Last Updated on December 23, 2025 by Jan Barley
Profitable YouTube niches can be life-changing if you get it right. When I launched my first YouTube channel, I’m not sure what I expected, but it sure as hell wasn’t getting 10 views after taking 3-5 hours to create videos!
I didn’t realise that choosing the right niche is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make before you hit the record button. I made a lot of rookie errors.
So, look, don’t make the mistakes I made. From the get go, choose a profitable YouTube niche and start making money.
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this page. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.
The Following Are the Most Profitable YouTube Niches
Making Money Online: RPM $13.52
On average, this niche boasts a top-tier RPM of $13.52, making it a lucrative space for creators. Some videos focused on affiliate marketing can see RPMs soar as high as $22.00
Example: Ali Abdaal’s video on instant side hustles racked up 1 million views in under four months. He is an ex doctor who now makes considerably more than when he worked for the NHS!
Digital Marketing: RPM $12:52
The impressive average RPM of $12.52 is no surprise because digital marketers are masters at promoting their skills. They know how to leverage tools like YouTube SEO to their advantage. Hint: Many of them use VidIQ to grow their YouTube channels.
Example: Adam Erhart’s 17-minute video Digital Marketing for Beginners gained 1.1 million views. Like most successful entrepreneurs, he promotes his courses. In 2024, he began diversifying into using AI for blogging.
Read: Faceless Digital Marketing: An In-Depth Guide to Getting Started
Personal Finance and Investments: RPM up to $12.00
These channels cover financial topics, such as breaking down stock market jargon to offering tips on making money, crypto, side hustles, budgeting, etc. With RPM rates reaching up to $12, this niche is one of the most lucrative on YouTube.
Example: Nischa is an ex-accountant sharing her lived experience. One of the best-performing videos is 9 Habits Keeping You Poor. It’s only 8 minutes long but has an astonishing 10 million views. Indeed, most of her content reaches multiple millions.
Educational Content: RPM $9.89
Creators in this niche enjoy an average RPM of $9.89. The best way to attack the educational niche is with unique video content, such as animated stories or lip syncing avatars. FlexClip offers this functionality, but be aware that lip syncing and creating video from images it’s still in it’s infancy.
Example: Nothing really compares to the TED channel with 26 million subscribers, but it shows the power of storytelling in education
Read: Mastering Faceless Marketing: An In-Depth Guide
Tech, Cars, and Gadgets RPM up to $7.31
Are you a tech head? If so, the tech niche, covering topics such as cars and gadgets, is another big earner on YouTube. The content attracts advertisers, from reviewing the latest iPhone to comparing Nikon vs. Fuji cameras or taking a Ferrari for a spin.
RPM rates within this niche vary widely. For example:
- Photography channels: RPMs, averaging $7.31
- Car-focused content: RPMs around $4.32
- General tech channels: RPMs averaging $2.39
While this niche can be incredibly profitable, it comes with notable upfront costs. Creators often need to purchase or access the tech they review, which can add up quickly before seeing any significant earnings.
Example: The Future Tech channel has almost 700k subscribers and is a great example to give you ideas.
Read: Profitable Faceless YouTube Ideas: 7 Amazing Opportunities
Home Improvement: RPM $7.00 – $36.00
Are you good with a hammer, or enjoy smashing down walls in your house? Tips don’t need to be mind-blosing either. For instance, did you know that simply painting your walls in neutral tones can increase your home’s value by 107%? That’s the kind of game-changing insight viewers love.
The home improvement niche works because everyone is trying to save money but still have a beautiful home. So, viewers flock to these channels for practical, affordable tips.
Example: The Home Improvement UK channel has over 1 million subscribers. They share punchy content that draws people in.
Read: Tips for YouTube Growth: How Top YouTubers Succeed
Lifestyle: RPM $3.47
The lifestyle niche is one of YouTube’s most popular and versatile categories. Audiences get drawn to creators sharing their travels, careers, home tours, and personal relationships.
On average, lifestyle YouTubers can expect RPM rates of $3.47, though there’s a wide variety and competition in this space.
What sets lifestyle content apart is its personal touch. By sharing personal experiences, creators build relatability and foster a sense of community. Viewers may not always aspire to replicate these lifestyles, but they often seek inspiration or entertainment in watching others’ lives unfold.
Example: Sanne Vloet has almost 2 million subscribers and some of her videos have millions of views.
