How do YouTube and TikTok earnings compare?

This article has been written by our TikTok expert who will tell you what are the most efficient strategies in your niche

What's the average CPM and RPM for creators on YouTube versus TikTok across different niches?

YouTube's CPM rates significantly outperform TikTok across most niches, with finance and business content leading at $15-$40 compared to TikTok's $0.05-$0.08 in the same categories.

Niche	YouTube CPM/RPM	TikTok CPM/RPM
Finance/Investing	$15-$40 CPM, $15-$40 RPM - highest earner	$0.05-$0.08 CPM/RPM - surprisingly low for high-value niche
Business/B2B	$15-$30 CPM, $10-$50+ RPM - excellent for B2B content	Similar to finance, very low monetization potential
Tech Reviews	$10-$20 CPM, $5-$15 RPM - solid middle-tier performance	$1-$2+ CPM/RPM - better than most TikTok niches
Beauty & Makeup	$5-$15 CPM, $3-$10 RPM - competitive but saturated	Up to $11.72 CPM/RPM - TikTok's highest performing niche
Gaming	$4.55 CPM, $1-$4 RPM - lower but huge audience	$0.40-$1.20 CPM/RPM - challenging monetization
Education	$9 CPM, $7-$12 RPM - undervalued but stable	$0.50-$1.00 CPM/RPM - low but growing potential
Lifestyle/Vlogging	$3-$5 CPM, $1-$5 RPM - oversaturated market	$0.70-$1.20 CPM/RPM - slightly better than gaming

If you're struggling to identify what content works in your niche, we can help you figure it out.

How does average engagement rate compare between YouTube and TikTok based on follower count tiers?

TikTok consistently delivers higher engagement rates across all follower tiers, with nano-influencers seeing astronomical 142.69% engagement compared to YouTube's 5.43%.

The engagement disparity becomes less dramatic as follower counts increase, but TikTok maintains its advantage even at the mega-influencer level. YouTube's engagement rates decline more predictably as audience size grows, dropping from 5.43% for accounts under 10k to 2.82-3.4% for accounts over 1 million followers.

TikTok's algorithm favors smaller creators disproportionately, with engagement rates dropping from 142.69% for nano-influencers to 8.38% for those with 10k-50k followers. However, even mega-influencers on TikTok can maintain engagement rates between 2.88-10.53%, showing the platform's ability to sustain high interaction levels.

This engagement advantage on TikTok translates to better organic reach and discovery opportunities, particularly for creators just starting their journey. YouTube's lower but more stable engagement rates reflect its focus on long-form content consumption and subscriber loyalty.

What's the typical number of views, likes, comments, and shares per video on YouTube and TikTok in top-performing niches?

Performance metrics vary dramatically between platforms, with TikTok enabling rapid viral potential while YouTube focuses on sustained, long-term viewership.

Beauty and lifestyle content on YouTube typically generates hundreds of thousands to millions of views per video for established creators, with like rates hovering around 2-5% of total views and comment sections generating thousands of interactions. Gaming channels often achieve similar view counts with slightly lower engagement percentages due to the entertainment-focused audience behavior.

Finance content on YouTube sees fewer overall views compared to entertainment niches but compensates with higher-value engagement from audiences with stronger purchase intent. These videos often maintain steady view counts over extended periods, contributing to long-term revenue generation.

TikTok's viral nature means videos can explode from zero to millions of views within hours, particularly in beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment niches. The platform's average like rate sits around 5% of viewers, with significantly higher share and comment rates compared to YouTube, especially for accounts under 100k followers.

Not sure why your posts aren't converting? Let us take a look for you.

What are the main revenue streams on YouTube versus TikTok?

YouTube offers a more mature and diversified monetization ecosystem with multiple stable revenue streams, while TikTok relies heavily on brand partnerships and emerging commerce features.

