Faith Nyasuguta
The content creation and social media influencing space has experienced exponential growth, now boasting a staggering value of $250 billion. Creators have transitioned from merely entertaining their audiences to earning millions directly from social media platforms, as evidenced by the latest Forbes Top Creators ranking for 2024.
This annual list highlights the achievements of 50 creators who are at the forefront of the rapidly expanding creator ecosystem, which is now estimated to be nearly 50 million people strong.
The 2024 Forbes Top Creators list reveals a remarkable $20 million increase in earnings for top social media influencers, with a combined total of $720 million made over the past 12 months. This increase indicates the growing financial opportunities within the industry.
Additionally, the report noted a growth of more than 100 million followers to the creators’ combined total, bringing their collective audience to over 2.7 billion followers across platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Projections by Goldman Sachs suggest that by 2027, the industry could be worth nearly $500 billion.
American influencers dominated the top ten list, with the exception of Senegalese-Italian creator Khaby Lame, who secured the 10th position. Lame, often referred to as the Charlie Chaplin of digital media, has carved out a unique niche in the influencing world. His short videos, which humorously react to memes and viral trends, have resonated with a global audience, making him the most followed person on TikTok with 163 million followers and 255 million followers across all platforms.
Lame’s content has garnered approximately 2.5 billion likes, which he has successfully converted into millions of dollars. His income rose from $16.5 million in 2023 to an impressive $20 million this year, jumping from the 11th position on last year’s Forbes list.
Other African creators, such as Olajide Olatunji (KSI), who ranked number 2 in last year’s edition, were notably absent from this year’s ranking. This shift highlights the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the content creation landscape, where new talents continually emerge to captivate audiences and command substantial earnings.
Forbes, in collaboration with the creator marketing firm Influential, used a comprehensive methodology to rank the world’s top creators. This involved analyzing estimated gross earnings, follower counts, engagement rates, and entrepreneurial activities of thousands of internet personalities. Estimates of each creator’s gross earnings from June 2023 to June 2024 were crucial in determining their positions on the list.
The rise of content creation as a lucrative profession is indicative of broader trends in digital media and consumer behavior. With more people spending time online, brands are increasingly recognizing the value of partnering with influencers who have dedicated and engaged followings. This symbiotic relationship benefits both creators, who monetize their content through brand deals and advertisements, and brands, which gain access to targeted and authentic marketing channels.
The future of the content creation industry looks promising, with continued growth and innovation on the horizon. The latest Forbes Top Creators list not only celebrates the achievements of those who have risen to the top but also shows the vast potential for aspiring creators worldwide. As the industry evolves, it will be exciting to see how new trends, technologies, and platforms shape the landscape and redefine what it means to be an influencer.
Here are the top 10 top social media influencers, their nations and net worth:
| Rank | Name | Country | Networth | Followers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr Beast | US | $85M | 503M |
| 2 | Dhar Mann | US | $45M | 120M |
| 3 | Matt Rife | US | $50M | 30.4M |
| 4 | Charli D’Amelio | US | $23.50M | 213.5M |
| 5 | Stokes Twins | US | $20M | 113.7M |
| 6 | Dixie D’Amelio | US | $14.6M | 87M |
| 7 | Mark Rober | US | $25M | 61.9M |
| 8 | Alex Cooper | US | $22M | 5.7M |
| 9 | Rhett & Link | US | $36M | 14.3M |
| 10 | Khaby Lame | Senegal/Italy | $20M | 255M |
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