YouTube Analytics: Top-Earning Content by Format as a Guide for Creators?

Optimizing Your Strategy with New Revenue Insights

YouTube has introduced a new analytics card designed to give creators a clearer picture of where their income is originating. The “Top-Earning Content” card, located under the “Format” section, provides a detailed breakdown of the highest-earning content categorized by specific formats: long-form videos, Shorts, and live streams.

While some users may have seen similar data previously, this feature is now being rolled out to all creators within the Revenue tab of YouTube Analytics. By isolating earnings by format, YouTube is providing a more granular view of monetization performance than a general revenue overview.

The Strategic Value of Format-Based Insights

For creators who employ a mixed content strategy—meaning they regularly publish a combination of traditional videos, short-form vertical clips, and live broadcasts—this tool is particularly valuable. Not all formats are monetized equally, and the effort required to produce a high-quality long-form video differs significantly from that of a Short or a livestream.

By utilizing the “Top-Earning Content” card, creators can perform a more accurate cost-benefit analysis. Instead of looking at total revenue, you can identify which specific format is the most lucrative for your particular audience. This allows for data-driven adjustments to your production schedule; for example, if live streams are generating a disproportionate amount of revenue compared to the time invested, you might choose to increase your streaming frequency while maintaining a baseline of other content.

Mobile Integration and Accessibility

To ensure that creators can monitor these metrics on the go, this functionality is also being made available in the YouTube Mobile Studio app. This integration means that performance tracking is no longer tethered to a desktop environment, allowing for real-time strategic pivots based on current earning trends.

Expanding the Creator Toolkit: YouTube Create and Audio Cleanup

Beyond analytics, YouTube is expanding the reach of its dedicated editing software. The YouTube Create app is currently being launched in additional countries to broaden its global availability. While the app was already available in Germany, this expansion allows more creators to access a streamlined mobile editing workflow.

A notable update within the YouTube Create app is the introduction of an audio cleanup tool. High-quality audio is often one of the biggest hurdles for mobile creators who may not have access to professional recording environments or external hardware like Audacity. An integrated cleanup tool aims to reduce background noise and improve voice clarity directly within the app, simplifying the post-production process before a video is uploaded.

Exploring the Potential of Vertical Live Streaming

Another significant shift in content delivery is the rise of Vertical Live streaming. As mobile consumption continues to dominate, the ability to stream in a vertical format allows creators to meet viewers where they are, providing a full-screen experience on smartphones without requiring the viewer to rotate their device.

For creators currently testing this feature, several strategic questions arise regarding audience engagement and technical execution:

• Audience Reaction: Does a vertical format lead to higher retention or more active participation in the chat compared to traditional horizontal streams?
• Simultaneous Streaming: Is it feasible to stream both vertical and horizontal formats simultaneously to capture different segments of the audience?
• Technical Workflow: How does the transition to vertical streaming affect the setup, particularly for those using software like OBS or other streaming tools?

As these features roll out and become more integrated into the YouTube ecosystem, the ability to analyze revenue by format will be essential in determining which of these new delivery methods—whether it be Vertical Live or Shorts—actually contributes most effectively to a creator’s bottom line.

Original transcript

Transcript

There’s a new analytics card: “Top-Earning Content” under “Format”. Here, it breaks down the highest-earning content by formats like videos, shorts, and live streams. I’m sure I’ve seen this feature before, but now it’s being shown to everyone in the Revenue tab of your YouTube Analytics. There’s a new card called “Content Performance” that lists the top-earning content in shorts, videos, and live streams. This can be especially useful for creators with mixed content to see what’s most lucrative and adjust their strategy accordingly.

This feature will also be available in the YouTube Mobile Studio app. Additionally, the YouTube Create app is being launched in more countries; Germany was already available. I’ve linked the list of new launch countries in the video description. There was also an update with an audio cleanup tool for the Create app, which I haven’t tried yet. I’d love to read about your experiences with it in the comments.

Let’s talk about Vertical Live! I’ve been testing it for a few days. Have you tried it out? What were your first impressions? Did you stream both vertical and horizontal simultaneously? How did your audience react? Were there any issues? Let’s discuss and share our experiences!

Until next week, stay healthy!

Confused about how to optimize your content strategy? The new 'Top Earning Content' analytics card breaks down revenue by format. Check out our Creator Services for more insights and expert advice on maximizing your YouTube earnings.