Some of the Richest YouTubers Are Unfortunately Also the Most Controversial
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YouTube is a surprisingly lucrative platform for those who know how to use it: the top earners on the video-sharing platform earn well into eight digits for their content. While the majority of the top 10 richest stars on YouTube are video game channels, dedicated to game play, gaming hacks, and gaming commentary, there are a handful that are more personality-based or review other products. It's also become a haven for stars migrating from other social media platforms, such as the now-defunct Vine. Every year, Forbes ranks the top 10 earners on YouTube — ahead, check out the major names who made the most recent list.
Logan Paul: $14.5 Million
The controversial YouTuber lost some ground in 2018 after filming a disturbing video showing a "suicide forest" in Japan. Even so, his legion of fans kept coming back for more of his prank and "comedy" videos.
PewDiePie: $15.5 Million
Another YouTuber surrounded by controversy — this time, for anti-Semitic content and becoming a meme among the far-right — the Swedish gamer remains the most-subscribed channel on YouTube, posting copious videos of himself playing video games and opining on other YouTube drama.
Jacksepticeye: $16 Million
Jacksepticeye, aka Irish gamer Seán McLoughlin, is a little more foul-mouthed than some other video game commentary channels. His videos are typically energy-filled reviews and commentary on gaming, with the occasional personal video thrown in.
VanossGaming: $17 Million
Evan Fong, a Canadian gamer, runs this channel, which mainly consists of him playing popular video games and compiling "funny" moments in gameplay as well.
Markiplier: $17.5 Million
Another video game channel, this one focuses on PlayStation 4 gameplay; Markiplier's channel also includes some personal and comedy-style videos.
Jeffree Star: $18 Million
Unlike most of the names on this list, Star isn't a gamer but a makeup artist and full-fledged beauty mogul, with a channel packed with product reviews and makeup tips, plus info about his own beauty brand.
DanTDM: $18.5 Million
Daniel Middleton, a British-based gamer, has a standard video game channel, but with a twist: most of his recent videos focus on just one game, Minecraft (although other games pop up as well).
Dude Perfect: $20 Million
Instead of featuring just one personality, this playful channel features a crew of five guys who collaborate on elaborate trick shots and clever setups.
Jake Paul: $21.5 Million
The younger Paul brother is the higher-earning and less controversial of the two, at least right now. His channel focuses on "pranks" and personal videos, plus the occasional music.
Ryan ToysReview: $22 Million
The highest-earning star on YouTube isn't even old enough to manage his own millions — he's only 7 years old! Ryan stars in a series of toy reviews and play videos that have racked up over 20 million subscribers.