Yes, it is possible to make money with YouTube Premium, but not directly as a standalone creator option. YouTube Premium is a subscription-based service that provides an ad-free experience, exclusive content, and offline viewing for users. As a creator, you can earn money through YouTube Premium indirectly by creating content that attracts YouTube Premium subscribers. When a YouTube Premium subscriber watches your videos, YouTube shares a portion of their subscription fee with you. This adds an additional revenue stream alongside traditional ad revenue for content creators.
Key Ways To Make Money with YouTube Premium
Here are ways you can make money with YouTube Premium:
1. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content
The more engaging your content, the more likely it is to attract both regular viewers and YouTube Premium subscribers. Focus on creating videos that can retain attention, like tutorials, vlogs, educational content, or entertainment.
2. Leverage Long-Form Content
Since YouTube Premium subscribers pay for an uninterrupted, ad-free experience, longer videos can lead to more watch time, which translates to higher earnings from their subscription.
3. Explore Niche Content for Loyal Audiences
Cater to a specific niche that appeals to a loyal audience, as they are more likely to be Premium subscribers. Niche audiences often value content enough to pay for an uninterrupted viewing experience.
4. Maximize Views from Premium Subscribers
YouTube Premium users contribute more per view than regular viewers, so focusing on getting your content in front of Premium users can increase your revenue. Share your content on platforms where Premium subscribers are active.
5. Create Exclusive Content
Premium subscribers may be drawn to creators who offer behind-the-scenes content, exclusive videos, or early access to regular content. This can help build a loyal audience that includes more Premium users.
6. Engage with YouTube Communities
Engaging with communities and collaborations with other creators may help spread your videos to a broader audience, including YouTube Premium users, boosting your potential earnings.
By focusing on these strategies, you can earn more through the YouTube Premium model while building a sustainable income as a content creator.
How much income can be generated when one tries to make money with YouTube Premium
The financial support you can expect from YouTube Premium depends on several factors, including the amount of watch time your content receives from Premium subscribers and the type of content you produce. YouTube Premium revenue is a supplemental income stream that complements your ad revenue, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and other monetization strategies.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from YouTube Premium earnings:
1. Revenue Distribution from YouTube Premium
YouTube distributes a portion of the subscription fees from YouTube Premium members to creators based on the amount of time Premium members spend watching their content. Unlike ad revenue, which is based on views and ads displayed, YouTube Premium payouts are based purely on watch time. The more time Premium subscribers spend watching your videos, the more revenue you’ll earn.
- Premium Subscriber Base: A portion of the subscription fee from YouTube Premium users is pooled together, and creators earn a share of this based on their content’s share of total watch time.
- Estimated Share: While exact figures aren’t publicly disclosed, estimates suggest that YouTube Premium revenue per 1,000 views (RPM) could range between $1 to $3 per 1,000 views on average. However, this can vary widely depending on your niche and how much Premium subscribers engage with your content.
2. Watch Time Impact
Since earnings from YouTube Premium depend on how much time Premium subscribers spend on your videos, longer videos or videos that keep viewers engaged will increase your revenue. Channels that have high retention rates and long-form content typically earn more from YouTube Premium than those with short videos.
- Niche Impact: Channels that offer in-depth educational content, tutorials, or long documentaries tend to have higher watch times, leading to higher earnings from Premium viewers. For example, creators in niches like finance, tech, and self-development may see more extended viewer engagement compared to channels that produce shorter entertainment content.
- Example Earnings: If your channel generates 1 million watch time minutes per month from YouTube Premium members, and you are earning $3 per 1,000 views, you could earn $3,000 from YouTube Premium. For a smaller channel generating 100,000 watch time minutes, earnings could range from $100 to $300 per month.
3. Scaling Your Earnings
The more you grow your channel and increase your total watch time, the more you can earn from YouTube Premium. Key strategies to boost your Premium earnings include:
- Encouraging Longer Watch Sessions: Create playlists and encourage viewers to watch multiple videos in a single session.
- Focus on Quality Content: High-quality, engaging videos with longer runtimes can generate more total watch time.
- Target High-Watch-Time Niches: Some niches like education, tech reviews, and how-to videos typically attract longer engagement times.
4. Complementary Revenue Streams
While YouTube Premium is an additional source of revenue, it’s important to combine it with other monetization methods. Premium watch time may not yield as much revenue as ad views or affiliate marketing, especially for channels with less watch time from Premium members. The overall financial support from Premium typically accounts for 10% to 20% of a creator’s total YouTube earnings, but this can vary widely depending on channel size and engagement.
Total Expected Financial Support
- Small Channels: For smaller creators with under 100,000 subscribers, YouTube Premium revenue may range from $100 to $1,000 per month, depending on watch time.
- Mid-Sized Channels: Channels with around 100,000 to 500,000 subscribers could earn anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per month from YouTube Premium, assuming high engagement and watch times.
- Large Channels: Channels with over 1 million subscribers or those that generate millions of watch time minutes can expect to earn $5,000 to $10,000+ per month from YouTube Premium.
Overall, YouTube Premium provides a steady stream of supplemental income, but maximizing its financial support requires focusing on creating content that engages viewers for longer periods and attracts Premium subscribers.