YouTube is a popular video-sharing platform that has revolutionised how people consume and share content. In Kenya, content creators use the platform to showcase their talent and earn an extra income or a living. But how much does YouTube pay in Kenya?
A person opening her YouTube app (L) and YouTube logo (R). Photo: @Bright Side and @YouTube (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
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The payment structure in YouTube can be complex due to various factors, such as ad revenue rates. Although there have been stories of creators earning millions monthly from the platform, it may not be as straightforward as many think. So, how much does YouTube pay in Kenya?
How YouTube pay content creators in Kenya
Before determining how YouTube pays content creators in Kenya, it is crucial to understand YouTube’s monetisation process. Generally, YouTubers in Kenya can earn money by meeting certain eligibility criteria.
The first step is to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which allows content creators to monetise their content on the platform. After joining YPP, one must meet other criteria. Previously, this included having at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within the past 12 months.
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YouTube lowered the threshold to 500 subscribers, at least three public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in the past year or three million YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days.
Also, creators must comply with all YouTube policies, reside in an eligible country, and have an AdSense account linked to their YouTube account.
Once accepted into the program, creators gain access to resources, features, and programs YouTube provides. The final step is earning money through revenue sharing from ads on their content.
How much does YouTube pay in Kenya?
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views in Kenya? YouTube does not disclose how much it pays Kenyan content creators per 1,000 views. However, earnings for 1 million views on YouTube in Kenya are lower than what creators in the United States earn for the same number of views.
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A person is opening their YouTube app. Photo: @freestocks.org
Source: Facebook
How Kenyans earn money on YouTube
Creators in Kenya can make money on YouTube using different methods provided by the platform. These include:
Advertising revenue
The option allows YouTubers to earn revenue from Watch Page ads and Shorts Feed ads. You can earn from ads appearing before, during, after, and around your videos on the Watch Page. You can earn revenue when a YouTube Premium subscriber watches your content on the Watch Page.
Shopping
YouTube Shopping lets eligible content creators promote products from their stores or other brands across YouTube. With this option, viewers can browse and buy products from your store or products you tag from other brands through the YouTube Shopping affiliate program.
YouTube premium revenue
The YouTube Premium Revenue program allows creators to get part of a YouTube Premium subscriber’s subscription fee when they watch their content. The premium option is more of a secondary revenue stream for creators because it is in addition to what they already earn through ads.
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YouTube distributes the revenue from YouTube Premium membership fees to video creators based on how much members watch their content.
Channel memberships
Channel memberships are whereby viewers of a YouTuber’s channel join the channel through monthly payments and get members-only perks. These perks may include things like badges, emojis, and other goods.
The YouTube website is on a laptop screen. Photo: @Joshua Miranda
Source: UGC
Super Chats and Super Stickers
Super Chats and Super Stickers allow fans and content creators to connect during live streams and Premieres. With this option, fans pay to get their messages or animated images highlighted in live chat streams, allowing creators to make more money on the platform.
Super Thanks
Super Thanks earns creators revenue from viewers who want to express gratitude for their shorts and long-form videos. Fans pay to view a fun animation and get their message highlighted in your video or Short’s comments section.
Sponsored content and brand collaboration
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How much does YouTube pay in Kenya for sponsored content? Kenyan YouTubers can collaborate with brands for sponsored content. The process entails promoting a product or service within their videos.
Influencer marketing is flourishing in Kenya, and brands are willing to pay creators based on the creator’s subscriber count, engagement rate, and niche relevance. While the payment for sponsored content can vary, successful collaborations can be highly lucrative for Kenyan creators.
It is worth mentioning that each feature provided on YouTube has its set of eligibility requirements on top of subscriber and view count requirements. Also, while understanding the revenue streams is crucial, it is equally important to grasp the factors that influence earnings on YouTube in Kenya.
The key factors include the creator’s subscriber count, average watch time, viewer engagement, video quality, content niche, consistency, and search engine optimisation techniques. Therefore, content creators should focus on these factors to increase their chances of earning higher income.
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Does YouTube pay through M-PESA?
YouTube does not offer direct payments through M-PESA. The primary payment methods on Adsense are cheque, electronic funds transfer (EFT), and wire transfer. Therefore, YouTube creators in Kenya can withdraw their earnings to their local bank or digital wallet.
Alternatively, Kenyan YouTubers can open a bank account in a country that YouTube does support, such as the United States. Once they have a bank account, they can link it to their YouTube account and start receiving payments directly to their bank account.
A woman is holding a pencil and notebook while vlogging. Photo: @Mikhail Nilov
Source: UGC
Does YouTube pay based on subscribers?
YouTube does not directly pay creators based on the number of subscribers they have. Instead, YouTube pays creators through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which allows eligible creators to monetise their videos through various means such as ads, channel memberships, merchandise, and YouTube Premium revenue.
While having many subscribers can contribute to a creator’s overall revenue potential, the actual earnings are determined by various factors, including views, engagement, and ad performance.
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Who is the highest-paid YouTuber in Kenya?
Data for the highest-paid YouTuber in Kenya is not available on public domains. Many channels with millions of subscribers do not disclose the information. However, most content creators generate significant income through engaging content and high viewership on the platform.
Final word
So, how much does YouTube pay in Kenya? It is not easy to tell how much YouTube pays in Kenya. YouTubers can have different sources of income on the platform. However, Kenyan YouTubers have hinted that the platform pays between KES 100 and KES 200 for 1,000 views. Also, YouTubers in Kenya receive KES 100,000 for 1 million views.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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Tuko.co.ke published an article about DStv packages and their channels in Kenya. DStv broadcast satellite service offers over 175 channels for you to view. Each DStv plan includes audio channels, and the available channels are determined by the subscription.
DStv subscription rates vary according to the DStv plan you have chosen. The cheapest plan, DStv Lite, costs Ksh 650 per month, and the most costly, DStv Premium, costs Ksh 9,900 monthly.
Source: TUKO.co.ke