What type of YouTube content makes the most money?
When you’re launching your YouTube channel, picking your niche is one of the most crucial decisions you have to make.
Your YouTube niche will determine everything from your target audience to the kind of brand collaborations you can aim for. And it’s also very important for how much you can earn on YouTube.
While it’s theoretically possible to generate an income in any kind of YouTube niche – from history to sewing – it’s much harder in some than in others.
So how do you find a profitable YouTube niche?
Measuring which niches are the most profitable is difficult. That’s because how much YouTubers make depends on several things:
- niche
- monetization strategy
- audience engagement
- content quality
- video length
- geographical location.
That’s also why it varies how much YouTube pays you for a million views.
As a benchmark, though, it’s possible to use CPM – Cost per Mille. This is a metric for how much advertisers pay YouTube for 1,000 ad views through the Google AdSense program.
It’s important to distinguish this from RPM, or Revenue per Mille. RPM is how much a YouTuber actually gets for 1,000 video views. Videos can have several or no ads, and YouTube takes its cut as well, so this number can differ a lot from CPM.
CPM shows how interested advertisers are in investing in content in a certain niche to access these YouTube creators’ audiences. The stronger this interest, the easier it is generally to monetize your channel.Â
This doesn’t just go for ad revenue alone, but also for affiliate programs, brand collabs, and fan funding. And for many creators, these revenue streams are much more important than ads.
That said, here are the 15 most profitable YouTube niches by CPM.
Contents
Making Money Online
To start with, the single most profitable YouTube niche is strategies for making money online. Countless people hit YouTube to learn how to generate additional income streams online. And quite a few YouTube creators are ready to share their expertise.
On average, creators in this niche see the highest CPM at of $13.52.
Some sub-niches are even more profitable. Content centered around making money through affiliate marketing can reach CPM heights of up to $22.
Ali Abdaal’s video on instant side hustles hit 1M views in less than 4 months.
Digital Marketing
Next up, digital marketing has the second-highest income potential on YouTube. Social media marketing channels, for instance, see average CPM rates of $12.52.Â
It’s unsurprising, really: For one, digital marketers know exactly how to showcase and sell what they do – through YouTube SEO, for instance. For another, they address an audience of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For advertisers and sponsors, this is a very valuable target demographic. As a creator in this space, it’s especially easy to diversify your traffic channels as well. We see a ton of marketing influencers expand into their own websites, blogs, academy lessons, and more
Latasha James gives her viewers a run-down on developing a social media strategy.
Personal Finance and Investments
In third place is another money-related niche: personal finance and investments. Unlike the previous two, personal finance channels focus less on earning money by hustling and improving your marketing. Instead, they show you how to manage – and invest – the money you already have.Â
Channels in this niche give advice on anything from stock market terminology to making money through crypto. With up to $12, these creators are seeing one of the highest YouTube CPM rates.
Brian Jung’s crash-course intro to crypto has over 4.5 million views.Â
Educational Content
Ranking fourth is a fairly broad category – educational content. Some of the most-subscribed YouTube channels out there focus on education content for kids.
But adult topics are also in high demand, ranging from history and science channels to how to use Microsoft Office. Tutorials and courses are some of the most popular YouTube videos on the entire platform. On average, YouTubers in this niche see CPM rates of $9.89.Â
Despite how YouTube restricts advertising on kids’ content, educational content is a very profitable niche.
Cocomelon’s nursery rhymes is one of the most-subscribed channels on YouTube. This video has over 5 billion views.
Tech, Cars, and Gadgets
Another high-earning niche is technology, especially cars and gadgets.
Whether it’s a review of the latest iPhone, a comparison between Nikon and Fuji cameras, or a test drive in a new Ferrari, advertisers love tech content.
Within the niche, though, there’s a range of CPM rates. Photography YouTubers, for instance, can see high CPM rates of around $7.31, while the average CPM for car channels is about $4.32. For general tech channels, advertisers shell out $2.39 per 1,000 ad views.
