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YouTube has announced that it paid over $8 billion to the music industry between July 2024 and July 2025, marking a record-breaking year for the platform. The payout highlights the growing strength of YouTube’s ad and subscription revenue model, which continues to drive the company’s expansion in the music business.
“YouTube’s twin engine of ads and subscriptions is firing on all cylinders,” said Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s Global Head of Music. “This number represents meaningful, sustained progress toward building a long-term home for every artist, songwriter, and publisher.” Cohen shared the milestone during Billboard Latin Music Week on Wednesday, before the official announcement on Thursday.
The $8 billion figure marks a significant jump from previous years. YouTube reported $6 billion in payouts between July 2021 and June 2022 and $4 billion the year before that. The company’s steady climb underscores its growing impact on the global music economy and its competition with streaming giants like Spotify.
Earlier this year, Spotify revealed that it paid $10 billion to the music industry in 2024, up from $9 billion in 2023. However, neither company’s figures reflect direct artist earnings, as these payments also include shares for labels, publishers, and songwriters.
YouTube credited its momentum to a combined ad-supported and subscription-based system. The company now boasts over 125 million Music and Premium subscribers worldwide, including users on free trials. In addition, more than two billion logged-in viewers watch music videos on the platform every month, reinforcing YouTube’s dominance as a global hub for music discovery and fandom.
“As YouTube’s global footprint grows, so does the potential for artists and songwriters to build lasting careers,” the company noted in a blog post.
YouTube currently operates in over 100 countries and supports 80 languages, making it one of the most accessible platforms for creators worldwide. Last month, during its Made on YouTube event, the company also revealed that it has paid more than $100 billion to creators, artists, and media companies over the past four years.
