Whether you refer to them as creators, influencers, streamers, or vloggers, these influential figures within the realm of social media are now the driving force behind the entertainment and advertising industries.
In the current year, the top 12 and others individuals recognized in Creator list leveraged their collective following of 2.6 billion people to generate an estimated $700 million in earnings. This marks a remarkable increase of over 20% compared to the $570 million earned in 2022.
They are not alone in this growth; in 2023, brands are projected to allocate an estimated $21 billion towards creator marketing, a significant surge from the mere $1.6 billion spent seven years ago, as reported by the social media research firm, Influencer Marketing Hub.
“Influencers enjoy a higher level of trust from their audiences compared to advertisements. They have the ability to quickly sell out products and even instigate events like flash mobs that can lead to the shutdown of major cities,” remarks Erin Lanuti, who serves as the Chief Innovation Officer at the prominent advertising powerhouse, Omnicom PR Group.
A comprehensive analysis to determine the Forbes ranking Top Creators of the world. This analysis involved scrutinizing data related to their estimated earnings, follower counts, engagement rates, and their entrepreneurial endeavors, with assistance from the creator marketing firm, Influential.
The outcome of this endeavor is a list featuring 12 individuals who harness their immense fan bases to redefine various aspects of the media, marketing, entertainment, and cultural landscape.
1. Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast
- Earnings: $82 million
- Total Followers: 312 million
- Average Engagement: 9.8%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
With a fan base exceeding 300 million, MrBeast’s following rivals the population of the United States. His influence and popularity are rooted in his meticulously crafted videos and daring feats, such as enduring a 50-hour survival challenge in Antarctica and constructing a Wonka chocolate factory.
This YouTube luminary, whose birth name is Jimmy Donaldson, has harnessed his substantial influence to amass a substantial fortune in digital advertising revenue, all while establishing a tangible empire. His brand portfolio includes Feastables snack bars, the MrBeast Burgers restaurant chain, and a sprawling merchandise line bearing his name.
2. Olajide Olatunji, Widely Recognized as KSI
- Earnings: $24 million
- Total Followers: 112 million
- Average Engagement: 6.5%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
KSI, originally known for his comedic reactions to FIFA video games on YouTube back in 2009, quickly amassed a vast following due to his unique sense of humor. Over the years, he has undergone a remarkable transformation, transitioning from comedian to a multifaceted artist.He ventured into the realms of rap and professional boxing, even releasing two singles in 2023.
Furthermore, he secured a multiyear distribution deal for his promotional company, Misfits Boxing. Notably, KSI is the prominent face behind Prime Hydration, sharing the spotlight with Logan Paul (who ranks #6 on the Top Creators list).
This sports drink brand has achieved the status of being the official beverage for FC Barcelona, UFC, and Arsenal in the current year. It’s worth mentioning that KSI has been at the center of various controversies related to his conduct in the boxing arena, the content he produces, and his use of offensive language.
However, he has consistently turned these controversies into opportunities for increased visibility, both online and in the boxing ring.
3. Jake Paul
- Earnings: $34 million
- Total Followers: 66 million
- Average Engagement: 1.6%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
The world of controversies is nothing new to Jake Paul, who originally gained fame on Vine and later became a prominent boxer. His YouTube antics, which range from impromptu tattoos and peculiar food challenges to submerging himself in Icy Hot, have garnered him a substantial fan base.
However, they have also stirred up their fair share of disputes, including accusations of sexual misconduct, allegations of deceiving fans, and most recently, an SEC charge related to an undisclosed cryptocurrency sponsorship. Nevertheless, Paul’s knack for orchestrating attention-grabbing events propelled him to become one of the highest-earning athletes in 2022.
He secured sponsorship from the energy drink brand Celsius, founded the sports betting app “Betr,” which successfully raised $50 million in a Series A funding round, and this year, he inked an MMA contract to participate in a new pay-per-view division.
4. Rhett & Link
- Earnings: $35 million
- Total Followers: 51 million
- Average Engagement: 0.85%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
Rhett James McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln “Link” Neal III, lifelong friends since their school days and former engineers, embarked on their journey in 2006 by uploading comedic content to YouTube.
Today, their entertainment company, Mythical, headquartered in Burbank, California, boasts a workforce of over 100 individuals. This talented team produces a variety of YouTube series, including the popular daily show “Good Mythical Morning,” the culinary delight of “Mythical Kitchen,” and the humor-packed sketch comedy channel Smosh, catering to a staggering 18 million subscribers.
