How Much Do I Get Per Stream on YouTube (2026 Edition)
The YouTube pay per stream rates for 2026 as of February 1st.
Tools 4 Music Staff
Tools 4 Music Team
YouTube is the world's largest music discovery platform, with billions of users watching music videos and listening to tracks every day. But how much do artists actually earn per stream on YouTube? At Tools 4 Music, we've analyzed our streaming data to give you the real numbers for YouTube's ad-supported music streams.
In this article, you'll learn:
- The average pay-per-stream on YouTube (Ads)
- Which countries pay the most per stream
- How YouTube compares to Spotify and Apple Music
- How to calculate your potential earnings
Our Data
The figures in this analysis are based on real earnings data from 2025 for YouTube's ad-supported streams. The global average pay-per-stream on YouTube (Ads) is $0.00200 (approximately $2,000 per million streams). This is slightly below Spotify's average rate.
Top Paying Countries on YouTube
YouTube's pay-per-stream varies significantly by country, largely based on advertising rates in each market. Here are the highest-paying countries:
- South Korea - $0.01051 ($10,506 per million streams)
- Australia - $0.00483 ($4,827 per million streams)
- United States - $0.00411 ($4,107 per million streams)
- Japan - $0.00389 ($3,892 per million streams)
- Spain - $0.00353 ($3,527 per million streams)
- Poland - $0.00340 ($3,402 per million streams)
- Germany - $0.00323 ($3,232 per million streams)
- Canada - $0.00313 ($3,133 per million streams)
Why YouTube Rates Vary So Much
YouTube's payment model is fundamentally different from subscription-based services like Spotify or Apple Music. Key factors affecting YouTube payouts include:
- Advertising rates - Countries with higher CPM (cost per thousand impressions) pay more per stream
- Ad engagement - Whether viewers watch, skip, or interact with ads affects revenue
- Content type - Music videos vs. audio-only content may have different ad loads
- Seasonality - Ad rates fluctuate throughout the year (higher during holidays)
YouTube vs. Other Platforms
How does YouTube compare to other major streaming platforms?
- Apple Music: $0.00735 per stream
- Spotify: $0.00222 per stream
- YouTube (Ads): $0.00200 per stream
While YouTube pays less per stream than Spotify on average, its massive user base means it can still be a significant revenue source. YouTube also offers YouTube Music Premium, which pays higher rates similar to other subscription services.
The YouTube Advantage: Discovery
Despite lower per-stream rates, YouTube offers unique advantages:
- Massive reach - Over 2 billion logged-in users monthly
- Discovery potential - Algorithm-driven recommendations can expose your music to new audiences
- Visual content - Music videos create deeper fan connections
- Multiple revenue streams - Ad revenue, YouTube Music, and Content ID claims
Calculate Your YouTube Earnings
Want to know exactly how much you could earn from your YouTube streams? Use our YouTube Royalty Calculator to get accurate estimates based on your view counts and audience locations.
For multi-platform calculations, try our Streaming Royalty Calculator which covers 41 different platforms including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Understanding YouTube's Multiple Revenue Streams
YouTube is unique among music platforms because it offers several distinct ways for artists to earn money. Your total YouTube earnings can come from multiple sources:
- YouTube Ads (Content ID): When your music is used in any video on YouTube (including user-generated content), Content ID identifies your track and allows you to claim ad revenue from those videos. This is the primary revenue source for most artists on YouTube.
- YouTube Music Premium: Streams on the YouTube Music app from premium subscribers pay higher rates, similar to Spotify or Apple Music. Our data shows YouTube Music Premium pays approximately $0.00431 per stream—nearly double the ad-supported rate.
- YouTube Red (Premium video): When YouTube Premium subscribers watch your music videos, you earn from their subscription pool at approximately $0.00655 per stream—significantly higher than ad-supported rates.
- YouTube Shorts: Short-form videos using your music on YouTube Shorts generate revenue from the Shorts ad revenue pool, though rates are typically lower than standard video ads.
The combination of these revenue streams means your total YouTube earnings can be substantial even if ad-supported rates appear lower than dedicated music streaming services.
How CPM Affects Your YouTube Earnings
CPM (Cost Per Mille, or cost per thousand ad impressions) is the key metric that drives YouTube ad revenue. Advertisers pay different CPM rates depending on the viewer's country, the time of year, and the content category. Music content generally has moderate CPMs, but the variation by country is enormous.
Countries like South Korea, the United States, Australia, and Japan have high advertising CPMs because advertisers compete aggressively for audiences in these markets. During Q4 (October-December), CPMs spike across all markets due to holiday advertising spending, which means your YouTube earnings can increase by 30-50% during the holiday season compared to Q1.
This seasonality is unique to YouTube—subscription-based platforms like Spotify and Apple Music show much less variation in per-stream rates throughout the year.
YouTube Shorts and Music Monetization
YouTube Shorts has become a major competitor to TikTok, with billions of daily views. For music artists, Shorts presents both an opportunity and a challenge. When users create Shorts using your licensed music, you earn a share of the Shorts ad revenue pool. However, the per-use rate for Shorts is significantly lower than standard video ads because short-form content generates less ad inventory per view.
Despite the lower per-use rates, YouTube Shorts can serve as a powerful discovery tool. Viral Shorts can drive viewers to your full music videos and YouTube Music streams, where you earn at higher rates. Consider creating official Shorts clips from your music videos to bridge the gap between short-form discovery and full-length content.
Tips to Maximize Your YouTube Music Earnings
- Register with Content ID: Ensure your distributor enrolls your catalog in YouTube's Content ID system to claim revenue from user-generated content featuring your music.
- Optimize video metadata: Use keyword-rich titles, descriptions, and tags on your music videos. YouTube's search and recommendation algorithm heavily relies on metadata.
- Post during high-CPM seasons: Release music videos in Q4 (October-December) when ad rates are at their highest, and promote older content during holiday periods.
- Create Shorts strategically: Post short clips that hook viewers and include a call-to-action to watch the full video or stream on YouTube Music.
- Target high-CPM countries: Run ads or promote content in countries like South Korea, the US, and Australia where your YouTube earnings per view are highest.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube pays less than Spotify on average - But high-CPM countries like South Korea and the US pay well
- Ad rates drive everything - Your earnings depend heavily on where your viewers are located
- Volume matters - YouTube's massive reach can compensate for lower per-stream rates
- Consider the full picture - Discovery value and fan engagement may be worth more than direct revenue
Understanding YouTube's payment structure can help you optimize your content strategy and maximize your earnings from the world's largest video platform.
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