What Pays Better: YouTube or Spotify? A Deep Dive Into Earnings
When it comes to making money from online platforms, YouTube and Spotify are the giants of the industry. Both have millions of users, but if you’re a content creator or musician, you’ve probably wondered: Which one pays better? Honestly, it's not an easy question to answer because there are many factors at play, but let’s break it down.
Understanding the Basics: YouTube vs. Spotify Revenue Models
Before we get into the details of earnings, it’s important to understand how both platforms pay their creators.
YouTube: Ad Revenue and More
On YouTube, creators make money primarily through ad revenue, which comes from the ads that play before, during, or after their videos. The more views your video gets, the more ad revenue you generate. But here’s the thing: YouTube also offers channel memberships, super chats, and merchandise sales through integration with platforms like Teespring. The most common metric used here is CPM (Cost Per Mille), which refers to how much you earn per 1,000 views.
For example, a YouTube creator with high views (think 1M+) can easily make thousands of dollars just from ads. But honestly, it can vary greatly depending on your niche. Some niches pay a lot more (finance, tech), while others, like entertainment or vlogging, tend to earn less.
Spotify: Stream-Based Revenue
Spotify, on the other hand, has a more straightforward model. Creators are paid based on the number of streams their music gets. However, the payment per stream is notoriously low. According to reports, Spotify pays around $0.003 to $0.005 per stream. So, to earn $1,000, an artist would need between 200,000 and 300,000 streams. Yikes, right?
But it’s not all bad. Spotify also offers playlist placements, which can boost exposure and ultimately lead to more streams. Still, the earnings are heavily dependent on the artist's following.
How Much Do You Need to Make to Be Successful?
You’re probably thinking: "Okay, that’s interesting, but how much do I actually need to work to make real money?"
YouTube: Big Numbers, Big Pay
Well, YouTube is where the big bucks are, if you can manage to create viral content or build a loyal following. Think about creators like PewDiePie or MrBeast—they're not just making money from ads; they’re bringing in millions through sponsorships, merch sales, and fan donations.
Example:
A creator gets 5 million views on a video.
With an average CPM of $2-$4, the creator could earn $10,000-$20,000 from that single video.
But let's be realistic: not every video will go viral, and not every YouTuber has the luck or content to get millions of views. You need to consistently produce high-quality videos to sustain your income.
Spotify: A Struggle for Small Artists
Spotify is tougher for smaller artists. Even with a loyal fan base, you’ll need to generate millions of streams to earn significant revenue. Plus, most of the payment goes to the record label, leaving the artist with a smaller share. However, artists with millions of streams—like Drake or Billie Eilish—can make substantial income from their music.
But if you’re just starting, you might be struggling to break even. I’ve seen indie musicians on Spotify hustle for years before getting significant revenue. Honestly, it’s a long-term game.
Which One is Better for You?
Now, if you're trying to figure out whether YouTube or Spotify pays better for your specific case, here's the thing: it really depends on your goals and audience.
YouTube: If You’re a Content Creator
If you're a content creator who focuses on videos, YouTube is your go-to. It’s a great platform to monetize your creativity through multiple revenue streams: ads, memberships, and even sponsored deals. However, you’ll need to work hard on engagement and consistent uploads to really see the big bucks.
Spotify: If You’re a Musician
On the other hand, if you're a musician or someone focused on streaming music, Spotify offers a straightforward platform to get your music out there. The catch is, unless you have a substantial following, the payouts per stream won’t be enough to quit your day job.
Final Thoughts: Which Pays Better?
So, does YouTube pay better than Spotify? In general, YouTube offers higher earning potential for most creators, especially if you combine ad revenue with other income streams like merch sales or sponsorships.
However, Spotify can be incredibly lucrative if you're a successful musician with millions of streams. But realistically, YouTube is probably the better option for most creators, whether you're into making videos or sharing your music.
What I would recommend is to not rely on one platform alone. The more you diversify—whether with YouTube, Spotify, or other platforms like TikTok or Patreon—the better your chances of building a sustainable career. Just remember, building any platform takes time, effort, and consistency.
Hope this helps clear things up! Let me know your thoughts, and maybe we can dive into how to build an audience on both platforms next!
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.