Forbes reveals 2025's highest earning social media creators
- Forbes published the 2025 Top Creators List, showcasing 50 social media influencers across various platforms.
- These creators have earned nearly $853 million in total, with a significant rise in followers to over 3.37 billion.
- The list reflects the growing power and influence of social media creators in driving global audience engagement.
Forbes recently launched its 2025 Top Creators List, a comprehensive ranking comprised of the 50 highest-earning and most influential social media influencers. This year's list marks the fourth annual release, enabling an analysis of creators across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. Cumulatively, these creators earned nearly $853 million, reflecting an impressive 18.5% increase from the previous year. The total followers of listed creators surged to over 3.37 billion, a 25% rise compared to last year, showcasing their increasing impact on global engagement. Notably, Mr. Beast retained his title as the highest-earning creator for the fourth consecutive year. The diversity in creators is illustrated by the inclusion of TikTok influencers like Alix Earle and Jake Shane, alongside familiar figures such as Alex Cooper and Ms. Rachel from YouTube. Moreover, new talents like DJ XANDRA and lawyer Erika Kullberg joined the ranks, highlighting an evolving creator landscape focused on varied backgrounds and niches. The rankings consider criteria like earning potential, entrepreneurial endeavors, along with clout, which evaluates follower engagement ratios. Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor at Forbes, emphasized how this year's list showcases the evolution of the creator economy, shifting its focus on how creators wield global influence and represent diverse brands. This carries implications for brands looking to engage with audiences in innovative ways. In addition to the list launch, Forbes is hosting a celebration event at Influential Beach during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, teamed up with Lowe’s Creator. Alongside this, Forbes also plans to introduce the inaugural Forbes Top Creators DIY 50 list in partnership with Lowe's Creator, spotlighting influential home improvement creators. This endeavor seeks to further encapsulate the wide spectrum of content that can attract substantial engagement and drive monetization for creators across various genres.