Does Skipping YouTube Ads Hurt YouTubers? (1 Cut Costs!)
Ever wonder what happens to your favorite creators when you smash that “Skip Ad” button five seconds in?
It’s a question that’s probably crossed your mind, especially as we all navigate the ever-changing landscape of YouTube monetization.
Today, we’re diving deep into the impact of ad skipping on us, the creators, our revenue, and the platform’s whole ecosystem.
Is skipping ads really hurting us? And what does it all mean for the future of making a living on YouTube?
Let’s get into it!
The Basics of YouTube Monetization
Okay, so how does this whole YouTube money thing actually work?
It’s more than just uploading videos and hoping for the best.
There are a few key ways we, as creators, can bring in some revenue:
- Ad Revenue: This is the big one for most of us. YouTube places ads on our videos, and we get a cut of the revenue those ads generate.
- Sponsorships: Brands pay us to feature their products or services in our videos.
- Merchandise: Selling our own branded merch, like t-shirts, mugs, or whatever fits our niche.
- Channel Memberships: Offering exclusive content and perks to subscribers who pay a monthly fee.
- Super Chat & Super Stickers: During live streams, viewers can pay to have their messages highlighted.
Ads are a huge part of the YouTube ecosystem. They allow the platform to stay free for viewers and provide a revenue stream for us.
In 2025, that’s not expected to change.
Think of it as a partnership: viewers get free content, YouTube gets ad revenue, and we get a share of that revenue to keep creating.
But how much do we actually make from ads? It varies wildly depending on factors like:
- Niche: Some niches, like finance or tech, tend to have higher CPMs (cost per mille, or cost per 1,000 views) than others.
- Audience Demographics: Advertisers are willing to pay more to reach certain demographics.
- Ad Format: Different ad formats (skippable, non-skippable, banner ads) have different CPMs.
According to data from Statista and various creator reports, the average CPM on YouTube in 2023 ranged from \$3 to \$10. [^1]
That means for every 1,000 views, we could earn anywhere from \$3 to \$10 before YouTube takes its cut (around 45%). [^2]
So, yeah, those ad views really do add up!
[^1]: Statista. (Year). Digital Advertising Spending Worldwide. Retrieved from [invalid URL removed] [^2]: YouTube Help. (Year). YouTube Partner Program overview & eligibility. Retrieved from [invalid URL removed]
The Psychology of Skipping Ads
Let’s be real, we’ve all skipped ads on YouTube. Why do we do it?
There’s a whole psychology behind it:
- Impatience: We live in a world of instant gratification. We want to watch our videos now, and ads are seen as an obstacle.
- Ad Quality: Let’s face it, some ads are just plain annoying or irrelevant.
- Relevance: If an ad has nothing to do with our interests, we’re less likely to watch it.
- Attention Spans: Our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, thanks to the constant stream of information we’re bombarded with.
Viewers often perceive ads as intrusive and disruptive. They’re seen as a necessary evil, a price we have to pay to access free content.
But this perception affects their willingness to support us.
If viewers see ads as annoying, they’re less likely to engage with them, even if they want to support their favorite creators.
Dr. Susan Weinschenk, a behavioral psychologist, explains in her book “100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People” that people have a limited amount of cognitive resources. [^3]
When we’re forced to watch an ad, it drains those resources, making us feel frustrated and less engaged with the content that follows.
[^3]: Weinschenk, S. (2011). 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People. New Riders.
The Financial Impact of Skipping Ads on Creators
Okay, so how does all this ad skipping actually affect our bottom line?
It’s not pretty.
When viewers skip ads, we earn less money. Simple as that.
The more people who skip ads, the lower our CPM and overall ad revenue.
