The truth about content creation: Are all creators making reels actually filling their pockets, or is someone else really making the money?
The term "content creator" is no longer unfamiliar to people, and many recognize it as a means of earning a living. Gen Z, in particular, can often be found talking about followers, likes, and viral content. In India, approximately 2-2.5 million people are working day and night on their mobile screens to gain fame and fortune. But the question is, how many of them are actually making money, and what is the reality of the content creator economy? Let's discuss this.
In the past few years, people have started viewing content creation as a source of income. However, for a long time, relatives used to call these content creators "unemployed." But the situation has changed today.
According to a BBC report, at the Waves Summit held in Mumbai this May, it was stated that India's digital creators are influencing approximately $350 billion in customer spending annually, and this figure is expected to reach $1 trillion in the next five years. This means that India's content creator economy will become a trillion-dollar industry.
The Indian government has also taken this very seriously. In March 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that $100 million would be allocated to the creator economy.
Simply put, the creators whose one-and-a-half-minute content you see on your mobile screen are actually becoming a major sales force for the country.
According to reports, there are 2 to 2.5 million active digital creators in India with more than 1,000 followers who regularly post content on various platforms. And it goes without saying that due to cheap data, the competition to capitalize on this formula is increasing day by day among Gen Z.
How many people are actually earning from this?
The answer might surprise you. According to a report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), only 8 to 10 percent of creators can earn money from their content. In other words, out of 2 to 2.5 million active creators, only 200,000 to 250,000 are actually making money. The remaining 90-92 percent of creators either earn very little or social media is not their primary source of income.
How do content creators actually make this money?
Top creators partner with big brands because they have a large audience, and they sell exclusive content through their videos. In addition, they also earn from brand sponsorships, platform ads, affiliate marketing, subscriptions, and premium content.
But who is really getting rich?
Many content creators in India have indeed become millionaires, but the social media platforms that made them millionaires are the real winners in this game. According to a Business Standard report, YouTube's Indian operations had a revenue of ₹14,300 crore in 2024, while Facebook (Meta) also had a turnover in the thousands of crores.
Therefore, it can be said that content creation is a huge market, but achieving success is equally difficult. Along with this comes the psychological pressure of potential failure.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Dainik Jagran. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
