YouTube typically pays between $1,000 and $10,000 for 1 million long-form views, with most general channels earning around $2,000 to $5,000. High-RPM niches like finance, investing and software can exceed $10,000 to $20,000 per million views.
For Shorts, 1 million views usually earns around $20 to $100, sometimes more depending on the audience and music use. The difference is due to Shorts' pooled revenue model and lower ad rates. Long videos with mid-rolls, US or UK audiences and Q4 timing push earnings to the higher end. Sponsorships and affiliate income on million-view videos often exceed ad revenue.
Step-by-step plan
Estimate earnings using your RPM × 1,000.
Use mid-roll ads on longer videos.
Focus on niches with high advertiser demand.
Add sponsorships to high-view videos.
Include affiliate offers relevant to the topic.
Why this works
YouTube pays from ad revenue, so earnings depend on RPM: what you keep per 1,000 views after YouTube's share. Long-form creators keep 55% of ad revenue and commonly see RPMs between about $1 and $10, with finance, software and business niches above that. Shorts share a pooled revenue model at 45% and usually earn a few cents per 1,000 views. Audience country, season, video length and how many views are monetized all move the number.
Common mistake to avoid
Assuming a million Shorts views pays like a million long-form views. Shorts earn a fraction per view.
Pro tip
When a video approaches a million views, update its description and pinned comment with your best offer and a link to the next video. Late-stage traffic keeps arriving, so optimising it pays for months.
Check it before you post
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