Additionally, Rhett & Link extend their creative prowess into podcasts, live tours, livestream events, books, and television productions. Simultaneously, their Creator Accelerator fund is actively investing in emerging content creators.
5. Charli D’Amelio
- Earnings: $23 million
- Total Followers: 213 million
- Average Engagement: 0.7%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
Charli D’Amelio continues to maintain her position as the foremost female creator on TikTok and stands tall on the Creators list. The D’Amelio family empire is flourishing with each passing day. Hailing from Connecticut, Charli has ascended to become one of the internet’s most viral sensations.
Her face now represents Prada, and she effortlessly promotes brands such as Amazon, CeraVe, and SKIMS, the clothing line co-founded by Kim Kardashian.
Charli D’Amelio’s fragrance, Born Dreamer, has graced the shelves of stores across the United States and Europe.
Additionally, you’ll discover Social Tourist on clothing racks, a brand she and her sister Dixie (who holds the #18 spot on this list) launched in collaboration with Hollister in 2021. The D’Amelio family is currently in the process of filming the third season of their reality series, “The D’Amelio Show,” exclusively for Hulu. They are also overseeing their newly-launched shoe brand, D’Amelio Footwear.
All of these remarkable accomplishments have been achieved before Charli even reaches the age of 20.
6. Logan Paul
- Earnings: $21 million
- Total Followers: 74 million
- Average Engagement: 1.25%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
Logan Paul’s initial foray into internet fame began on Vine, alongside his brother Jake (who ranks #3 on the Top Creator list).
They harnessed this initial momentum to expand their presence onto YouTube, where Logan posted vlogs and daring stunts, including iPhone giveaways and engaging in celebrity bouts like the one against Kevin Hart. The channel has garnered an impressive 23.6 million subscribers.
However, Paul’s content has occasionally been marred by controversy, marked by alarming and insensitive videos, such as one that featured a deceased body in Japan’s “suicide forest.” This controversy led to a temporary demonetization of his platform.
In response, Logan Paul capitalized on his knack for generating shock value and transitioned into the world of professional wrestling. He recently concluded his WWE contract and continues to collaborate on promotional efforts with YouTuber KSI (#2 on the Top Creators List), particularly with Prime Hydration.
In addition to his wrestling endeavors, Paul co-hosts the “Impaulsive” podcast alongside his brother, where they delve into addressing ongoing controversies and other topics of interest.
7. Elliot Tebele (F*ckJerry)
- Earnings: $30 million
- Total Followers: 17 million
- Average Engagement: 1%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
The original meme pioneer, going by the name Elliot Tebele, serves as the creative mind behind the vast social media empire known as FJerryLLC. This empire encompasses various accounts, such as F*ckJerry, BeigeCardigan, DudeWithSign, and JerryNews, collectively amassing an impressive 40 million followers.
However, Tebele’s substantial earnings primarily stem from his board game venture, which features the popular party game “What Do You Meme.” This game is widely available nationwide through major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon.
Expanding his entrepreneurial reach even further, Tebele has entered the alcohol industry with the viral tequila brand known as Jaja.
8. Emma Chamberlain
- Earnings: $20 million
- Total Followers: 28 million
- Average Engagement: 6.25%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
Starting with YouTube videos filmed in her mother’s home, Emma Chamberlain made the bold decision to leave high school behind. She has since achieved the remarkable feat of amassing 27.9 million followers, channeling her dry humor and passion for fashion into a thriving lifestyle empire.
Chamberlain holds the distinction of being one of the first creators to secure a prestigious fashion partnership with Louis Vuitton. She has further solidified her status with lucrative collaborations, including notable names like Cartier, Lancome, Levi’s, Aritzia, and Canon.
Expanding her entrepreneurial ventures, Chamberlain has ventured into the beverage industry with Chamberlain Coffee, a brand available at major retailers like Walmart and Sprouts. Additionally, her podcast, “Anything Goes,” entered an exclusive Spotify video agreement in February.
9. Matt Rife
- Earnings: $25 million
- Total Followers: 22 million
- Average Engagement: 10.7%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 3
Matt Rife, a stand-up comedian, has leveraged his social media prominence to achieve sold-out live performances. Following a decade of performing in small clubs, Rife catapulted to TikTok stardom when a video of him engaging in humoristic banter with a female fan went viral.