There’s one thing you need to take into account if you’re thinking of joining this niche, though. And that’s the associated costs. Even if your earnings are higher, you often need to invest in the tech you review or compare before you can start earning an income.
Car content is very profitable on YouTube. But it also requires a considerable budget to make.
Lifestyle
One of the most popular types of YouTube content is the lifestyle niche. Viewers love to follow other people’s travels and careers, glimpse into their homes, and stay tuned on their relationships.
On average, lifestyle YouTubers can expect CPM rates of $3.47. Note, though, that there’s a lot of variance here, and a lot of competition. After all, there is a huge range to lifestyle creators, from those vlogging from a mansion to college students sharing their campus experience.
What makes this niche so special is just how personal the experiences people share can be. This creates relatability and a sense of connection, even of a community.Â
Viewers might not actually aspire to a similar lifestyle, but many look for inspiration in the lives of others. And wherever products and services appear, there is potential for advertisers – and for monetization.
Advertisers know this.
On average, lifestyle YouTubers can expect CPM rates of $3.47.
Mikaela Long gives her audience a tour of her home.
Fashion and Try On Hauls
One of the most popular types of YouTube content is the lifestyle niche. Viewers love to follow other people’s travels and careers, glimpse into their homes, and stay tuned on their relationships.
On average, lifestyle YouTubers can expect CPM rates of $3.47. Note, though, that there’s a lot of variance here, and a lot of competition. After all, there is a huge range to lifestyle creators, from those vlogging from a mansion to college students sharing their campus experience.
What makes this niche so special is just how personal the experiences people share can be. This creates relatability and a sense of connection, even of a community.Â
Viewers might not actually aspire to a similar lifestyle, but many look for inspiration in the lives of others. And wherever products and services appear, there is potential for advertisers – and for monetization.
Nearly 12 million people have tuned in to Kat Wonders’ bikini try on haul.
Beauty & Makeup
Sister niche to fashion, beauty channels – and makeup YouTubers in particular – are some of the most popular on YouTube. While the competition is enormous, well-produced channels enjoy a lot of advertiser attention.Â
As a grand average, beauty YouTubers see CPMs of slightly over $3. Much of this is because the content naturally deals with products. Skincare lines, cosmetics, hair products – all these and many more are constantly shown in reviews and hairstyle how-tos and makeup tutorials.
We’re also counting the weight loss topic here, notably because it can be very lucrative: CPM rates can go up to $10.
Deni’s videos show how even the most niche products can find an eager audience.
Cooking
Especially during the pandemic, cooking channels saw an incredible boost. More and more people are turning to YouTube for recipe inspiration, to boost their kitchen skills, or to marvel at others’ amazing creations.Â
Cooking channels are fairly profitable in terms of CPM rates, with average values at $2.50.
Emmymade’s cooking channel has over 2.8 million subscribers.Â
Fitness and Bodybuilding
Like cooking channels, fitness and bodybuilding content has seen a significant rise in popularity. From workout routines and beginners’ yoga to very specific topics – weighted jump ropes for muscle growth, for example – YouTube audiences flock to channels that help them reach their body goals.
Advertisers acknowledge that with average CPM rates of $1.60.
Some fitness topics attract above-average CPMs. Some need particular equipment – whether it’s just running shoes or full-on climbing gear. Others are associated with particular diets. Bodybuilding, for instance, covers both.
Goal Guys features a series of fitness challenges, from going vegan for 30 days to getting a sixpack in six weeks.Â
Video Games
Next up, there’s video games – one of the biggest niches on YouTube. Whether it’s reviews, advanced walkthroughs, streaming or simply gameplay videos with engaging commentary, gaming content can earn passionate YouTubers several million views.
Many gaming expos now dedicate space to video content creators, which has made them into some of the biggest YouTuber events as well.
In fact, several of the most-subscribed channels and highest-earning YouTubers, such as PewDiePie, fall into the gaming niche. On average, creators in the gameplay niche see CPM rates of around $1.40.
Considering just how popular many gamers are, why is the average CPM not higher? For one, the competition is enormous. For another, the audience skews young, which means a lower disposable income.
