How Much Do Gamers Make on YouTube in 2025?

TL;DR

Let’s be real, making money playing video games sounds like the ultimate dream. Maybe you’re curious how much the top gaming YouTubers earn, or if your own channel could turn your passion into a paycheck.

As someone who’s built a gaming channel with over 10,000 subscribers, I can tell you it’s not all smooth sailing and it’s definitely not just about Google AdSense.In fact, if you’re just starting out, laying the right foundation is crucial; this guide on starting a YouTube gaming channel covers everything you need to know.

The truth is, you could have 100,000 subscribers and still struggle to make a living if ad revenue is your only source of income. On the flip side, smaller channels with the right strategy can earn more than you’d expect.

So, how much do gamers make on YouTube? Let’s dive into the numbers, explore the different revenue streams, and set realistic expectations for your journey.

How Much Do Gamers Make on YouTube? (Revenue Streams)

Gamers on YouTube can earn income in many ways. Let’s break down each of the primary ways gamers make money on YouTube.

Ad Revenue (YouTube Partner Program)

Ad revenue is the most common income stream for gaming YouTubers. You earn through ads shown before, during, or after your videos, with earnings based on metrics like CPM (cost per thousand impressions) and RPM (revenue per thousand views).

For gaming channels, CPM typically ranges between $2–$5, but this depends heavily on your audience’s region and niche.

Ad revenue fluctuates based on seasonality (higher during Q4) and viewer engagement.

Gaming channels with long-form content often earn more, as YouTube can insert more ads.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships are a major revenue stream for gaming YouTubers, offering far more earning potential than ad revenue alone.

Brands pay creators to showcase their products or services, whether it’s through a quick mention, a dedicated segment, or an entire video integration.

For example, a gaming channel with 10,000 subscribers can often charge $500–$1,000 per sponsored video, while larger channels with tens of thousands of engaged viewers can command rates of $10,000 or more.

The key to maximizing sponsorship income lies in understanding your audience and creating authentic partnerships.

Brands are often less concerned with raw subscriber numbers and more interested audience fit and their marketing objectives.

If your content aligns naturally with a sponsor’s goals, you’re more likely to land lucrative deals.

However, sponsorships are not easy to get. It takes effort on your part to reach out to brands and initiate the communication. Rarely will huge brands reach out to smaller creator’s.

you will start to get emails about deals once you hit 5,000 -10,000 subscribers, but typically it’s just an email blast for a company trying to promote something that would not be a WIN for your viewers.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular way for gaming YouTubers to earn passive income by promoting products and earning a commission on sales made through their unique affiliate links.

This can include gaming gear, consoles, PC components, or even in-game items. Commission rates typically range from 2% to 10%, depending on the affiliate program and the product category.

For example, promoting high-ticket items like gaming PCs or monitors could earn you $20–$50 per sale.

The earning potential with affiliate marketing largely depends on how well you integrate product recommendations into your content.

Reviews, tutorials, and setup tours are great opportunities to include affiliate links. Channels with engaged audiences can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month, particularly if their content is more informational with viewers who are actively looking to buy.

That said, affiliate marketing has its challenges. It takes time to build trust with your audience, as viewers are more likely to click your links if they feel your recommendations are genuine.

Additionally, creating content around a product will earn you a lot more money than trying to force it into a standard gameplay video.

Lower-traffic channels may struggle to generate significant income initially, as affiliate marketing often requires consistent views and clicks to see meaningful results.

Misconceptions about affiliate programs being “easy money” can also lead to disappointment, as success relies heavily on strategic content and audience trust.

Merchandise Sales

Selling merchandise is a powerful way for gaming YouTubers to monetize their brand while strengthening their connection with fans.

Merch can range from branded T-shirts, hoodies, and hats to custom items like mugs, posters, or gaming accessories featuring unique designs or catchphrases. .

Merchandise can be a great way to monetize your gaming channel, but it’s not ideal for beginners or creators without a loyal fan base.

Casual or new viewers rarely buy merch; it’s your core community who truly connect with your content that drives sales. This is why building a strong, engaged community is crucial.

Channel Memberships

YouTube Channel Memberships allow gaming YouTubers to offer exclusive perks directly through their channel in exchange for a monthly subscription fee.

Members pay anywhere from $0.99 to $49.99 per month, though most creators set their tiers between $2.99 and $9.99 for accessibility.

Perks often include loyalty badges, custom emojis for live chats, exclusive live streams, or members-only videos.

This feature is ideal for fostering deeper connections with your audience while generating consistent income. Even with a modest audience, memberships can add up. For instance, 100 members paying $4.99 monthly equals nearly $500 in predictable revenue, which can make a big difference in your channel’s growth.

However, most people, even one’s with loyal fans, do not pay for channel memberships. It’s not as prominent as it is on Twitch. I think if the channel membership removed ads from just that channel (like on Twitch), you would see a lot more membership signups.

Donations (Super Chat)

Donations are one of the most direct ways for gaming YouTubers to earn money, especially during live streams.

YouTube’s Super Chat and Super Stickers allow viewers to pay to highlight their messages during a live chat. These contributions typically range from a few dollars to hundreds, depending on the generosity of viewers and the engagement level of the community.

