YouTube
Since it launched in 2005, YouTube has become the de facto launchpad for the next generation of internet celebrities.
It's no secret that YouTube's biggest stars are using sponsored videos and advertising to make a living on the platform in addition to making a name for themselves.
Over the past few years, some of them have even snagged big-time shows from services like Netflix or YouTube Red, the company's subscription tier.
But who on YouTube is getting paid the most?
Forbes recently published its look at which YouTube stars made the most money in 2017. The publication based its rankings on raw estimates of pretax earnings.
Here they are:
Maya Kosoff contributed to an earlier version of this post.
No. 10: Lilly Singh — $10.5 millionIISuperwomanII/YouTubeIncome: $10.5 million
Lilly Singh produces comedy sketches, music videos, and other media on her one-woman YouTube channel, "Superwoman," where she has a rabid fan base of over 12.7 million followers. Singh has also released a feature film, called "Trip to Island Unicorn," for YouTube Red, the company's premium service.
No. 8 (tie): Ryan ToysReview — $11 millionYouTube/RyanToysreview
Income: $11 million
Likely the envy of elementary school kids worldwide, the 6-year-old Ryan of YouTube's Ryan ToysReview makes millions for his family by opening and reviewing new toys. The family-run channel has over 10 million followers.
No. 8 (tie): Smosh — $11 millionBusienss Insider/Michael Seto
Income: $11 million
Smosh, started by comedy duo Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla, was one of the first YouTube sensations, becoming well known for the duo's slapstick comedy videos that parodied video games and pop culture.
Anthony Padilla left the Smosh channel in June 2017 to create his own solo YouTube account, which now has over 2 million followers.
No. 7: Jake Paul — $11.5 millionJake Paul/YouTube
Income: $11.5 million
Jake Paul started out as a personality on the now-defunct Vine, creating comedic shorts with his older brother, Logan Paul (the fourth-highest earner on this list). Jake Paul now posts comedy videos, original music, and other material on his personal YouTube account, which has over 12 million followers. He's also become something of a villain in pop culture.
No. 6: Felix Kjellberg (PewDiePie) — $12 millionYouTube/Screenshot
Income: $12 million
Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg is a boisterous Swedish video game commentator whose videos feature him playing various video games, while a box in the top corner of the screen shows his reactions to what's happening. His YouTube account has over 58 million followers.
Kjellberg came into a negative spotlight earlier this year after a Wall Street Journal report described anti-Semitic messages in his videos, leading Disney and YouTube to cut direct business ties with him (though he hasn't been barred from YouTube).
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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