The 15 Most Profitable YouTube Niches in 2024 (2024)

To start with, the single most profitable YouTube niche isstrategies for making money online. Countless people hit YouTube to learn how to generate additional income streams online. And quite a few YouTube creators are ready to share their expertise.

On average, creators in this niche see the highest CPM at of$13.52.

Some sub-niches are even more profitable. Content centered around making money throughaffiliate marketingcan reach CPM heights of up to$22.

Next up, digital marketing has the second-highest income potential on YouTube.Social media marketing channels, for instance, see average CPM rates of$12.52.

It’s unsurprising, really: For one, digital marketers know exactly how to showcase and sell what they do – through YouTube SEO, for instance. For another, they address an audience of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For advertisers and sponsors, this is a veryvaluable target demographic. As a creator in this space, it’s especially easy to diversify your traffic channels as well. We see a ton of marketing influencers expand into their own websites, blogs, academy lessons, and more

In third place is anothermoney-relatedniche: personal finance and investments. Unlike the previous two, personal finance channels focus less on earning money by hustling and improving your marketing. Instead, they show you how to manage – and invest – the money you already have.

Channels in this niche give advice on anything from stock market terminology tomaking money through crypto. With up to$12, these creators are seeing one of the highest YouTube CPM rates.

Ranking fourth is a fairly broad category – educational content. Some of themost-subscribed YouTube channels out therefocus oneducation content for kids.

But adult topics are also in high demand, ranging from history andscience channelsto how to use Microsoft Office. Tutorials and courses are some of the most popular YouTube videos on the entire platform. On average, YouTubers in this niche see CPM rates of$9.89.

Despite how YouTube restricts advertising on kids’ content, educational content is a very profitable niche.

Another high-earning niche istechnology, especially cars and gadgets.

Whether it’s a review of the latest iPhone, a comparison between Nikon and Fuji cameras, or a test drive in a new Ferrari, advertisers love tech content.

Within the niche, though, there’s a range of CPM rates. Photography YouTubers, for instance, can see high CPM rates of around$7.31, while the average CPM for car channels is about$4.32. Forgeneral tech channels, advertisers shell out$2.39per 1,000 ad views.

There’s one thing you need to take into account if you’re thinking of joining this niche, though. And that’s the associated costs. Even if your earnings are higher, you often need toinvest in the techyou review or compare before you can start earning an income.

One of the most popular types of YouTube content is the lifestyle niche. Viewers love to follow other people’s travels and careers, glimpse into their homes, and stay tuned on their relationships.

On average,lifestyle YouTubers can expect CPM rates of $3.47. Note, though, that there’s a lot of variance here, and a lot of competition. After all, there is a huge range to lifestyle creators, from those vlogging from a mansion to college students sharing their campus experience.

What makes this niche so special is just how personal the experiences people share can be. This createsrelatabilityand a sense of connection, even of a community.

Viewers might not actually aspire to a similar lifestyle, but many look for inspiration in the lives of others. And wherever products and services appear, there is potential for advertisers – and for monetization.

Advertisers know this.

On average, lifestyle YouTubers can expect CPM rates of $3.47.

One of the most popular types of YouTube content is the lifestyle niche. Viewers love to follow other people’s travels and careers, glimpse into their homes, and stay tuned on their relationships.

On average,lifestyle YouTubers can expect CPM rates of $3.47. Note, though, that there’s a lot of variance here, and a lot of competition. After all, there is a huge range to lifestyle creators, from those vlogging from a mansion to college students sharing their campus experience.

What makes this niche so special is just how personal the experiences people share can be. This createsrelatabilityand a sense of connection, even of a community.

Viewers might not actually aspire to a similar lifestyle, but many look for inspiration in the lives of others. And wherever products and services appear, there is potential for advertisers – and for monetization.

Sister niche to fashion,beauty channels– and makeup YouTubers in particular – are some of the most popular on YouTube. While the competition is enormous, well-produced channels enjoy a lot of advertiser attention.

