I don’t mean the fruit. I mean the four-trillion-dollar company that many people love—and just as many quietly resent. And it eats my lunch!
As a small creator, every milestone feels big. The other day, I had one of those rare holiday moments: a viewer sent a Super Thanks. For a few hours, I felt genuine excitement and gratitude. It felt like the work was finally paying off.
Then the next day came.
I opened my dashboard and saw the actual payout. The holiday was over. 51% of that gift was gone.
The Double Platform Cut
I already knew about YouTube’s 30% cut. It’s standard, and while it’s steep, I had made peace with it.
What I hadn’t fully internalized was what happens on Apple devices.
If a viewer sends a Super Thanks through the YouTube app on an iPhone or iPad, Apple takes 30% first through its in-app purchase system. Then YouTube takes 30% of what remains.
The Math of a $100 Gift
| Step | Who Takes It | Amount Taken | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gift | Viewer Sends | $0.00 | $100.00 |
| Apple’s In-App Fee | Apple (30%) | $30.00 | $70.00 |
| YouTube’s Cut | Google (30%) | $21.00 | $49.00 |
| Final Payout | Creator | — | $49.00 |
By the time the platforms are finished, I receive less than half of what the viewer intended. Apple earns $30 for processing a click, while I—the person who made the content—receive $49.
Why Android Is Different
This double cut doesn’t happen on Android. Because Google owns both Android and YouTube, there’s only one platform fee.
If a viewer sends a Super Thanks from an Android device—or from a web browser—the creator receives the full 70%. The 51% loss only applies when the transaction goes through Apple’s in-app purchase system.
How You Can Help (At No Cost)
Most viewers have no idea this happens. If you ever want to support a creator and you use iPhone, the most effective way is simple:
- Use a web browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) instead of the app.
- Apple receives $0.
- The creator keeps their full 70% share.
It’s a small change for a viewer. For a small creator, it’s the difference between a celebration that lasts—and one that disappears overnight.