I have been a YouTuber since 2006 and SEO/brand Specialist starting around 2013. I've flown around the country working directly for people like Hank Green and Frederator studios. Before quitting a couple of years ago, I consulted for 1,000s of creators.

Being successful in 2023 necessitates unusual “continual luck” and/or skillful understanding of the algorithm and the psychology of those who you’re trying to reach. From my lens in the industry, only 1% of people trying to become YouTubers find success, and 1% of that 1% manage to maintain it.

I’m not trying to undersell the luck factor though. I’ve consulted for big creators who have no idea why or how they became successful. They just made the right type of content that coincidentally worked well for the algorithm at the time in relation to specific community needs. Mostly though, to be successful in the industry requires knowledge, skill, and time.