money on vanity projects, and stick to producing content that's genuinely valuable to your target audience.

Can you get paid for watching Netflix?

Aside from YouTube, Vimeo is another popular destination for creatives looking to share their work. Unlike YouTube, it places greater emphasis on aesthetics and quality. Still, despite sharing the same network, you cannot seamlessly transition between the two services.

Videos published on Vimeo generally carry higher resolution, use longer titles, and feature more polished transitions. Therefore, to maximize earnings, you'll need to adapt your style accordingly. Below are some tips to consider if you choose to pursue a career on Vimeo.