Hey there! If you‘re wondering:
"How many YouTubers have 5 million subscribers in 2024?"
I‘m glad you asked! Reaching 5 million subscribers is a huge but exclusive YouTube milestone. Let me walk you through the numbers so you can appreciate how rare it is. Then we‘ll look at the income potential, awards, popular niches and more so you can understand the world of mega YouTubers.
Contents
- How Many YouTubers Reach 5 Million Subscribers? The Milestone, Revealed
- Lucrative Income Potential for 5 Million Subscriber Channels
- Awards and Milestones for Reaching 5 Million Subscribers
- Who Has 5 Million Subscribers on YouTube? Top Channels
- Getting Started on YouTube: Tips for Aspiring YouTubers
- In Closing: Achieving 5 Million Subscribers is a Rare Feat
How Many YouTubers Reach 5 Million Subscribers? The Milestone, Revealed
While YouTube doesn‘t share exact subscriber numbers, experts estimate around 11,760 channels have hit 5 million subscribers so far.
That figure comes from:
- Over 56,000 channels have over 1 million subscribers [1]
- An estimated 21% of 1M+ channels reach 5M subs [2]
- So 21% of 56,000 = 11,760
To put it into perspective, only 0.005% of YouTube‘s 2 billion+ channels have achieved this elite status!
Reaching 5 million subscribers is an incredible accomplishment. The number has rapidly grown from just ~2,900 channels with 5M+ subs back in 2014 [3].
YouTube has become more saturated, yet thousands of creators are still gaining monumental followings.
But how much can these top channels really earn? And what does YouTube give them for reaching such rare milestones? Let‘s explore!
Lucrative Income Potential for 5 Million Subscriber Channels
"How much money can YouTubers with 5 million subscribers make?"
Quite a bit! But earnings vary widely based on factors like:
- CPM rates (cost per 1,000 views)
- Number of views per video
- Upload frequency
- Sponsored content deals
Based on these factors, annual earnings from YouTube money (Google AdSense) alone can range from:
- Entry-level: $60,000 per year
- Average: $300,000 per year
- Top tier: Over $1 million per year
For example, a channel with 5 million subs and 50 million monthly views could earn around $150,000 annually.
But channels that secure sponsorships and brand deals can earn much more. A single sponsored video can bring in 5 to 6 figures!
Total annual income for elite YouTubers ranges from:
- Moderate success: $200,000-$500,000/year
- High success: $1-$3 million/year
- Top 0.1%: $5+ million/year
So YouTubers with engaged audiences of 5 million or more have immense monetization potential!
Now, let‘s look at the awards and features unlocked for reaching subscriber milestones.
Awards and Milestones for Reaching 5 Million Subscribers
As channels gain subscribers, YouTube sends them epic plaques and grants access to special features.
Here are the awards on the journey to 5 million:
The Silver Play Button – 100,000 Subscribers
Once you hit 100,000 subscribers, YouTube sends a Silver Play Button award! This slick plaque features a silver play button icon mounted in a silver frame.
channels with over 100,000 subscribers cnn typically earn around $2,500-$4,000/month from YouTube ad revenue alone [4].
Reaching 100,000 subs also lets you:
- Upload videos over 15 minutes long
- Live stream from your phone
- Add channel links and cards
This milestone validates you as a rising YouTube star!
The Gold Play Button – 1 Million Subscribers
The Gold Play Button arrives when you cross 1 million loyal subscribers! This award features a polished gold play button encased in a gold frame.
At 1 million subs, channels can make roughly $25,000-$40,000/month from YouTube ad revenue [4].
You also unlock features like:
- Community tab for exclusive posts
- Merchandise shelf to sell shirts/items
- Mobile live streaming
The Gold Play Button shows you‘ve made it to the big leagues!
So in summary:
- 100,000 subs = Silver Play Button and monetization access
- 1 million subs = Gold Play Button and expanded features
Once you get to 1 million, you‘re well on your way to the coveted 5 million sub mark!
Now let‘s look at some top channels who have reached 5 million subs and beyond.
Who Has 5 Million Subscribers on YouTube? Top Channels
Spanning genres from music to comedy, family vlogs to animations, thousands of channels have crossed 5 million subscribers.
