Have you ever seen a popular YouTube video and wondered just how much the creator might get paid? You’re not alone. People all over the world are asking, How many views does a video need to generate revenue on YouTube?” The answer is more complicated than you’d think, but don’t worry; we will explain it in the simplest way possible.
Now, let’s discuss how money is generated on YouTube along with what “YouTube Pay Per View” precisely means and what it requires to convert views into pounds.
What Does “YouTube Pay Per View” Mean?
“YouTube Pay Per View” is not a fixed price for every person who clicks on your video. YouTube doesn’t pay just for views. It pays you based on ads shown during your videos. This money comes from advertisers who pay YouTube to promote their products.
In short, you make money when someone:
- Watches an ad on your video,
- Clicks an ad,
- Or watches enough of your video to trigger more ads.
The money you earn is called ad revenue.
Important Terms You Should Know
You’ll hear two important terms when it comes to earning from YouTube:
- CPM (Cost Per Mille): This is how much advertisers pay for every 1,000 views of their ads.
- RPM (Revenue Per Mille): This is how much you earn per 1,000 video views. YouTube takes its share, and the rest is your RPM.
On average:
- CPM in the UK might range from £2.50 to £4.10, depending on your content.
- RPM usually ends up between £1 and £5 per 1,000 views.
So, if your RPM is £2, and your video gets 10,000 views, you earn £20.
How to Start Earning – The Basics
You can’t start earning straight away. You need to join the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP) first.
To qualify for YPP, you need:
- 1,000 subscribers
- 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months
- A linked AdSense account
- No strikes or rule violations on your channel
Once you’re accepted, you can start making money through ads on your videos.
So, How Many Views Do You Actually Need to Earn Money?
Let’s break it down based on RPM:
If your RPM is £2, then:
- 1,000 views = £2
- 10,000 views = £20
- 50,000 views = £100
- 100,000 views = £200
- 500,000 views = £1,000
To make your first £100, you might need between 30,000 and 70,000 views, depending on your channel’s topic, audience, and video engagement.
Some creators with higher RPM can reach £100 with even fewer views. Others may need more if their RPM is low.
What Type of Videos Earn More?
Not all videos earn the same. Some topics are more valuable to advertisers. These types of content tend to earn more through YouTube Pay Per View:
- Finance (like savings tips, investing, credit scores)
- Technology (mobile reviews, tech advice)
- Education (study tips, learning tools)
- Business and Marketing
- Health and Fitness
For example, a video about budgeting may attract banks or apps that pay more for ads, which raises your RPM.
Entertainment videos like vlogs or comedy sketches can still earn money but often have lower RPM unless they attract a large, loyal audience.
Tips to Earn More from YouTube Views
If you want to grow your income, focus on these simple tips:
Stay Consistent
Post videos on a regular basis. Whether it’s once a week or once a month, consistency keeps your audience coming back.
Stick to a Topic
Channels that focus on one main topic tend to grow faster. Pick something you enjoy — gaming, food, DIY, or reviews — and keep to that theme.
Encourage Viewers to Stay
The longer someone watches your video, the better. YouTube may show more ads, and your video could get promoted more.
Use Clear Titles and Thumbnails
This helps people click on your videos. More clicks mean more views — and more chances to earn.
Engage With Viewers
Reply to comments, ask questions, and be active. Loyal fans are more likely to watch your future videos.
Other Ways to Earn on YouTube
Besides YouTube Pay Per View, there are other ways to make money on YouTube. These include:
Channel Memberships
Fans pay a monthly fee for special badges, emojis, or extra content.
Super Chat
When you stream live, viewers can pay to highlight their messages in the chat.
Affiliate Marketing
Add links to products in your video descriptions. If viewers buy using your link, you earn a small share.
Sponsored Videos
Brands may pay you to mention or feature their product.
Selling Products
You can sell your own T-shirts, mugs, or digital items through your videos.
How Small Channels Can Still Earn
You don’t need millions of views to start earning. Many UK creators make a steady income with smaller but engaged audiences.
For instance:
- A creator with 5,000 subscribers posting once a week might earn between £50 and £200 per month from ads.
- Adding affiliate links or selling merchandise could boost this to £300+ per month.
If you focus on a helpful topic and build trust, your earnings can grow even with a smaller channel.
What Not to Do
To keep your channel safe, avoid:
- Using bots or buying views
- Uploading copied content
- Using music or clips you don’t own
- Clickbait titles or fake giveaways
These can get your channel flagged or banned, and you’ll lose all income.
Final Thoughts
Making money on YouTube is possible, even in the UK, but it takes time, effort, and smart planning. Focus on building a real audience, creating helpful or entertaining content, and being patient.
Whether you’re doing YouTube for fun or to earn some side income, remember that every big channel started small. Keep posting, keep learning, and your efforts can pay off.