YouTube Revenue Reaches 60 Billion Dollars as Platform Pushes Premium Subscriptions

YouTube has reported annual revenues of $60 billion, cementing its position as one of the most dominant digital platforms globally. The figure underscores the video-sharing service’s ability to monetise its vast user base through advertising and subscription offerings.

Recent quarterly advertising revenue came in at $11.38 billion, slightly below Wall Street expectations. However, this shortfall was offset by strong growth in YouTube Premium, the platform’s subscription service that removes advertisements from videos and music streaming.

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai described the results as part of a “fantastic year” for the parent company, noting that paid subscriptions across all Google consumer services exceeded 325 million in 2025. The company has not disclosed YouTube’s specific subscriber count, but executives highlighted “strong traction” in the premium tier.

The platform has introduced new pricing strategies to broaden its subscriber base, including lower-cost variants of YouTube TV and Premium. Additionally, certain features such as background video playback on mobile devices are now restricted to Premium members, creating additional incentives for users to upgrade.

YouTube Shorts, the platform’s response to short-form video competitors, continues to gain momentum with over 200 billion daily views. Industry analysts suggest this format, combined with YouTube’s established infrastructure, positions the service well against rivals in the rapidly evolving digital video market.

Market research indicates that YouTube maintains an exceptional reach, with over 70 per cent of international consumers using the platform weekly and more than 50 per cent engaging daily. This scale allows the company to leverage multiple revenue streams effectively, from traditional advertising to subscription models.

The diversification strategy appears to be paying dividends as YouTube navigates increasing competition in both long-form and short-form video content. The platform’s ability to convert its massive user base into paying subscribers will likely determine its trajectory in an increasingly crowded digital entertainment landscape.