RevenueLab.fyi

Methodology

Every calculator on RevenueLab.fyi is grounded in a published formula and a set of benchmark assumptions you can see and challenge. This page documents how we build and update them.

1. Where our benchmarks come from

We synthesize three sources for every benchmark range we publish:

  • Public platform data. Official creator/operator reports from YouTube, Google Ads, Shopify, Amazon, and similar sources — including transparency reports, partner program docs, and earnings disclosures.
  • Industry studies. Reports from established market research firms, ad-tech vendors, and operator surveys (e.g. Tubular, Insider Intelligence, OpenView SaaS Benchmarks, Marketplace Pulse).
  • Operator interviews. Direct conversations with creators, freelancers, agency owners, and SaaS founders running real businesses in the relevant niche.

Where ranges differ across sources, we publish a conservative midpoint and flag the spread.

2. How we build a calculator

  1. Identify the operator question users actually ask (e.g. "How much does YouTube pay for 1M views?").
  2. Reduce it to a formula with 3–8 inputs that materially move the answer.
  3. Pick defensible default ranges per niche/segment so first-time users get a useful estimate without tweaking anything.
  4. Surface the formula and assumptions on the page itself — no black boxes.
  5. QA the math against real-world cases we have seen, then ship.

3. What our outputs are not

Our calculators produce directional estimates. They are not:

  • A guarantee of revenue or earnings.
  • Financial, tax, or investment advice.
  • A substitute for a CFO, accountant, or lawyer.

Real revenue depends on market timing, audience composition, execution, seasonality, and dozens of variables we cannot model. Treat outputs as a starting point for negotiation, planning, and back-of-the-envelope decisions — not the final word.

4. How we keep benchmarks current

Platform economics shift. YouTube RPM ranges by niche change as advertiser demand moves; Google Ads CPCs drift; SaaS churn benchmarks update each year. We review every benchmark range at least annually, and immediately when a platform announces a material change (e.g. a YouTube ad-policy update).

When a benchmark changes, we update the calculator and note the revision date on the relevant page.

5. Spotted an error?

We'd rather know. If a calculator output looks wrong for your situation, or a benchmark is out of date, please contact us with the inputs you used and the result you expected.