To see where we're headed in 2022, first we must look back at 2021. YouTube in particular had a banger year, with the platform adding more users and YouTubers adding more to their checkbooks.

A new report from Forbes lays out who's the richest YouTuber of them all. For this year, MrBeast takes the top spot with $54 million earned in 2021. One of YouTube's most famous figures, MrBeast doubled his previous year's total views with 10 billion across all videos. 4

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MrBeast mostly keeps his audience with increasingly elaborate stunts, such as the time he rebuilt the Squid Game set for his own rendition of the battle royale contest, or that time he locked himself in a maximum-security prison for 50 hours. His videos typically gain tens of millions of views, which translates into serious ad revenue.

But it's not just ads that MrBeast makes money from. Last year saw the announcement of MrBeast Burger, an app that lets viewers order MrBeast-branded food from over 600 associated restaurants across the USA that have sold over 5 million burgers so far.

Coming in second place is Jake Paul with $45 million in earnings. Jake's views are mostly from his boxing matches, which last year included bouts against MMA fighters Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. Although YouTube is mostly a side-gig for Paul; Forbes reports over 90% of his money comes from his boxing career.

In third is Markiplier, perhaps YuuTube's biggest and best merchandiser. Markiplier rose to fame with hilarious lets plays of games like Five Nights at Freddy's and Subnautica but has since turned for more creative endeavors. He plans on starting a TV adaptation of The Edge of Sleep, a thriller podcast that Markiplier narrated back in 2019.

For the full list and to see who’s made more money in 2021 than 2020, head on over to Forbes. And for the latest controversy, check out these famous content creators who have been turned into NFTs without consent.

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