RPM (Revenue Per Mille)
The amount a Creator earns per 1,000 video views after YouTube's share is deducted. RPM is more relevant than CPM for understanding actual Creator income and CRT distributions.
Understanding RPM (Revenue Per Mille)
RPM, or Revenue Per Mille, measures how much a YouTube Creator earns for every 1,000 video views after YouTube has taken its platform share. Unlike CPM, which reflects the gross amount advertisers pay, RPM represents the net revenue that actually reaches the Creator. This makes RPM a more meaningful metric for Investors evaluating Channel Revenue Token (CRT) offerings on GigaStar Market.
YouTube typically retains 45% of ad revenue and passes 55% to the Creator. RPM accounts for this split, as well as revenue from all monetization sources including display ads, overlay ads, skippable and non-skippable video ads, and YouTube Premium revenue. This comprehensive view gives a clearer picture of a Creator's earning power.
RPM varies widely across content categories and Creator channels. Educational and finance-focused channels may see RPMs of $10 to $30 or higher, while entertainment and music channels might range from $1 to $5. These differences are driven by the underlying CPM rates advertisers are willing to pay for different audience demographics.
For CRT holders, RPM trends over time are particularly informative. A Creator with a stable or growing RPM may indicate consistent revenue generation, while a declining RPM could signal shifts in audience demographics, content strategy, or advertiser demand. However, past RPM performance is not indicative of future results.
Investors should consider RPM alongside other metrics such as total view counts, subscriber growth, and content upload frequency when performing due diligence on a CRT offering. RPM alone does not determine total revenue—a channel with a lower RPM but significantly higher view counts may generate more overall revenue than a high-RPM channel with fewer views.
Key Points to Remember
- RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is regulated by the SEC under Regulation Crowdfunding
- All investments carry risk — past performance doesn't guarantee future results
- Review all offering documents carefully before investing
Related Terms
Channel Revenue Token (CRT)
A security representing contractual rights to receive a share of a YouTube Creator's potential future revenue, offered through GigaStar's SEC-registered platform.
CPM (Cost Per Mille)
The amount advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions on a YouTube video. CPM is a key metric that influences how much revenue a Creator's channel generates from advertising.
Due Diligence
The research and analysis an Investor should perform before purchasing CRTs, including reviewing Form C, Creator metrics, and risk factors.
Monetization
The process of generating revenue from YouTube content through ads, memberships, Super Chat, and merchandise. A Creator's monetization status directly affects CRT distributions.
Revenue Share
A revenue share is the percentage of a YouTube Creator's revenue that is distributed Monthly to Investors who hold Channel Revenue Tokens (CRTs) purchased through GigaStar's platform.
YouTube Revenue
YouTube revenue is the income a Creator earns through the YouTube Partner Program from ads, memberships, Super Chat, and other monetization features, forming the basis for CRT distributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay back Investors?
You don't make direct payments to Investors. GigaStar handles all distribution processing. A percentage of your YouTube revenue is automatically shared with CRT holders as Monthly distributions. If your revenue decreases, distributions decrease proportionally—there is no fixed amount owed.
What happens after the revenue share term ends?
When the contractual term expires (e.g., after 3 or 5 years), distributions to CRT holders cease, and you no longer share YouTube revenue with those Investors. CRTs associated with that offering expire, and you retain 100% of your YouTube revenue going forward.
Is this a loan I have to repay?
No. A CRT offering is not a loan. Creators do not make fixed repayments to Investors. Instead, Investors receive Monthly distributions based on the Creator's actual YouTube revenue. If revenue declines, distributions decrease accordingly—there is no fixed repayment obligation.