Forbes unveils Top 50 Creators of 2025, ranked by earnings

Forbes has officially revealed its much-anticipated Top 50 Creators of 2025, and let’s just say… the timeline is not taking it lightly. Headlined by MrBeast with a jaw-dropping $85 million, the list features a mix of familiar faces, unexpected entries, and a few eyebrow-raising absentees that have sent fans into full analysis mode.

While creator earnings are no secret, it’s the official Forbes stamp that brings the receipts and with it, the drama. From Kick streamers being MIA to comedians and family vloggers climbing into double-digit millions, the ranking has sparked more debate than a group chat on a slow news day.

Forbes Top 50 Creators 2025 sparks debate online

The list includes everyone from YouTube legends like Markiplier and Rhett & Link to newer sensations like Haley Kalil and Alexandra Pohl. But it wasn’t just who made the cut, it was who didn’t.

Fans were quick to point out a major absence: Adin Ross. With IShowSpeed coming in at #42 ($20M) and Kai Cenat down at #28 ($8.5M), users were confused about how some streamers landed their spots and why others were missing altogether. Especially since Adin has consistently been one of the most talked-about creators on Kick and beyond.

And let’s talk about Matt Rife. The stand-up comic skyrocketed to #7 with a whopping $50 million, tying with Jake Paul. Considering the backlash from his recent Netflix special, fans are stunned and slightly amused that the controversy didn’t hurt the bag.

Meanwhile, TikTok royalty like Charli D’Amelio, Khaby Lame, and Addison Rae still secured places, though their earnings seem modest compared to YouTube veterans and podcasters like Alex Cooper (#5 at $32M). Unsurprisingly, kidfluencer Ryan Kaji is holding strong at #21 with $35M preschool playtime is apparently still a goldmine.

The post blew up within hours of going live, with users on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram breaking down every placement like it was the Met Gala seating chart.

A user joked:

“They forgetting the top 2 Kick streamers.”

Another chimed in with:

“People really think Adin Ross got more than Kai or Speed 😭”

It didn’t stop there. The disbelief kept coming.

A user added:

“There’s 0 way this list is actually accurate.”

Whether it’s about missing numbers or questionable placements, the list is getting roasted, praised, and dissected from all angles. Some users argued the list was fair, pointing out brand deals, merch lines, and business ventures, while others flat-out called it “mainstream media trying to stay relevant.”

But let’s not forget, these Creator lists often rely on estimated data, and not every deal or payout is public. So the numbers might not be perfect, but they do paint a pretty wild picture of where the creator economy is headed.

From podcasters to pranksters, from toddler-targeted YouTube channels to cooking content creators, the spectrum is wide, and the cash flow is even wider.

Regardless of who you stan, the Forbes list proves one thing: content creation is more lucrative than ever. But the backlash shows we’re also more invested than ever in how these numbers are made and who’s getting the credit.

Whether you’re here for the drama, the data, or just the memes, one thing’s clear when it comes to ranking creators: the internet will always have its own list.

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