YouTube Revenue Streams	TikTok Revenue Streams
AdSense Revenue - Primary income source with predictable monthly payments based on views and engagement	Creator Fund - Limited and unpredictable payouts, often criticized for low rates
Channel Memberships - Monthly recurring revenue from dedicated subscribers, $1-50+ per member	Live Gifts - Real-time monetization during live streams, highly variable income
Super Chat/Stickers - Live stream monetization with immediate fan support	Brand Partnerships - Primary income source for most successful TikTok creators
Merch Shelf Integration - Direct product sales through YouTube's platform	TikTok Shop - Growing e-commerce integration with commission-based earnings
YouTube Shorts Fund - Bonus payments for short-form content performance	Affiliate Marketing - Link-in-bio strategies and TikTok Shop affiliate programs
Brand Sponsorships - Integrated sponsor segments within long-form content	Creator Marketplace - Platform-facilitated brand collaboration opportunities
Affiliate Marketing - Description links and verbal recommendations with high conversion rates	External Traffic - Driving followers to other platforms or websites for monetization

How do average conversion rates compare for product sales, affiliate links, and course signups on each platform by niche?

YouTube significantly outperforms TikTok in conversion rates across most categories, particularly for high-ticket items and educational content.

YouTube's longer-form content format allows creators to build trust and provide detailed product explanations, resulting in affiliate link conversion rates of 2-5% compared to TikTok's 0.5-1%. This difference becomes even more pronounced in niches like finance, technology, and education where purchase decisions require more consideration.

Course and information product sales see the most dramatic difference between platforms. YouTube creators in education, finance, and business niches achieve 2-5% conversion rates for course signups, leveraging their ability to demonstrate expertise through comprehensive content. TikTok's short-form format struggles to convey the depth needed for high-ticket educational sales.

E-commerce and physical product sales show a more nuanced picture. While YouTube maintains higher overall conversion rates, TikTok excels with impulse purchases and trending products, particularly in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle categories where visual appeal drives immediate purchasing decisions.

If you feel like your content isn't getting enough engagement, we can help improve that.

How does the full conversion funnel look from impressions to sales on YouTube and TikTok?

The conversion funnels on both platforms follow different patterns, with YouTube emphasizing deeper engagement while TikTok focuses on rapid, wide-reaching exposure.

YouTube's funnel begins with high-intent impressions through search and recommendations, converting 5-10% of impressions to views. The platform's algorithm prioritizes relevant content matching user search intent, leading to more qualified traffic from the start. Engagement rates typically hover around 2-5% for likes, comments, and shares combined.

Click-through rates on YouTube affiliate and product links range from 1-3%, with the platform's longer video format allowing for multiple call-to-action opportunities and detailed product demonstrations. Final conversion rates from clicks to sales typically achieve 2-5% for well-targeted content in trust-building niches.

TikTok's funnel starts with massive impression potential through the For You Page algorithm, but with lower initial intent. The platform excels at generating awareness and traffic volume rather than immediate conversions. Engagement rates are higher (5-10% for likes, comments, shares), but click-through rates to external links remain lower at 0.5-1%.

TikTok's final conversion rates typically range from 0.5-1%, though this can spike for viral content or highly targeted demographics. The platform performs best for low-cost, impulse-driven purchases where minimal consideration time is required.

What is the average monthly income for creators at different levels on YouTube versus TikTok?

Income disparities between platforms become more pronounced as creator size increases, with YouTube offering more predictable earnings while TikTok provides higher earning potential for top performers.

Creator Level	Follower Count	YouTube Monthly Income	TikTok Monthly Income
Nano	1k-10k	$25-$250 - primarily from AdSense and small affiliate commissions	$50-$500 - mainly brand collaborations and TikTok Shop commissions
Micro	10k-100k	$250-$5,000 - diversified income from ads, memberships, and sponsored content	$300-$2,500 - brand deals become primary income source
Macro	100k-1M	$5,000-$15,000 - stable monthly income with multiple revenue streams	$2,500-$10,000 - highly dependent on viral content and brand partnerships
Mega	1M+	$15,000-$88,000+ - substantial, predictable income from various sources	$10,000-$500,000+ - extreme variability based on virality and deals

When in doubt about what to post, we've got your back.

