YouTube ad revenue growth slows as platform adds $60 bn to US GDP, 540k jobs

A new WARC Media study finds that YouTube generated about $40.4 billion in advertising revenue in 2025, but year‑on‑year growth slowed to 11.7%, down from 14.7% the previous year, and is projected to fall to around 7% through 2027. The platform faces increasing competition for performance ad dollars from TikTok and Netflix’s ad‑supported tier.

YouTube’s 2025 Impact Report shows the creator ecosystem contributed more than $60 billion to U.S. gross domestic product and supported over 540,000 full‑time‑equivalent jobs, up from $55 billion and 490,000 jobs in 2024. The report also notes a 7% rise in channels earning six‑figure revenues year over year. Together, the data highlights a decelerating ad revenue trajectory globally while the platform’s economic footprint in the United States continues to expand.