Since YouTube was Launched in 2005, influencers like MrBeast and PewDiePie have made over $50 million annually. YouTube was the only channel video creators could upload their long-form videos to make money.
However, things changed in 2018 when TikTok was launched. The platform is the result of the app Music.ly merging with ByteDance. The platform’s popularity surged during the pandemic as people embraced a different video-based platform.
YouTube vs. TikTok comparisons dominated online and offline conversations. And if you are an aspiring influencer, you may ask, between TikTok and YouTube, which one is better for you?
Let’s solve this puzzle by discussing the difference between TikTok and YouTube. We will also highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each platform for influencers.
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What Is TikTok?
TikTok is a social media platform that allows you to create and post short-form videos. The app has a free in-built video editor that you can use to add stickers, filters, and text on the spoken word for 15 seconds.
Most influencers choose TikTok because they can quickly and easily create a real connection with the people who follow them or watch their videos. The more people feel connected to you, the more likely they trust you.
With over a billion monthly users, it is probably the most downloaded app in 2022.
What Is YouTube?
YouTube is a video-sharing platform launched in 2005, with over 2.1 billion people actively using it every month. Before TikTok was launched, YouTube was the primary way to share video content.
Many influencers use YouTube because they can share their creative art and gain more followers. With YouTube, you can create longer videos on any subject.
Differences between TikTok and YouTube Influencers Should Consider.
Choosing between TikTok and YouTube to advance your career as an influencer is a huge step. Although these platforms use video, they have unique differences that can help you reach your preferred target audience.
Let’s consider these differences.
1- Audience
TikTok targets the younger generation. Statistics show that 50% of ages 18 and 24 are on TikTok, and 17% of ages 12 and 17. As an influencer, if your target audience is the young generation, TikTok could be an ideal platform to create and publish relevant short content. ,
On the other hand, YouTube interest 95% of people between the ages of 18 and 29. Baby boomers also visit YouTube to learn or enjoy entertainment. So, an influencer targeting mix of young and mature people will do well on YouTube.
2- Average Content-Length
TikTok primarily deals in short-form video content. Your content should range from 15 to 60 seconds. As an influencer, you should keep it short and sweet. I guess the platform considers dwindling human attention span.
If you want to create longer videos, you can make a non-chronological series. This way, your followers can enjoy long-form videos on TikTok.
Additionally, you can utilize TikTok live, which allows you to connect to your audience in real-time.
The content length for YouTube is 11.7 minutes, with most people (49.3%) using their mobile devices to access videos on this platform. However, this percentage is expected to reduce as YouTube is now available on other devices like TV and desktop.
YouTube also allows influencers to create long-form content from 30 minutes to 5 hours. This makes it possible to do product reviews, create educative content, or go live.
Live streaming makes it possible to do webinars and surveys and conduct Q&A sessions with your target audience and subscribers.
Some YouTubers curate and share live streams such as the Olympics, gaming, and Superbowl. You can also publish a playlist, allowing your viewers to stream music and related content for hours.
3- Organic Traffic
Both platforms have high organic traffic, with TikTok garnering 318.2 million and YouTube leading at 646 billion. TikTok is still young but expected to grow as both young and old audiences embrace it.
As an influencer, having your content on YouTube means you can tap into the already established traffic.
4- Successful Niches
Content creators should know which niches thrive on which platforms. TikTok is popular with niches such as
- Comedy
- Dance
- Breakdown of stories
- Storytime
- Must-have products
- Makeup and fashion hacks
If your specialization and talent fall under these categories, TikTok could be the best platform to attract more followers and make money.
Content creators disseminate more digestible bite-sized content in memes, dance videos, lip sync, and educational content on TikTok.
As an influencer, you can seek out small and big brands to create engaging and vital content for them.
A perfect example is Clique’s Black Honey Lipstic which sold out because TikTok videos help people know this brand. And because TikTok content is authentic and relatable, it can generate desired engagement and results.
On the other hand, YouTube niches are:
- How-tos
- Sporting events
- Lifehack and DIY videos
- Music and entertainment
- Evergreen Content
- Gaming and Vlogs
YouTube niches are topics that require long-form content. So, if your content falls in the categories above, YouTube will be the ideal place to market yourself.
Brands can collaborate with YouTubers to advance their products through sponsorship arrangements. If most of your target brands deal in products that are challenging to showcase in short formats, YouTube is the best platform.
How TikTokers And YouTubers Make Money
You create content on YouTube and TikTok because you want to make money. Fortunately, these platforms have built-in tools to help you monetize your content.
