As creators and businesses look to monetize their online content, choosing the right platform becomes crucial. YouTube and Facebook are two of the biggest players in the social media world, and each offers unique ways to make money. But which one is better for monetization? In this post, we’ll compare YouTube and Facebook based on factors like ad revenue, audience reach, content type, and ease of monetization to help you decide which platform suits your goals best.
1. Monetization Programs and Requirements
YouTube Monetization
YouTube’s Partner Program (YPP) is well-known for providing creators with consistent ad revenue. However, meeting the eligibility requirements can be challenging:
- Eligibility Requirements: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million public Shorts views over the past 90 days.
- Ad Revenue: YouTube shares 55% of ad revenue with creators, allowing for steady earnings if your content consistently gets views.
- Super Chat, Memberships, and Merch Shelf: Additional monetization options include Super Chat and Super Stickers during live streams, channel memberships, and a merch shelf for eligible channels.
Pros: Reliable ad revenue, several monetization options, access to global audiences. Cons: High eligibility threshold, requires consistent engagement to maintain income.
Facebook Monetization
Facebook offers multiple ways to earn money through its monetization program called Facebook for Creators, which includes In-Stream Ads, Fan Subscriptions, and the Facebook Stars program:
- Eligibility Requirements: 10,000 followers and either 600,000 total minutes viewed in the last 60 days or five active videos.
- In-Stream Ads: Creators can run ads within videos, similar to YouTube, with a 55% revenue share for creators.
- Fan Subscriptions and Stars: Similar to Super Chat, viewers can support creators with Stars during live streams, and Fan Subscriptions offer monthly support options for creators.
Pros: Multiple monetization avenues, ability to earn from live streams, lower watch-time requirements. Cons: Higher follower threshold, ads are limited to longer-form content.
2. Ad Revenue Potential and CPM Rates
When it comes to ad revenue, YouTube often has a higher CPM (cost per thousand impressions) rate than Facebook. This is partly due to the more in-depth data YouTube gathers on user behavior, which allows advertisers to target viewers more effectively.
- YouTube CPM: Average CPM ranges between $2–$15, depending on the type of content, audience location, and advertiser competition.
- Facebook CPM: CPM tends to be lower on Facebook, often ranging between $1–$5 for video content. However, Facebook compensates for lower CPM rates by offering monetization through live videos and engaging ad placements across different content formats.
Verdict: YouTube generally has higher CPM rates, making it more profitable per view for many creators.
3. Audience Reach and Content Discoverability
Both platforms have massive audiences, but the way content is discovered and engaged with is different.
YouTube Audience Reach
YouTube is essentially a video search engine, and content on YouTube has a longer lifespan than on most social platforms. Videos can continue to gain views over months or even years as they show up in search results and recommended feeds.
- Evergreen Content: YouTube is excellent for “evergreen” content, where videos can generate passive income for months.
- Search-Friendly: Optimizing content with SEO can increase a video’s chances of appearing in search results and related video feeds.
Facebook Audience Reach
Facebook’s content discovery tends to be more short-lived as the platform emphasizes real-time engagement and frequent content updates.
- Short-Term Engagement: Facebook videos often get a spike in views shortly after posting but don’t necessarily enjoy sustained growth.
- Shareability: Facebook content is highly shareable within its social ecosystem, which can lead to viral moments, especially for short and engaging videos.
Verdict: YouTube wins for longer-term viewership, while Facebook is better suited for short-term, high-engagement content.
4. Content Type and Format
Your content type and format also play a significant role in choosing a platform.
YouTube Content Formats
YouTube is a dedicated video-sharing platform with an audience that’s used to watching videos of all lengths. From long-form tutorials to short skits, YouTube supports diverse content styles:
- Long-Form: Tutorials, vlogs, reviews, and explainers are all popular on YouTube.
- YouTube Shorts: Competing with TikTok, YouTube Shorts offers creators a way to monetize short-form videos (under 60 seconds).
- Best for Deep Engagement: With longer average watch times, YouTube is ideal for creators who produce content that requires more in-depth storytelling.
Facebook Content Formats
Facebook offers more flexibility for creators who want to experiment with different media types beyond video.
- Short-Form: Short videos and live streaming perform well on Facebook, especially with native features like Facebook Stories and Reels.
- Interactive Content: The Stars program and live interaction options let creators engage more actively with their fans, ideal for live events, gaming, and live tutorials.
- Best for Viral Content: Content that quickly captures attention, like short-form videos or live events, performs well on Facebook due to its shareable nature.
Verdict: Choose YouTube for detailed, long-form content and Facebook for shareable, interactive, and short-form content.
5. Audience Engagement and Community Building
Audience engagement and loyalty can lead to long-term profitability on both platforms.
- YouTube: The comments section, community tab, and longer content provide more opportunities for meaningful engagement. YouTube subscribers tend to be more loyal, and they’re more likely to return to a creator’s channel for new content.
- Facebook: Facebook’s engagement is driven by likes, shares, and reactions, which encourage more viral content but may lead to less loyalty and repeat viewership. However, Facebook Groups provide a way to build a more personal community.
Verdict: YouTube is generally better for building long-term audiences, while Facebook excels in immediate, viral engagement.
6. Platform Stability and Algorithm Changes
Finally, consider the stability of each platform’s monetization program.
- YouTube: The YouTube Partner Program has been established for years, making it a more stable choice for those who want consistent ad revenue. YouTube is also less likely to remove monetization, provided you follow community guidelines.
- Facebook: Facebook’s monetization options have evolved quickly in recent years. However, Facebook’s algorithm favors content that keeps people on the platform, meaning creators sometimes struggle to reach their full audience without paying for ads.
Verdict: YouTube is generally more stable and predictable, while Facebook can be volatile but rewarding for those who can adapt to rapid changes.
Conclusion: Which Platform is Better?
Both YouTube and Facebook offer lucrative opportunities for monetization, but the best choice depends on your content, audience, and goals.
- Choose YouTube if you produce longer-form content and want steady, long-term monetization through ad revenue and other membership options.
- Choose Facebook if your content is short, shareable, and suited to live interaction with audiences, as Facebook offers great monetization options for short-term, high-engagement content.
Ultimately, many creators and brands find success by using both platforms strategically. YouTube can serve as a primary income source, while Facebook can complement it with viral and live engagement opportunities. By leveraging each platform’s strengths, creators can maximize both reach and revenue potential.