Some of the most active communities are those of Minecraft YouTubers (MCYT for short) and Roblox players, as well as players of indie horror games like FNAF.
Gaming content attracts both kid and adult audiences – and creators!
Comedy: Humor, Challenges, and Pranks
Comedy, humor, and prank channels take center stage on YouTube. These channels thrive on pure entertainment:  Viewers eat up hilarious skits, challenges, pranks, incredible giveaways, and other comedy content.Â
The need to have a laugh is pretty universal, and so these creators attract a wide range of viewers, from teenagers to adults. This diversity – especially in income – lowers the CPM potential somewhat, but it still hovers at around $1 on average.
The built-in advantage is that it’s all about positive emotion. And that’s kind of context that brands and advertisers love to see their ads and products in.
Here’s one of MrBeast’s older vids – imagine the boost this gave to Orbeez.
ASMR and Oddly Satisfying
There are a few unique, extremely popular niches that have very little to do with lifestyle and the world of products. These channels are all about a kind of sensory stimulation that produces positive feelings.
ASMR content in particular centers on certain gentle sounds or visuals. Many people experience these as calming and pleasurable, or even feel a pleasant tingling (the “autonomous sensory meridian response” or ASMR proper).Â
As with comedy channels, this is a great environment to present certain kinds of ads and products in. Advertisers reward this with a fairly high CPM for such a niche topic, averaging around $3.50.
ASMR content isn’t for everyone, but it can have a deeply relaxing effect.
Motivation & Spirituality
While there is a big range of worldviews in this niche, what they all share is a focus on self-cultivation. These channels cater to individuals seeking personal growth, inner peace, and the motivation to overcome challenges.
Advertisers and sponsors recognize the value of reaching viewers that are invested in their personal well-being and self-improvement. Consequently, the average CPM for these channels generally falls within the range of $2.50 to $4.00.
Whatever your personal philosophy or beliefs, YouTubers help people find meaning and the power to grow.
Travel
Travel is another niche where creators focus on sharing experiences and insights, taking viewers on adventures around the world.
After a pandemic that affected both travel-hungry audiences, the businesses that cater to them, and the creators themselves, the niche is again in full swing.Â
For travel YouTubers, this has not only meant more collaboration offers from brands and local tourism boards, but also CPM rates climbing back to over $2.
Making money through traveling? It’s not just possible, but sometimes quite lucrative.
Final Thoughts: The Most Profitable YouTube Niches
Not all niches are created equal. If your primary goal on YouTube is to generate an income, you need to take that into account when you start your channel.
However, you also need to factor in how much you need to invest in creating content in each niche, and how fierce the competition is.
At the end of the day, you need to weigh all these factors carefully against your own passions and interests. Only then can you choose the niche that’s perfect for you.
Think about your hobbies, your professional experiences, and your passions. What skills do you have that you could share with your audience? Check out popular niches on YouTube and how profitable they are. Then, weigh each option against your budget and your own interests.
The most profitable niches on YouTube are currently related to generating additional income streams, digital marketing, and personal finance. Each of them has an average Cost Per Mille (CPM) of over $10.
Some of the highest-paying YouTube niches are how to make money online (CPM = $13.52), digital marketing (CPM = $12.52), and personal finance and investments (CPM = $12).
Check out different niches’ CPM rates. CPM stands for cost per mille and tells you how much YouTube pays you for 1,000 ad views on average. Careful, though. In some niches, such as tech, you have to invest a lot of money into making your content before you start earning.
Currently, videos related to making money online have the highest income potential. On average, content about online side hustles and virtual income streams earn creators about $13.52 per 1,000 views. Videos about affiliate marketing in particular are lucrative. They earn creators $22 per 1,000 views.
Content about making money online has the highest CPM rates on YouTube, with average values of $13.52. Especially creators in the affiliate marketing niche cash in big, with CPMs of $22.
Currently, videos related to making money online have the highest income potential. On average, content about online side hustles and virtual income streams earn creators about $13.52 per 1,000 views. Videos about affiliate marketing in particular are lucrative. They earn creators $22 per 1,000 views.
