The honest answer to “how much does it pay?”
We read the primary source, label the scope, and show what a method actually pays — even when the honest answer is less than you’d hope.
The whole curve
Most creators earn almost nothing. A few earn a lot.
Illustrative — the shape of the distribution, not exact counts.
Every figure carries its source and its scope:
Published factEstimateTools, not just articles
Run your own numbers
Interactive calculators that answer “so what would I make?” — each returns a range, never a single promise, and shows its math.
YouTube Earnings Calculator
Monthly views × RPM-by-niche → an estimated ad-revenue range. Pairs with the RPM-by-niche guide.
Try it →
TikTok Shop Commission Calculator
Enter your monthly sales and category; get an estimated commission range with the (sales − refunds) × rate math shown.
Try it →
Print-on-Demand Profit Calculator
Etsy, Amazon Merch, or Redbubble — pick your platform and see what you actually keep. Built on each one’s published rates.
Try it →The three questions we track