Read: Passive Income with AI for Moms (5 Super Smart Ideas)
Moving on to the next profitable YouTube niche, we are almost halfway through.
Beauty & Makeup: RPM $3.00 – $10.00
The beauty and makeup niche, closely tied to fashion, is one of YouTube’s most popular categories. Despite fierce competition, well-crafted beauty channels attract significant advertiser interest.
On average, beauty YouTubers earn RPM rates of just over $3, mainly because this content naturally revolves around products. These videos seamlessly integrate products advertisers are eager to promote, from skincare and cosmetics to haircare tutorials and makeup reviews.
A particularly lucrative subcategory within this niche is weight loss content, where RPM rates can climb as high as $10.
Example: Doctor Mike has 13.5 million subscribers. His 10-minute video Doctor Fact Checks Popular Weight Loss Tips racked up over 4 million views. Rhianna’s 10 minute guide to going out makeup has 16 million views
Read: 7 Profitable Side Hustles for Beginners You Can Start Today
Cooking & Recipes: RPM $2.50
The cooking niche experienced a massive surge in popularity in the last few years, particularly during the pandemic. As more people stayed home, they turned to YouTube for recipe ideas, cooking tutorials, etc.
Whether it’s quick weeknight meals, gourmet dishes, or baking masterpieces, cooking channels continue to draw in audiences hungry for inspiration and guidance.
Although the RPM is low at $2.50, it’s a popular niche with affiliate offers and brand deal opportunities. Weight loss content is also relevant in this niche, as some channels promote recipes and tips for losing weight.
The downside with this niche is the competition. Many people are jumping on this bandwagon because they think it’s the road to riches, but it’s bloody hard work. However, if you have stickability and keep producing valuable content, you can make it work.
Example: Ahmad Noori (Dr. Vegann) has 500k+ subscribers and only four recipe videos. His secret sauce is shorts and particular for vegans.
Fitness and Bodybuilding: RPM $1.60+
The fitness and bodybuilding niche has gained tremendous momentum. From beginner yoga sessions to niche topics like using weighted jump ropes for muscle growth, audiences flock to fitness content to achieve their health and body goals.
Advertisers have taken notice, with average RPM rates sitting at $1.60.
Example: Goal Guys 13-minute video, I Tried to Lose 10lbs of Body Fat in 50 Days (Insane Result), has 1.2 million views.
Video Games: RPM $1.40
The video game niche is one of YouTube’s largest and most influential categories. Your gaming content could get millions of views if you’re a passionate creator.
On average, gaming YouTubers earn RPM rates of $1.40. But considering the massive popularity of gaming, why isn’t the RPM higher? Firstly, there’s a lot of competition and secondly, your screening to a younger audience with less disposable income.
You gotta love gaming to work on a video channel. Gaming content resonates with kids and adults and remains a vibrant space for creators to showcase their passion and skills.
Example: SpawnPoint has over 1 million subscribers.
Pet & Animal Niche: RPM $2.00 – $8.00
If you love animals, this niche can be lucrative. Despite the RPM being lower at $2 to $8, creating watchable content can generate millions of views. I have two favourite animal channels that have had astounding success.
Examples:
- Lou The Chichi has 1.2 million subscribers and has a popular range of cute merchandise for pocket-sized dogs and are dominating the pet niche on YouTube.
- Poppy the Prairie Dog may only have 665k subscribers. Still, considering prairie dogs aren’t the average pet, it is a hugely successful channel and proves you can succeed with any animal content.
Relationships: RPM $2.70 – $8.00
There’s a growing demand for evergreen content on love, dating, and communication. Studies show that many men struggle with romantic conversations, which is why these channels have gained so much traction in recent years.
With an average RPM range of $2.70 to $8, the relationship niche offers significant earning potential for relationship content creators.
Example: Jimmy on Narcissists is a popular channel solely about narcissism, with 1.12 million subscribers.
ASMR: RPM $3.50
The ASMR niche is a unique and popular category on YouTube. These channels focus on delivering sensory experiences—gentle sounds and visuals designed to evoke calming and pleasurable feelings or even trigger the tingling sensation known as the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR).
For some, the simple act of watching someone slice soap neatly is profoundly relaxing. Many ASMR channels are simple noises (we all know the satisfaction of popping bubble wrap, right?).
Advertisers see value in this emotionally positive and engaging environment, rewarding ASMR creators with an average RPM of $3.50, a solid figure for such a specialised niche.
