YouTube users are no longer dependent on ad revenue – this is how others are changing

YouTube has become the biggest platform in the world, providing many opportunities for creators to make money. Back in June, the company report that its manufacturing environment added $55 billion to the US GDP and created more than 490,000 full-time jobs.

However, many YouTubers have reduced their reliance on advertising and brand marketing. There are several reasons for this change. First, advertising costs can be unpredictable. With YouTube constantly changing its policies, some creators struggle to protect their video ads, which can affect their earnings. They have also realized that the income from these streams can be unpredictable.

Realizing the instability of platform-dependent income, many YouTubers are no longer producers themselves. They are integrated media companies with similar businesses, including product lines, brick-and-mortar businesses, and the kind of consumer that can outlast algorithmic changes and policy changes.

In some cases, these side businesses are growing faster and more consistently than their YouTube counterparts.

MrBeast

Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, who has 442 million subscribers, is not one of the creators of the platform – he is a very aggressive businessman.

In November 2025, for example, The Times report that the YouTuber is set to open a theme park in Saudi Arabia, with tours inspired by his videos. Among other things, there will be a game where six players stand on trap doors and must press the button when it lights up or falls.

MrBeast is also starting a mobile phone service. They are planning to establish a mobile operator network (MVNO), which may involve partnering with one of the major carriers, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.

In addition, a YouTuber was seen posting the identity of a mobile app that offers banking, financial advice, and crypto exchange services. In February 2026, MrBeast announced get Stepa banking app aimed at Gen Z users.

But there is more. What started as a grocery store in 2018 – ShopMrBeast – has exploded into a big business, including its three-year-old brand, Feastables.

Feastables’ first product was the “MrBeast Bar,” a repurposed chocolate bar $10 million on sale within the first 72 hours, selling more than 1 million bars at launch. As of today, Festables is more profitable than its YouTube content and its “Beast Games” series on Prime Video. In 2024, Entertainment was created approx $250 million in revenue and profits of over $20 million, while its media business lost nearly $80 million.

Other businesses include his Lunchly packaged food (created by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI), toy line MrBeast Lab, Mr. Beast Burgerand analytics platform Viewstats. He though he tried to Buy US TikTok services by joining the American Investor Consortium, a group of investors led by Employer.com founder Jesse Tinsley.

Emma Chamberlain

Emma Chamberlainwho rose to fame as a young vlogger in 2016, now has over 12 million subscribers and has found success in the beverage industry.

He launched his own coffee brand, Chamberlain Coffee, in 2019, which offers a variety of products, including cold brew, coffee beans, ground and whole beans, as well as tea and matcha. In particular, some YouTubers have followed suit, such as Jacksepticeye and its brand of Top of the Mornin’ Coffee and Philip DeFranco and Wake & Make Coffee.

In 2023, Chamberlain Coffee had an important year, launching ready to drink canned lattes and up to about $20 million in revenue, according to Forbes. The brand has recently grown significantly, opening his first place in January. Previously, it was available online and in stores like Target, Sprouts, and Walmart.

Although Chamberlain Coffee faced some challenges in 2024 due to supplier issues, it is expected to rebound, with revenue growth of more than 50% by 2025, to $33 million, according to Business Insider. The brand also aims to make a profit by 2026.

Logan Paul

Logan Paul (23.6 million subscribers) is now known for his wrestling work but he has already been known for many controversies, such as the infamous 2017 video and it is said to be a scam NFT projectCryptoZoo.

He also gained attention through his energy drink brand, Prime, which went viral in 2022. The brand, founded by YouTuber KSI, surpassed. $1.2 billion in sales in 2023, the number will exceed what most producers earn from viewing, advertising, and brand marketing. However, it has since faced declining sales, regulatory scrutiny over caffeine content, and lawsuits from businesses. Sales are concentrated mainly in the UK, where costs are down by about 70% from 2023 to 2024.

Another project of his, Maverick Apparel, was created in the middle $30 million and $40 million in 2020.

His brother, Jake Paul, is also involved in various projects, including co-founding Anti Fund, which has previously invested in OpenAI, Anduril, Ramp, and Cognition, among others. Little Paul also has a personal care line, called W, and a mobile betting platform called Betr.

Ryan’s world

Ryan’s worldhosted by 13-year-old Ryan Kaji, is another popular YouTuber with an incredible following. Ryan gained popularity for his playful commentary and unboxing videos, which have attracted an estimated 40 million young viewers.

In addition to his success on YouTube, Kaji has developed his brand through toys and clothing that are sold in major retail chains and are said to be manufactured. more than $250 million on income in 2020. Kaji and his family have been involved in various projects, including starting a TV program and a program that provides children-friendly education.

Rosanna Pansino

Rosanna Pansino is a popular YouTube baker known for her cooking tutorials and healthy recipes. With 14.8 million subscribers, she became famous for her recipes inspired by pop culture, sports, and movies.

Beyond YouTube, Pansino has released several well-received cookbooks, expanding his Nerdy Nummies brand. They also sell cookware to several retailers, such as Amazon.

Some YouTubers have ventured into cooking and nutrition as ways to make money. A well-known example is chef and author Andrew Rea, better known as Babish, who founded his own Babish Cookware brand in 2021, as well as two comedians Rhett & Link, who sell MishMash Cereal.

Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan rose to fame in 2007 with his makeup tutorials, being one of the first people to decorate the coins he wrote. In addition to his successful YouTube career, he also launched a beautiful subscription service Ipsywhich has become very popular. Phan also has her own cosmetics line, EM Cosmetics.

Huda Kattan

Huda Kattan launched the world-renowned beauty brand Huda Beauty in 2013. She sold a minority stake to private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners in 2017 but bought it back in June after corporate pressure to bring in top management clashed with her vision of a fast-moving brand, which she says she brings. hundreds of millions of dollars in sales every year.

Many sponsors have made their own jewelry. Other popular makeup brands founded by YouTube influencers include Jeffree Star Cosmetics and Tati Beauty.