If you’re wondering what types of YouTube videos make the most money, you’re not alone. It’s a smart question—but one with a layered answer. That’s because different videos attract different kinds of traffic, and not all traffic leads to the same kind of revenue.
I manage over 60 YouTube channels, many of which generate seven and even eight figures annually. So in this post, I’ll take you behind the scenes of a few real examples to show how different content strategies can lead to different types of earnings.
Case Study 1: Loral Langemeier – The Millionaire Maker
- Over 112,000 views in 28 days
- 56.8% of those views came from YouTube Shorts
- But Shorts generate very little revenue
- Her long-form videos got over 8,000 views from YouTube Search alone
That search traffic is gold for lead generation. While the ad revenue might seem small, those views drive high-quality leads who often become paying customers.
Case Study 2: Noelle Randall – Entrepreneur & Real Estate Coach
Video A: “Seven Secrets Your Bank Doesn’t Want You to Know”
- 91,000 views in 102 days
- Nearly $11,000 in ad revenue
- Driven by browse and suggested traffic
Video B: “How to Become a Real Estate Agent”
- 2,200 views in 294 days
- Only $69 in ad revenue
- Likely driven by search traffic
While Video A crushed it in ad revenue, Video B may have brought in more customers. Why? Because it targeted a specific search query from people who are ready to take action.
Why Search Traffic Matters
If someone types a question into YouTube or Google—like “how to improve productivity on a construction site”—and your video answers it, you’ve just earned their attention and trust.
That’s the power of search-driven content. It’s about more than just views—it’s about converting viewers into leads and customers.
Marketing, Conversion & Nurture: The 3 Types of YouTube Videos
When we design YouTube strategies, we break videos into three categories:
- Marketing Videos – Reach new people who’ve never heard of you (via search).
- Conversion Videos – Turn interested viewers into leads or customers.
- Nurture Videos – Serve your existing subscribers with helpful, value-driven content.
For example, MrBeast is a master of nurture content. His audience is massive and loyal, so every upload is mainly for his subscribers. But if you’re a business owner trying to generate leads, your videos should focus on marketing to new audiences through searchable content.
So, What Type of Video Makes the Most Money?
It depends on your business model:
- Want to earn ad revenue?
Focus on browse and suggested traffic. Create videos with viral potential. - Want to grow your business and generate leads?
Focus on searchable content that answers real questions your audience is asking.
Want to See the Numbers?
Now that you understand the strategies, check out this video where I break down exactly how much YouTube paid me for 1,000 views across several channels. Watch it here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tb7IzgPo0Q
