How Some YouTubers Make More On RMP Than Others

You’ve probably heard creators mention their RPM, the number that shows how much they earn per 1,000 views. But why does one creator make $2 RPM while another in the same niche makes $10 or more? It’s not luck, it’s strategy.

We’ll explain why some YouTubers earn more, what settings to check in YouTube Studio, and small tweaks that can boost your earnings. Let’s dive in!

What Is RPM (and How It Differs from CPM)

Before we go too deep, let’s get one thing straight:

•  CPM is what advertisers pay YouTube per thousand ad views
•  RPM is what you actually earn per thousand video views, after YouTube’s cut

RPM also includes money from Ad revenue (pre-roll, mid-roll), YouTube Premium views, Channel memberships, Super Chats, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks.

So when you look at your RPM, it’s a full picture of how much your channel earns per view across all monetization types.

Why RPM Varies So Much Between Creators

Two creators can have the same number of views and completely different paychecks. Why? Because RPM depends on several key factors:

• The type of ads running on your videos
• The niche or topic you’re covering
• Viewer location (advertisers pay more for certain countries)
• How long your videos are
• And how you set up your monetization

Let’s break this down even further…

Longer Videos Still Win

If your videos are over 8 minutes, you can add mid-roll ads, not just pre-rolls. That means instead of one ad at the start, you can have several throughout. For example:

• A 6-minute video = 1 ad before the video
• A 10+ minute video = 1 ad before + multiple mid-rolls + 1 ad at the end

That’s a huge difference in total monetized views.

Tip: Don’t drop ads randomly every 2 minutes. Instead, place them naturally at topic changes or small cliffhangers. 

Check These Monetization Settings in YouTube Studio

It’s key to make sure all ad types are actually turned on. Head to: YouTube Studio → Monetization → Ad Settings

Here’s what you should enable (if eligible):

• Display ads – desktop only, but still counts
• Overlay ads – small banner ads on desktop
• Skippable video ads – most common, high-paying
• Non-skippable video ads – pay the most, but be careful with overuse
• Bumper ads – super short, but great for extra income

Tip: If your videos are 8+ minutes long, turn on mid-rolls. You can let YouTube auto-place them, or manually add them after natural transitions. Manual placement tends to perform better.

Double-Check “Ad Suitability” and Avoid the Yellow Dollar Sign

YouTube’s ad policies are constantly evolving, and 2025 brought a few changes worth noting: 

• Profanity rules have relaxed. You can now say some strong language (i.e. swearing) in the intro of your video without being instantly demonetized.
  
  
• Ad Suitability reviews are stricter. If your video is flagged for “limited ads,” your RPM will drop, even if views are strong.
  
  
• If you mass-produce repetitive or AI-generated videos without enough originality, you risk limited monetization or removal from the Partner Program.

Always review your “Ad Suitability” status under the Monetization tab to make sure every video is fully monetized.

Upload Optimization Still Matters (and Affects Your Earnings)

Yes, your title, thumbnail, and description still matter! It’s key for retention and watch time, which indirectly influence RPM. Here’s the Upload Settings Checklist you should follow:

Video File Basics:

• Upload in 1080p minimum, or 4K if possible
• Name your file something SEO-friendly before upload 
  
  • i.e. how-to-increase-youtube-rpm-2025.mp4 instead of VID_8374.mp4

Title:

• Start with your main keyword
• Make it clickable and results-driven
  
  • i.e. “How I Doubled My YouTube Income in 30 Days (Full Breakdown)”

Thumbnail:

• Use bold, simple visuals that pop on mobile
• Include faces and emotion when possible (thumbnails with expressive faces usually get higher click-through rates)

Description:

• Put your main keyword + CTA in the first two lines
• Add timestamps for longer videos
• Include affiliate or product links for extra revenue outside AdSense

Tags:

• Use 8–15 tags focused on keyword variations like “YouTube RPM,” “monetization 2025,” “increase ad revenue,” etc.
• Avoid keyword stuffing… it’s outdated and doesn’t help

Playlist & End Screens:

• Always add your video to a relevant playlist to boost session watch time
• Link your end screen to a related high-performing video or playlist to keep viewers on your channel

Monetization Check:

• Ensure all ad types are enabled
• Add mid-rolls where it makes sense
• Avoid sensitive titles or topics that could trigger limited ads

Niche and Audience Still Dictate RPM

Even with perfect settings, your topic and audience location heavily impact your RPM. Here’s what advertisers are paying top rates for in 2025:

1. Finance & Investing
2. Business & Entrepreneurship
3. Tech & Software Tutorials
4. Health & Wellness
5. Education/Online Courses
   
   

Creators in these niches often see CPMs 3–5x higher than entertainment or lifestyle channels. Also, advertisers pay more for audiences in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, so your viewer demographics matter just as much as your content itself.

Keep an Eye on Retention and Engagement

RPM doesn’t just depend on ads, it depends on how much of your video people actually watch. If viewers stay engaged longer, YouTube can serve more ads, and advertisers are willing to pay more for that audience.

Here’s what helps boost retention:

• Hook viewers in the first 15 seconds
• Add chapter breaks to help them navigate
• Use storytelling instead of just talking points
• Mix pacing: include B-roll, screen captures, or motion graphics

Better engagement = better RPM.

Diversify Your Revenue Streams

Remember, your RPM includes all YouTube income sources, not just ad revenue. So if you activate more features, your RPM naturally goes up.

Here’s what you can add:

• Channel Memberships: recurring income from your loyal fans.
• Super Chats & Super Stickers: live stream engagement boosts.
• Super Thanks: one-time fan donations on regular videos.
• YouTube Shopping: link and sell products directly under your videos.

Each of these adds to your RPM, giving you a higher average payout per 1,000 views, and more predictable income month-to-month.

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At the end of the day, higher RPM isn’t just about ad types, upload optimization, or diversifying revenue. It’s about building a sustainable creator business. Top creators with high RPM didn’t just adjust settings — they invested in better production, strategy, and people. With Breeze, you can do the same.

If you’ve done everything you can to increase your RPM and are ready to take your channel to the next level, reach out to us at Breeze. We’ll help you grow your channel, your team, and your income while keeping full creative control!

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