How many bots or fake engagement accounts are typically found on TikTok and YouTube?

TikTok faces significantly higher bot activity compared to YouTube, particularly affecting engagement authenticity and brand partnership valuations.

TikTok's rapid growth and algorithm-driven discovery have made it more susceptible to fake engagement, with bot accounts inflating likes, comments, and follower counts across the platform. This issue is particularly prevalent in emerging markets and affects smaller creators disproportionately, as fake engagement can artificially boost their apparent performance metrics.

The prevalence of bots on TikTok requires brands and creators to carefully vet engagement authenticity before entering partnership agreements. Fake followers often show patterns like generic usernames, minimal post history, and engagement timing that doesn't align with natural user behavior.

YouTube maintains stricter anti-bot policies and higher barriers to monetization, resulting in lower fake engagement rates. The platform's emphasis on watch time and retention metrics makes it more difficult for bots to meaningfully impact creator earnings or algorithm performance.

However, YouTube isn't immune to fake engagement, particularly for newer channels seeking to meet monetization thresholds. Purchased subscribers and views can still occur but are generally easier to detect and have less impact on long-term creator success.

What are the main audience differences between TikTok and YouTube in terms of demographics and behavior?

The platforms serve distinctly different audience behaviors and expectations, influencing how creators should approach content and monetization strategies.

YouTube attracts a broader age demographic spanning 18-44, with strong representation across Gen Z and Millennial audiences. The platform's users demonstrate higher tolerance for longer content, often consuming 5-30+ minute videos and showing preference for in-depth, educational, or entertainment content that provides substantial value.

YouTube audiences exhibit more research-driven purchasing behavior, making them ideal for high-ticket items, courses, and products requiring consideration. Their longer attention spans allow creators to build trust and demonstrate expertise, leading to higher conversion rates for affiliate products and services.

TikTok skews younger, primarily serving 16-34 year olds, though the platform's user base continues aging upward. Users expect short-form content (15-90 seconds, maximum 3 minutes) and demonstrate preferences for trend-driven, visually engaging material that delivers immediate entertainment or information.

TikTok audiences favor impulse purchasing and trend-based buying behavior, making them ideal for low-cost products, fashion items, and viral consumer goods. Their shorter attention spans require creators to hook viewers immediately and deliver value quickly.

If you're unsure why your audience isn't growing, let's take a look together.

In what specific areas does YouTube clearly outperform TikTok, and where does TikTok outperform YouTube?

Each platform dominates in distinct areas that align with their fundamental content and audience differences.

YouTube's clear advantages:

• Monetization stability - Higher CPM rates, diversified revenue streams, and predictable monthly income
• Search and evergreen content - Strong SEO capabilities and content that generates revenue for years
• High-value conversions - Better performance for expensive products, courses, and services requiring trust
• Community building - Deeper audience relationships and higher subscriber loyalty
• Brand safety - Better content controls and lower risk for brand partnerships

TikTok's clear advantages:

• Rapid follower growth - Algorithm-driven discovery can build audiences exponentially faster
• Viral reach potential - Single videos can reach millions of viewers overnight
• High engagement rates - Significantly higher interaction percentages across all follower tiers
• Trend capitalization - Ability to quickly leverage trending topics and formats
• Low-barrier content creation - Simple tools and formats allow rapid content production

Don't know which format works best for your audience? We can help you test and optimize.

How have monetization metrics, algorithms, and engagement trends evolved on YouTube and TikTok in 2025?

Both platforms have undergone significant changes in 2025, with YouTube strengthening its monetization ecosystem while TikTok faces engagement rate challenges despite commerce expansion.