Example: Alix ASMR has 450k+ subscribers
Motivation & Spirituality: RPM $2.50 – $4.00
The motivation and spirituality niche encompasses a vast range of worldviews, but its common thread is a focus on self-care and personal growth.
Advertisers and sponsors see immense value in this audience, consisting of highly engaged viewers invested in their well-being. That makes the niche fairly lucrative, with RPM rates typically between $2.50 and $4.00.
Creators in this space provide their audience with guidance, inspiration, and the tools to find meaning and foster growth. It’s a niche that resonates deeply with those on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Example: Your Youniverse has over 1 millioon subscribers and gets a lot of engagement with her content.
BTW, I recently launched my Simply Manifesting channel Whoo hooo! It’s slow going, even though I am following all the YouTube growth tips.
Travel: RPM $2.00+
Grab your suitcase, phone or video camera, because the travel niche thrives on sharing experiences, adventures, and insights from global destinations, captivating viewers with the promise of exploration and discovery.
The niche rebounded after a pandemic-induced slowdown that impacted travel-hungry audiences, tourism businesses, and creators alike.
However, travel YouTubers are experiencing a resurgence in brand partnerships, collaborations with local tourism boards, and RPM rates climbing back to an average of $2 or more. It’s certaintly not amongst the most profitable YouTube niches, but the income-earning potential is unlimited.
Example: MissTiffanyMa doesn’t have millions of subscribers but her shorts video “How to survive a 22 hour flight” had 1.7 million views. You don’t need millions of subscribers for the travel niche because the earning potential off YouTube is enormous.
Fashion: RPM $3.00+
The fashion niche may not be one of the most profitable YouTube niches at around $3.00 RPM. Still, the potential for brand deals and affiliate offers are enormous.
“Try on” channels are popular, and you can often get clothing from brands that send you free garments to wear and share on your channel if you have many subscribers.
Example: VivaciousHoney has almost 3 million subscribers.
Read: Best Pinterest Courses: My Own First-Hand Experience
Recommended Tools for Creating YouTube Video Content
You could spend a fortune on software that helps you create YouTube videos, but it’s best to start with a fruigal approach. After that you can start adding AI tools once you start making some money. The following are a few I currently use or have used:
VidIQ: The Only YouTube Growth & Optimisation Tool You Need
I got the chance to try VidIQ for a no-brainer offer price. I’d been using Tube Buddy but it wasn’t making any difference to results for my new channel. It’s low cost, simple to use and I recommend it to anyone that wants to grow their channel.
VidIQ comes with a powerful Chrome extension that connects to your YouTube channel. That helps with:
- Optimising titles
- Suggesting SEO descriptions
- Scoring your video optimisation
- Suggesting high-performing tags
- and more
VidIQ tracks how your content is performing and helps you set goals. It also gives you daily suggestions for video content that will likely perform in your niche. It provides a service to research competitors and outliers and has a thumbnail creator, which I don’t use as I prefer making my own within VidIQ parameters.
The VidIQ Script Writer is phenomenal. It makes ChatGPT look like a dunce! It’s genuinely human-like and you can choose the tone.
After choosing an idea from the daily suggestions (optimised for your channel) you give the idea to the Script Writer, including how long you want the video and it does the job.
Since implenting VidIqs training, my little channel is finally growing. I only started a few weeks ago.
With VidIQ, YouTube creators like you can make data-driven decisions, boost their video visibility, and gain valuable insights into what’s working on your channel, and what’s not. Whether you’re just starting or scaling up, VidIQ gives you a fantastic range of tools considering the price, and helps you grow your audience.
CapCut: Recommended Video Editing Software
I’ve used CapCut for several years. I bloody love it. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate.
My video creation process is:
- Create done-for-you scripts with VidIQ
- Record voiceover on ElevenLabs
- Create video backdrops on Canva
- Download royalty-free music from Uppbeat
- Import video, voiceover & music into CapCut
- Add Effects
- Add Captions
- Export and upload to YouTube
CapCut is the ‘go-to’ video editing software for most successful YouTubers and, once you try it, you’ll never look back. It’s made my life so much easier.
Eleven Labs: Text-to-Audio
When I started creating video content last year on TikTok, it took me multiple takes to produce audio.
I still sometimes use my own voice for meditation tracks, but 85% of my voiceovers are now with ElevenLabs.
This fantastic ai software seamlessly creates text-to-audio. They’ve now added video and image creation, implementing Nano Banana and other AI platforms.
