This story starts with a deep dive by Epidemic Sound. They ran a massive study in 2024, asking thousands of creators how they actually make money. We’ve looked at the data. Then we compared it to what’s happening across 3,000 YouTube channels we manage at AIR Media-Tech.
Spoiler: The trends from Epidemic Sound’s report are still holding strong in 2025.
But let’s break it down even further.
AdSense: Still the biggest slice of the pie
Ads on YouTube are the default. If you're in the YouTube Partner Program, you get paid. Simple, right? But it’s not just about how many views you get. It’s about who’s watching, where they’re watching from, and what kind of ads they’re seeing.
Your CPM and niche play a huge role in your AdSense earnings. Your main audience is folks from low CPM countries, and most of your vids are lifestyle vlogs? Too bad. Your revenue might be… a bit disappointing.
But still, in Epidemic Sound’s 2024 report, 28.6% of monetizing creators said ads were their top money-maker. That’s a huge chunk. And in 2025? Still going strong. That's not just CPM magic. It’s platform consistency, long-term discoverability, and the fact that YouTube pays way better than TikTok or Facebook.
The report shows YouTube creators earn 4x more from ads compared to TikTok, and 6x more than from Facebook. 57% of creators said that despite having fewer followers than on other platforms, they earn more on YouTube. It’s all about the quality of the audience and the ad ecosystem that actually rewards creators for keeping people engaged.
How YouTubers are Getting Paid?
So yeah, ads are the foundation. But there's still a problem for creators. YouTube’s payouts are not flexible. Like, at all.
You gotta wait weeks (sometimes more) to go buy a cup of coffee with those AdSense coins. And if you’re trying to reinvest in your channel or pay your editor now, waiting sucks.
As a solution, try the free MilX app and unlock up to 6 months of your earnings today. Turn your YouTube views into upfront cash and skip the wait. With MilX Active Funds, the money’s already yours.
By the way, how do you withdraw from AdSense? The fastest-growing method we see? Crypto. You can move funds directly from YouTube into your wallet — no banks, no waiting. MilX handles that too.
Want to build a steady monetization strategy?
Reach out to us at AIR Media-Tech. Our team has already optimized revenue streams for hundreds of creators. And we can help you too!
Sponsorships: High effort, high reward
This is where things get interesting. Sponsorships on YouTube are the single most lucrative deal per brand, per video. But they’re also the most inconsistent. You might earn $2,000 one month, and $0 the next.
Still, more creators are leaning in. In our network, we’ve seen an uptick in sponsored integrations — especially for channels in tech, beauty, and finance. Brands want reach, and they want trust. YouTube still delivers both.
But here’s what we tell creators all the time: don’t just wait for brands to slide into your inbox. Build a media kit. Post your stats. Say clearly: "I do sponsorships. Here’s what I offer." Your job is to make it easy for brands to say yes. A free tool like pin.top helps a bunch. It lets you build a polished, store-in-bio-style profile that shows off your value. Just create your profile and drop the link in your bio or DMs.
Also, don’t sleep on YouTube affiliate marketing. That’s sponsorship’s chill cousin. Less upfront money, but more passive income potential if your links convert. And it works well when your audience trusts your opinion.
Donations: Smaller, but loyal
YouTube fan donations — through Patreon, YouTube Memberships, Buy Me a Coffee — aren’t huge for most creators. But they’re steady and those who do use it tend to love it.
Donations = community. People are paying you because they want to. Not because they get a discount or a shoutout. Just because they admire what you do.
We’ve seen creators with under 30K subs pulling $1K/month from memberships. But it takes time. You need loyalty. And consistency.
If you're choosing between Patreon and YouTube Memberships? Ask yourself, “Do I want the platform to handle everything for me (YouTube)? Or do I want more freedom and tools (Patreon)?” Both work. It just depends on your vibe.
So what’s the best YouTube monetization method in 2025?
There isn’t one.
Seriously. The strongest creators in our network stack revenue streams. Ads. Sponsorships. Donations. Affiliate links. Pack them all.
If you’re relying on one income stream, you're just hoping YouTube doesn’t change the rules tomorrow. That’s risky. One algorithm shift and boom — half your income’s gone.
Plus, Epidemic Sound’s report confirms that creators are getting smarter about money. 84% use AI tools to boost content output. 81.5% are actively working on their personal brand. You’re not just making videos. You’re running a business. Treat it like one.
And how can MilX help here?
And… creators who treat YouTube like a business need business tools. That’s what MilX is.
Get paid in USD, EUR, BTC, USDT, or any of 40+ methods. MilX gives you full control, no middlemen, no delays.
Need to pay a thumbnail designer today, but AdSense money won’t land for 3 more weeks? Easy. Want to transfer money to an editor overseas with zero fees? Sure, use MilX P2P.
MilX is built for YouTubers. The lowest fees on the market. No delays. Just money, when you need it.
What we’re seeing across our network
Here's what we've learned from managing 3,000+ YouTube creators:
- Ads are still on top (reliable and consistent).
- Sponsorships are growing fast, but not stable enough on their own.
- Donations work best for niche, loyal communities.
So, which revenue stream makes the most money in 2025? And what’s the best monetization strategy?
The answer is the one you take control of. Let YouTube ads do their thing. Lock in that sponsorship deal. Build up that membership base.
But don’t just sit on earnings. Use them. Scale up. Stay ahead.
Need any help in building reliable revenue streams? Hit us up. Our experts will help you feel secure in your financial future as a creator.