Here are some top examples:
Gaming
Gaming is hugely popular on YouTube. Top gaming YouTubers with 5M+ subs include:
- PewDiePie – 114 million subs
- Markiplier – 32 million subs
- Jacksepticeye – 28 million subs
- VanossGaming– 25 million subs
They post let‘s plays, live streams, esports, animations, and comedy.
Sports
From wrestling to fitness these sports channels have grown big audiences:
- WWE – 79 million subs
- Dude Perfect – 57 million subs
- ESPN – 15 million subs
- TheSurfingViolinist – 5 million subs
They share matches, trick shots, highlights, and unique performances.
Music
Recording artists use YouTube to connect with fans. Musicians with 5M+ subs include:
- Justin Bieber – 60 million subs
- Marshmello – 45 million subs
- Ariana Grande – 49 million subs
- Shakira – 25 million subs
They promote new releases, behind the scenes looks, concerts and more.
Comedy
Funny YouTubers enthrall audiences with hilarious videos. For example:
- Smosh – 25 million subs
- JennaMarbles – 20 million subs
- CollegeHumor – 12 million subs
- Rclbeauty101 – 8 million subs
They do sketches, daily vlogs, satire, parody music, and more.
Family & Kids
Family vloggers and kid-friendly channels are hugely popular, like:
- Fun Toyz Collector – 27 million subs
- TFamily – 25 million subs
- ChuChu TV – 29 million subs
- Sandaroo Kids – 13 million subs
They do toy reviews, nursery rhymes, family pranks, stories and more.
As you can see, creators in all verticals – from music to comedy, sports to family content – can gain 5 million subscriber followings on YouTube.
Now let‘s get into how to start on that journey yourself.
Getting Started on YouTube: Tips for Aspiring YouTubers
I‘m sure you‘ve thought:
"What do I need to start a YouTube channel?"
The basics are simple:
- A camera (phones work!)
- Editing software (free options available)
- Creativity and commitment!
Here are my top tips:
Choose Your Niche
Think about your interests and talents. What does YouTube need more of? Here are popular genres to consider:
- Gaming
- Comedy
- Music
- How-To‘s & DIY
- Family & parenting
- Technology
- Beauty, makeup & fashion
- Sports
- Cooking & food
- Commentary on pop culture or news
Create content you‘re passionate about and good at. That passion will show.
Set Up Equipment
At minimum, you need:
- A smartphone camera
- Free editing software like DaVinci Resolve
- Good lighting
- A decent microphone – upgrade later as you can
Invest in better gear over time. Great options include:
- DSLR camera like Canon EOS Rebel
- Backdrop stand and green screen
- Ring light or soft box lighting
- Shotgun mic or condenser mic
Quality equipment will really level up your videos over time!
Create Searchable Content
Check out what people search for in your niche, then make videos optimized for those terms.
Do keyword research using Google Trends, YouTube Suggestions tool, and TubeBuddy.
Craft clickable titles and descriptions using popular keywords. This makes you discoverable!
Promote Your Content
Spread your videos on social media and interact with your audience. Share clips on:
- Snapchat
- TikTok
Engage with commenters and collaborate with others in your niche.
Analyze Your Performance
Use YouTube Analytics to see impressions, traffic sources, demographics and more.
See which videos perform best and optimize your strategy based on data.
Persist Through the Ups and Downs
It takes time and consistency to build an audience. Stick with it through thick and thin!
Set milestones like 100, then 1,000 subscribers. Celebrate wins and learn from mistakes.
With dedication, passion, quality, and some luck – you can join the 5 million subscriber club one day too!
So in summary, choose a niche you love, start creating valuable content, promote it consistently, and see where your channel can go. I hope these tips help you thrive on your YouTube journey.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
In Closing: Achieving 5 Million Subscribers is a Rare Feat
Reaching 5 million YouTube subscribers is an epic milestone accomplished by less than 0.005% of channels. It demonstrates an ability to create content that resonates with a massive global audience.
While earning potential, plaque awards, and unlocked features motivate top YouTubers – most are driven by a genuine passion for creating videos.
By pursuing their dreams on YouTube, the elite 5 million sub club get to turn their passions into full-time careers. They‘ve built devoted fanbases who love and support them.
For any aspiring YouTuber reading this – focus on enjoyment over fame. Improve your skills, express your creativity and see where that takes you.
Maybe one day I‘ll be congratulating you on joining the 5 million subscriber club! Believe in yourself.