Uppbeat: Royalty-Free Music
Uppbeat is a no brainer. I’ve been an Uppbeat member for many years. The choice of royalty-free music genres is fantastic for the low price, and you can whitelist up to three YouTube channels.
If you’re grabbing music from free sites, trying to save a penny, the last thing you want is to get a music copyright claim slapped on your YouTube channel.
Uppbeat has every music genre imagineable and you can start for free (as long as you add the content creator’s link, which Uppbeat gives you).
Conclusion: The Most Profitable YouTube Niches
It took me over a year of procrastination before I finally started recording video content, and I messed that up at first. It’s only recently, I’ve been researching YouTube niches outside of my experience and finding one or two that are fun for me to produce content.
If you’re serious about building your YouTube channel, subscribing to AI tools that save time and improve results is a no-brainer.
These four tools cost me around £50/month and make a huge difference
- VidIQ YouTube Growth
- CapCut Video Editing
- Uppbeat Royalty Free Music
- ElevenLabs Text-to-Audio
Seriously, these are all you need.
One thing I know for sure is not to focus entirely on making money. Even though we’re talking about profitable YouTube niches, you must love your subject; otherwise, sustaining motivation is almost impossible.
If you aren’t having fun creating YouTube video content, you will lose motivation. 100% guaranteed (says shes speaking from hard experience). VidIQ training suggests that passion for your subject helps you win on YouTube, above consistency and all the other stuff.
Creating video content is time-consuming and fiddly when you first start. Technical hitches can stall progress for hours and frustrate your plans. Start with the end in sight but 100% commit to the process and have fun.
Finally, remember not to put all your eggs in one basket. Don’t rely on ad revenue from your YouTube channel.
Consider starting an email marketing campaign (Which you can do for FREE with Systeme), sharing affiliate offers, memberships, courses and coaching. The most profitable YouTube niches nail this aspect of building their channels.
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this page. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.
FAQs
What Is The Most Profitable Niche On YouTube?
There’s no single “most profitable” niche, but some of the highest-earning ones include personal finance, tech reviews, digital marketing, health & fitness, and online education.
Profitability often comes from high CPMs (cost per thousand views), affiliate opportunities, and brand deals. However, always consider the bigger picture. With some niches, you can make more money from affiliate marketing, selling digital products, coaching and memberships.
You can find some quirky, faceless YouTube channel ideas that have little competition.
So, keep your options open and research thoroughly before starting a YouTube channel.
How Do I Choose The Right Niche For My YouTube Channel?
Start by identifying topics you’re passionate or knowledgeable about. Then, validate the niche by checking demand (search volume, trending videos) and competition.
Ideally, your niche should balance your interest, audience demand, and monetisation potential.
Can Small Channels Still Make Money In Profitable Niches?
Absolutely! You don’t need millions of views to earn income. Smaller channels can monetise through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and selling digital products or services—even before reaching the YouTube Partner Programme threshold.
Should I Pick A Niche Based On Passion Or Profitability?
Ideally, both. A niche you’re genuinely interested in will help you stay consistent long-term. But it also helps to pick a topic with good monetisation potential—think of it as choosing a profitable passion.
It can take time to get to 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch hours, and you WILL lose interest if you only choose a niche to make money and have no genuine interest in the content.
How Do I Know If My Niche Has A High CPM?
Niches like finance, real estate, tech, and education typically have higher CPMs. You can also check competitor videos and use tools like vidIQ or TubeBuddy to research CPM estimates and keyword data.
Can I Change My Niche Later If It’s Not Working?
Yes, but be cautious. Sudden shifts in content can confuse your audience and impact channel performance. If you plan to pivot, gradually guide your viewers through the transition with clear messaging.
Ideally, if you realise the niche you’ve chosen isn’t for you, start again. Open a new YouTube channel and start creating content you enjoy.
What’s the Best Video Editing Software for Beginners?
I recommend CapCut. I tried other software and found them frustating. CapCut is easy to use. The interface is perfect for beginners as it’s mostly drag and drop. It has some great effects, sounds and lots of other great things to play with to wow your video content.
How Do I Grow My YouTube Channel?
I know I sound like a cracked record, but VidIQ is the best YouTube growth software for small or established YouTubers. In a matter of weeks, I more than doubled my subscriber list and now feel like I actually know what I’m doing, where I’m going and how to grow my YouTube channel.