Let’s consider what you will find in each platform.
How YouTubers Make Money
YouTube generates billions of dollars monthly, and you can have a piece of this pie. However, you must first be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program, available for residents of 120 countries.
The qualification to join the program is over 1,000 subscribers and over 4,000 hours of watch time in one year.
Here is how you make money on YouTube:
1- Google AdSense ads
If you are a regular YouTuber user, you have seen adverts that run before or in the middle of a YouTube video. As an influencer, you decide where an ad should appear on your content, but YouTube decides which ad gets promoted.
YouTube pays you 51% of the generated ad revenue if your audience watches the advert. The average channel receives $18 per 1,000 ad views.
But you can also choose cost per click or cost per view (CPM), enabling you to earn a commission when the audience clicks the ad.
Location and niche also determine your earnings, with creators in the U.K., Canada, and the U.S., earning more than creators in other countries.
2- Channel Memberships
Do you have 1,000 subscribers and above? You can offer them members-only perks, where they pay a monthly recurring fee for exclusive content, custom emojis, and badges.
Channel memberships let your viewers join your channel through monthly payments and receive members-only perks, such as badges and other goods.
3- Merch Shelf
A merch shelf is an exciting perk that allows you to advertise and sell branded merchandise on your videos. However, using this perk requires that you have at least 1,000 subscribers.
4- YouTube Shorts Fund
The YouTube Shorts Fund is a $100M funds to award creators or influencers for their commitment to producing creative, original Shorts that satisfy the YouTube community.
Like TikTok, YouTube also has short videos. The platform pledged $100 million for people creating short-form content. This fund is available for those not of age to join YouTube.
How To Make Money On TikTok
As a TikToker, you can make money through the following means:
1- Creator Fund
TikTok pledged $1 billion for its top creators in three years. The amount you receive depends on the level of engagement your content generates and the number of views your video receives.
However, this fund is available in only six countries: the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Germany, France, and Spain. And even if you reside in these countries, you need over 10,000 followers and over 10,00 organic views in the last month.
Hootsuite estimates that TikTok is paying its creators between 2 and 4 cents for every 1000 views. This means that 1 million views could get you between $20 and $40.
2- TikTok Pulse
In June 2022, TikTok launched a new advertising revenue-sharing program that places brands’ adverts next to the top 4% of videos.
TikTok pulse gives influencers who created these videos to get a part of the advertising revenue. However, you should have at least 100,000 followers to be a member.
3- Paid Product Placements
You can also charge brands that want to place their products on your videos. The Paid Partnership label means videos made in collaboration with a brand or marketer.
4- Endorsements And Sponsorships
As an influencer, brands can approach you to advertise or sponsor their products in your videos for a handsome amount of money.
Unlike sponsorships, endorsements allow you to control the messaging and tone of the advert you use in your content.
5- Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing allows you can include a product description below your video and inform your audience about it.
If they purchase from the link, you earn a commission.
6- Opportunities Available For Influencers
Once you have acquired enough loyal followers, you can approach brands as an influencer, thus making you more money.
You can use TikTok Creator Marketplace or YouTube BrandCinnect to identify the ideal brand to work with.
Pros and Cons of YouTube
The table below shows the pros and cons of using YouTube as an influencer.
| Pros | Cons |
| You can generate advertising revenue from mid-stream ads. | It has limited creator tools, which means you edit videos with other software before publishing. |
| YouTube brings about 2 billion users monthly. | The platform has music limitations; you can only use copyright-free music. |
| Its measurable metrics allow you to know whether your content is performing. | It is crowded with many influencers; standing out may be challenging. |
Pros and Cons of TikTok
The table below shows the pros and cons of using TikTok as an influencer.
| Pros | Cons |
| Your content has a high chance of virality. | You have fewer ways to monetize your content. |
| It offers you sound and music choices. | Its performance metrics are less extensive. |
| It has built-in engagement tools for your audience. | Short watch time means your content should stand out and be interesting from start to end. |
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TikTok Vs. YouTube: which one wins?
Although TikTok is a new sensation with many youthful content creators, YouTube is still a force to reckon with for any influencer. We may not indicate which platform is ideal because influencers have different goals.
What is best for one creator may not be suitable for another. You can choose either TikTok or YouTube, depending on the type of content you want to produce and your goals.
Some influencers widen their net by using both platforms. If you can do so, go for it. These platforms will continue to evolve with changing trends, and we would like to see how the creator economy unfolds.
Which platform is better for you?