As a grand average, beauty YouTubers see CPMs ofslightly over $3. Much of this is because the content naturally deals with products. Skincare lines, cosmetics, hair products – all these and many more are constantly shown in reviews and hairstyle how-tos and makeup tutorials.

We’re also counting the weight loss topic here, notably because it can be very lucrative: CPM rates can goup to $10.

Especially during the pandemic, cooking channels saw an incredible boost. More and more people are turning to YouTube for recipe inspiration, to boost their kitchen skills, or to marvel at others’ amazing creations.

Cooking channels are fairly profitable in terms of CPM rates, with average values at $2.50.

Like cooking channels, fitness and bodybuilding content has seen a significant rise in popularity. From workout routines andbeginners’ yogato very specific topics – weighted jump ropes for muscle growth, for example – YouTube audiences flock to channels that help themreach their body goals.

Advertisers acknowledge that with average CPM rates of$1.60.

Some fitness topics attract above-average CPMs. Some need particular equipment – whether it’s just running shoes or full-on climbing gear. Others are associated with particular diets. Bodybuilding, for instance, covers both.

Next up, there’s video games – one of thebiggest niches on YouTube. Whether it’s reviews, advanced walkthroughs, streaming or simply gameplay videos with engaging commentary, gaming content can earn passionate YouTubers several million views.

Many gaming expos now dedicate space to video content creators, which has made them into some of thebiggest YouTuber eventsas well.

In fact, several ofthe most-subscribed channelsand highest-earning YouTubers, such as PewDiePie, fall into the gaming niche. On average, creators in the gameplay niche see CPM rates of around$1.40.

Considering just how popular many gamers are, why is the average CPM not higher? For one, the competition is enormous. For another, the audience skews young, which means a lower disposable income.

Some of the most active communities are those ofMinecraft YouTubers(MCYT for short) andRobloxplayers, as well as players of indie horror games like FNAF.

Comedy, humor, and prank channelstake center stage on YouTube. These channels thrive on pure entertainment: Viewers eat up hilarious skits, challenges, pranks, incredible giveaways, and other comedy content.

The need to have a laugh is pretty universal, and so these creators attract a wide range of viewers, from teenagers to adults. This diversity – especially in income – lowers the CPM potential somewhat, but it still hovers at around$1 on average.

The built-in advantage is that it’s all about positive emotion. And that’s kind of context that brands and advertisers love to see their ads and products in.

There are a few unique, extremely popular niches that have very little to do with lifestyle and the world of products. These channels are all about a kind ofsensory stimulationthat produces positive feelings.

ASMR content in particular centers on certain gentle sounds or visuals. Many people experience these as calming and pleasurable, or even feel a pleasant tingling (the “autonomous sensory meridian response” or ASMR proper).

As with comedy channels, this is agreat environmentto present certain kinds of ads and products in. Advertisers reward this with a fairly high CPM for such a niche topic, averagingaround $3.50.

While there is a big range of worldviews in this niche, what they all share is afocus on self-cultivation. These channels cater to individuals seeking personal growth, inner peace, and the motivation to overcome challenges.

Advertisers and sponsors recognize the value of reaching viewers that are invested in their personal well-being and self-improvement. Consequently, the average CPM for these channels generally falls within therange of $2.50 to $4.00.

Travel is another niche where creators focus onsharing experiences and insights, taking viewers on adventures around the world.

After a pandemic that affected both travel-hungry audiences, the businesses that cater to them, and the creators themselves, the niche is again in full swing.

Fortravel YouTubers, this has not only meant more collaboration offers from brands and local tourism boards, but also CPM rates climbing back toover $2.

Not all niches are created equal. If yourprimary goal on YouTube is to generate an income, you need to take that into account when youstart your channel.

However, you also need to factor in how much you need toinvestin creating content in each niche, andhow fierce the competition is.

At the end of the day, you need to weigh all these factors carefully against your own passions and interests. Only then can you choose the niche that’s perfect for you.