In the past year, this Ohio native has accumulated an impressive following of 17 million TikTok fans and successfully sold over 750,000 tickets for his international tour. Furthermore, his Netflix stand-up special titled “Natural Selection” is set to stream later this year.
10. Brent Rivera
- Earnings: $17.5 million
- Total Followers: 96 million
- Average Engagement: 11.25%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 3
Brent Rivera has demonstrated his mastery across several of the world’s most prominent social media platforms. He began his journey on Vine, transitioned to YouTube, and ultimately found a substantial following on TikTok. His comedic videos, often featuring his younger sister Lexi, have cultivated a dedicated fan base of 50 million viewers.
Beyond his creative pursuits, the 25-year-old recipient of the Streamy Award has proven himself as a savvy entrepreneur. He has formed partnerships with major brands such as Starbucks, Xbox, and Prada. Concurrently, Rivera established Amp Studios in 2017, a media company dedicated to supporting fellow creators and emerging brands.
11. Khabane (Khaby) Lame
- Earnings: $16.5 million
- Total Followers: 244 million
- Average Engagement: 0.85%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
For Lame, silence holds immense value. This TikTok sensation, often referred to as the million-dollar mime, commands a staggering $750,000 for featuring a product in both a TikTok video and an Instagram post.
In 2019, Lame’s daily routine involved assembling car filters in a factory situated outside of Turin. Fast forward to the present day, and he boasts a remarkable following of over 240 million social media devotees. His accomplishments extend to forging profitable collaborations with prestigious brands like Hugo Boss, State Farm, and the Middle East bank QNB.
Furthermore, this autumn marked a significant milestone in his career as he became a featured character in Fortnite, the immensely popular multiplayer video game boasting more than 230 million monthly players.
12. Alexandra Cooper
- Earnings: $20 million
- Total Followers: 5 million
- Average Engagement: 14%
- Entrepreneurship Score: 4
She’s not just a podcaster; she’s a mogul. Alexandra Cooper, catapulted to stardom through her podcast “Call Her Daddy,” has become the reigning queen of content streaming. She recently inked a staggering three-year, $60 million deal with Spotify, solidifying her position as the most popular female podcaster on the platform.
Cooper’s podcast delves into candid discussions about sex and relationships, often featuring notable figures such as Janelle Monáe and Post Malone.
In June, she took her entrepreneurial journey further by launching Trending, a media company geared towards Gen Z, which she co-founded with her fiancé, Matt Kaplan. Moreover, in September, her podcast company, The Unwell Network, introduced a new show titled “Hot Mess,” starring TikTok sensation Alix Earle (#42 on the Top Creators list).
Other Individuals Names
13. Mark Edward Fischbach (Markiplier)
14. Sean McLoughlin (Jacksepticeye)
15. Huda Kattan
16. Preston Arsement (PrestonPlayz)
17. Dixie D’Amelio
18. Ryan Kaji
19. Zach King
20. Drew Desbordes (Druski)
21. Chiara Ferragni
22. Bailey Sarian
23. Addison Rae Easterling
24. Adam Waheed (Adam W)
25. Josh Richards
26. Christina Najjar (Tinx)
27. Kaitlyn Siragusa (Amouranth)
28 .Dani Austin Ramirez
29. Mark Rober
30. Dream
31. Tyler Blevins (Ninja)
32. Marques Brownlee
33. Michael Le (JustMaiko)
34. Bella Poarch
35. Nick DiGiovanni
36. Mikayla Nogueira
37. Brooke Monk
38. Madison Beer
39. Madison Beer
40. Anthony Dawson (TooTurntTony)
41. Aimee Song
42. Alix Earle
43. Drew Afualo
44. Kai Cenat
45. Alan Chikin Chow
46. Vivian Tu
47. Monet McMichael
48. Olivia Dunne
49. Drea Okeke (Drea Knows Best)
50. Dylan Mulvaney
Summary
The approximate calculated gross earnings of each creator from June 2022 to June 2023. Collaborators at Influential supplied follower counts across various social media platforms, as well as engagement rates, which were computed by dividing the total likes, comments, and shares by the total number of followers.
Regarding the entrepreneur ranking, Individuals use a scale of one to four. This scale encompassed a spectrum, ranging from those primarily reliant on traditional advertising for their income to those actively involved in establishing their own enterprises, brands, and services.