The earning potential with donations can be significant for creators who regularly interact with their audience. Super Chats, for example, let viewers feel personally connected by having their messages stand out

However, donations come with nuances. They’re unpredictable and reliant on the generosity of your audience, which makes them an unstable income source if not supplemented by other streams.

Some creators also face the misconception that more viewers automatically mean more donations.

Income Examples

Let’s break down some hypothetical scenarios based on audience size and revenue streams. Keep in mind that 98% of gaming YouTubers typically earn the majority of their income from ad revenue.

Many creators miss out on significant earning potential by not monetizing outside of just getting views.

• Small Channels (1,000–10,000 Subscribers):
  • Ad Revenue: $50–$200 per month, assuming 20,000–50,000 monthly views with an average CPM of $2–$5.
    
  • Total Potential: $50–$200 monthly if relying solely on ads, with opportunities to scale through sponsorships or affiliate marketing.
    
• Medium Channels (50,000–100,000 Subscribers):
  • Ad Revenue: $500–$2,000 per month with 200,000–500,000 monthly views.
    
  • Total Potential: $500–$2,000 monthly for channels only using ads, but additional revenue streams (e.g., sponsorships, merch) could push earnings to $5,000–$8,000.
    
• Large Channels (500,000+ Subscribers):
  • Ad Revenue: $5,000–$15,000+ per month, assuming 1–3 million monthly views.
    
  • Total Potential: Channels relying solely on ads might cap earnings here, but those leveraging sponsorships, merch, and memberships can make $20,000+ per month.
    

Factors Affecting Earnings

The income potential of a gaming YouTube channel is influenced by several important factors that go beyond just view counts. Here’s a closer look at what makes a real impact.

Audience Demographics

Where your viewers are located has a big effect on how much advertisers are willing to pay. Viewers from regions like the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe typically generate higher CPMs compared to regions with lower ad spending, such as Southeast Asia.

Total Views

Consistent total view counts are the foundation of ad revenue. A channel with 1 million views per month could earn anywhere from $2,000–$5,000 through ads alone, depending on audience demographics and CPM rates.

Growing total views by improving content quality and discoverability is essential for scaling income.

Niche within Gaming

Your niche significantly impacts your earning potential because of potential audience size. Popular games like Fortnite or Call of Duty offer massive total addressable markets (TAM), which means larger potential audiences. Obviously if you don’t get many views, you still won’t earn much.

Engagement Metrics

The longer your audience watches, the more ads YouTube can show them, directly increasing your revenue. AVD is one of the most crucial engagement metrics, as it signals to YouTube that your content is valuable and keeps viewers on the platform.

Channels with higher AVDs often earn more ad revenue because they give advertisers more chances to display their ads.

These factors highlight the importance of understanding your audience and optimizing your content for both engagement and market potential. A strategic focus in these areas can significantly improve your earning power.

Family-Friendly Content

Being family-friendly plays a big role in your monetization potential. Channels that avoid excessive cursing or controversial topics are more likely to attract a wider audience and retain advertiser trust.

Brands are often willing to pay more for ads on content that appeals to all age groups, ensuring a steady income.

Why Most Gamers Fail To Earn Significant Money on YouTube

Many gamers dream of turning their passion for video games into a lucrative YouTube career, but the reality is that most fail to make significant money. Here’s why:

1. Overreliance on Ad Revenue

A common mistake is relying solely on Google AdSense for income. While ad revenue can provide a foundation, it’s often not enough to sustain a channel.

Even with a respectable number of views, CPMs in the gaming niche tend to be lower than in other categories, and earnings are inconsistent.

This means you will constantly be on a content hamster wheel chasing after views.

2. Lack of Community Building

Successful creators cultivate a loyal community. Many fail to connect with their audience on a deeper level, which limits opportunities for monetization like merch sales or memberships.

Platforms like Discord offer an excellent way to nurture your community, but few creators take advantage of them.

3. Unrealistic Expectations

Many gamers start their channels expecting quick success, only to give up when growth is slower than anticipated. Building a profitable YouTube channel takes time, consistency, and strategy. Channels that lack a clear niche or upload sporadically often struggle to gain traction.

Monetizing outside the platform

To grow a successful gaming brand, you need to expand beyond YouTube. Building a presence across platforms like Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, and X allows you to connect with more people and diversify your income.

Each platform has its own group of people who primarily consume content on that platform.

Repurposing content is a powerful strategy to maximize both reach and revenue. A single YouTube video can become TikTok highlights, Instagram Reels, or Twitter teasers. These bite-sized pieces attract new viewers while directing traffic back to your channel, boosting overall visibility and earnings.

FAQs

Conclusion

So, how much do gamers actually make on YouTube? The answer depends on how you approach it. If you’re relying solely on ad revenue, you might struggle, even with tens of thousands of subscribers.

But creators who diversify, learn to network through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and build a loyal community, can turn even modest view counts into meaningful income.

The truth is, not everyone will become a millionaire gaming YouTuber, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work.

Whether you’re trying to cover the cost of a new gaming PC or aiming to replace your 9-to-5, the potential is there if you’re willing to put in the time and effort.

The real question is, are you ready to take the next step? Start building your channel with a clear plan, focus on your audience, and think beyond just views. The gaming world is waiting what will you bring to the table?