YouTube's algorithm has increasingly favored high retention and engagement metrics, with creators seeing better performance from content that keeps viewers watching longer. The platform's monetization features continue expanding, with improved affiliate integrations and enhanced shopping capabilities providing creators more revenue opportunities.

YouTube Shorts growth continues but generally pays less than long-form content, creating a strategic challenge for creators balancing reach versus revenue. The platform's emphasis on community features like memberships and Super Chat has grown, rewarding creators who build engaged, loyal audiences.

TikTok experienced a notable decline in engagement rates throughout 2024, with average engagement dropping approximately 40% year-over-year. However, the platform maintains strong performance for nano and micro-influencers, suggesting algorithm changes favor newer or smaller creators.

TikTok Shop and affiliate tools have expanded significantly in 2025, shifting the platform's focus toward commerce integration. This evolution provides new monetization opportunities but requires creators to adapt their content strategies to incorporate product promotion naturally.

Based on growth goals, niche, and monetization intent, how should someone choose between starting with YouTube or TikTok in 2025?

Platform selection should align with your content strengths, niche characteristics, and long-term business objectives rather than following general recommendations.

Choose YouTube if:

• Your niche benefits from detailed explanations (finance, education, technology, complex gaming content)
• You prioritize stable, scalable long-term income over rapid but volatile growth
• Your target audience values research and in-depth content before making purchases
• You plan to monetize through ads, memberships, high-ticket affiliate sales, or courses
• You prefer creating evergreen content that generates revenue over extended periods

Choose TikTok if:

• Your niche thrives on visual trends, quick tips, or entertainment (beauty, lifestyle, dance, comedy)
• You want rapid audience growth and are comfortable with income volatility
• Your monetization strategy focuses on brand deals, TikTok Shop, or impulse-driven affiliate sales
• You excel at short-form content creation and can maintain frequent posting schedules
• You're targeting younger demographics who prefer bite-sized content consumption

Optimal strategy for most creators: Use both platforms strategically, with TikTok for top-of-funnel awareness and rapid audience building, then YouTube for deeper engagement, trust-building, and higher-value conversions. This dual approach maximizes both reach and revenue potential.

If your social media presence feels stuck, we can give you the push you need.

Conclusion

Sources

1. Awisee - YouTube CPM Rates
2. Red Social - YouTube RPM by Niche
3. Uppbeat - Most Profitable YouTube Niches
4. Shopify - YouTube CPM Guide
5. Wolfheart - Profitable YouTube Niches
6. Napolify - TikTok RPM Niches
7. Impulze - Influencer Engagement Rates
8. Oberlo - YouTube Engagement Statistics
9. Hire Influence - Influencer Income Statistics
10. Fiverr - How Much YouTubers Make

Who is the author of this content?

NAPOLIFY

A team specialized in data-driven growth strategies for social media

We offer data-driven, battle-tested approach to growing online profiles, especially on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Unlike traditional agencies or consultants who often recycle generic advice, we go on the field and we keep analyzing real-world social content—breaking down hundreds of viral posts to identify what formats, hooks, and strategies actually drive engagement, conversions, and growth. If you'd like to learn more about us, you can check our website.

How this content was created 🔎📝

At Napolify, we analyze social media trends and viral content every day. Our team doesn't just observe from a distance—we're actively studying platform-specific patterns, breaking down viral posts, and maintaining a constantly updated database of trends, tactics, and strategies. This hands-on approach allows us to understand what actually drives engagement and growth.

These observations are originally based on what we've learned through analyzing hundreds of viral posts and real-world performance data. But it was not enough. To back them up, we also needed to rely on trusted resources and case studies from major brands.

We prioritize accuracy and authority. Trends lacking solid data or performance metrics were excluded.

Trustworthiness is central to our work. Every source and citation is clearly listed, ensuring transparency. A writing AI-powered tool was used solely to refine readability and engagement.

To make the information accessible, our team designed custom infographics that clarify key points. We hope you will like them! All illustrations and media were created in-house and added manually.