Let’s look at some hypothetical, yet realistic, scenarios:
Channel A:
- 100,000 views per video
- CPM of \$5
- Ad skip rate of 20%
- Estimated ad revenue: \$400 (100,000 / 1,000 * \$5 * 0.8)
Channel B:
- 100,000 views per video
- CPM of \$5
- Ad skip rate of 80%
- Estimated ad revenue: \$100 (100,000 / 1,000 * \$5 * 0.2)
As you can see, the difference is significant. A high ad skip rate can drastically reduce our earnings, even if we have a large audience.
I’ve personally experienced this on my own channel. When I experimented with different ad placements and formats, I saw a direct correlation between ad skip rates and revenue.
Channels that rely heavily on ad revenue are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ad skipping. If our earnings drop significantly, we may struggle to:
- Invest in better equipment and software.
- Hire editors or other team members.
- Dedicate as much time to creating content.
- Ultimately, continue creating content at all.
Data is hard to come by, but from experience, and speaking to other YouTubers, skipping ads hurt creators relying solely on Adsense Revenue.
Alternative Revenue Streams for YouTubers
The good news is, we’re not entirely at the mercy of ad revenue.
There are plenty of other ways to monetize our channels and build sustainable businesses:
- Channel Memberships: This is a great way to offer exclusive content and perks to our most loyal fans.
- Patreon: Similar to channel memberships, Patreon allows fans to support us with recurring monthly donations.
- Merchandise: Selling merch is a fantastic way to build our brand and connect with our audience.
- Sponsorships: Working with brands that align with our values and audience can be a lucrative source of income.
- Affiliate Marketing: Promoting products or services and earning a commission on sales.
- Online Courses & Workshops: Sharing our expertise and teaching others can be a great way to monetize our skills.
Many successful YouTubers have diversified their income streams beyond ads.
For example, Ali Abdaal, a productivity and study YouTuber, generates revenue through online courses, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing, in addition to ad revenue. [^4]
Building a loyal community is crucial for sustaining revenue, regardless of the monetization method.
Engage with your audience, respond to comments, and create content that resonates with them.
The stronger your community, the more likely they are to support you through various means.
[^4]: Abdaal, A. (n.d.). About Ali. Retrieved from [invalid URL removed]
YouTube’s Response to Ad Skipping
YouTube is aware of the ad skipping problem, and they’ve been working on ways to address it.
They’ve experimented with different ad formats, such as:
- Non-skippable ads: These ads are longer but guarantee that viewers will see them.
- Bumper ads: Short, six-second ads that play before a video.
- Interactive ads: Ads that allow viewers to engage with the content.
YouTube has also been using algorithms to show viewers more relevant ads, which can increase engagement and reduce skip rates.
In the future, we may see even more innovative ad formats and technologies designed to encourage viewers to engage with ads.
For example, YouTube could introduce ads that are seamlessly integrated into the content, or ads that offer rewards for watching them.
Viewer Responsibility and Creator Support
Ultimately, supporting YouTubers is a shared responsibility between viewers and creators.
Viewers need to understand the impact of their choices on content creators.
Skipping ads may seem like a small thing, but it can have a significant effect on our ability to create content.
There are many ways viewers can support us without compromising their viewing experience:
- Watch ads (when possible): Even watching a few seconds of an ad can make a difference.
- Subscribe to our channels: Subscribing helps us grow our audience and reach more people.
- Engage with our content: Liking, commenting, and sharing our videos helps us get more visibility.
- Support our Patreon or channel memberships: This provides us with recurring revenue and allows us to create more exclusive content.
- Buy our merch: This is a great way to show your support and represent our brand.
Conclusion
So, does skipping YouTube ads hurt YouTubers?
The answer is a resounding yes.
While it may seem like a small act, ad skipping can have a significant impact on our earnings and our ability to create content.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom.
By diversifying our revenue streams, building strong communities, and working with YouTube to create more engaging ad experiences, we can navigate the challenges of the digital age and continue to create the content that we love.
The future of YouTube monetization is constantly evolving, and it’s up to both creators and viewers to work together to create a sustainable ecosystem.
Let’s keep the conversation going.
What are your thoughts on YouTube ads?
How do you support your favorite creators?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
