YouTube has announced that it paid $8 billion to the global music industry in 2025, marking a major increase from previous years. The payout includes money from ads, YouTube Premium subscriptions, and Shorts revenue sharing, making YouTube one of the biggest contributors to music creators worldwide.
The platform said it is now the second-largest source of revenue for the global music industry after Spotify. The rise in payouts underscores the increasing influence of music content on YouTube, driven by both long-form videos and the growing popularity of YouTube Shorts.
YouTube’s Growing Role in the Music Business
According to YouTube, the $8 billion figure includes revenue shared with record labels, publishers, and independent artists. The company’s AI-driven recommendation system and music discovery features have helped artists reach a larger global audience.
YouTube Music and YouTube Premium subscriptions have also experienced sharp growth in 2025, contributing to the rising earnings. Shorts, the platform’s short-video feature, has become a new avenue for music promotion — with millions of creators using trending songs in short-form content.
Google’s Focus on Creator Economy
YouTube’s parent company, Google, emphasised its focus on supporting the creator economy, stating that over $50 billion has been paid to creators, artists, and media companies over the past three years.
With competition from TikTok and Spotify intensifying, YouTube aims to strengthen its position as the top platform for music discovery and monetisation.
Industry Reaction
Music industry executives have welcomed the news, calling YouTube an essential partner in the digital music ecosystem. However, some artists have continued to push for fairer royalty models and transparent revenue-sharing terms.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Paid in 2025 | $8 Billion |
| Recipients | Record labels, artists, publishers |
| Revenue Sources | Ads, YouTube Premium, YouTube Shorts |
| Rank in Global Music Revenue | Second after Spotify |
| Parent Company | |
| Purpose | Support creators and music industry growth |
| Yearly Trend | Increased payouts year-over-year |
| New Growth Driver | YouTube Shorts and AI-driven discovery |
