Creator Economy Projected to Hit $500 Billion USD Market Valuation by 2027
Visa surveyed over 1,000 creators across five countries, revealing that 88% of content creators expect their revenue to grow over the next year.
Summary
- Visa’s new report follows its 2024 recognition of creators as small businesses, forecasting the industry to reach $500B USD.
- The survey found that 85% of creators earn up to $100K annually and are optimistic about growth, with brand deals being the top revenue source.
- Creators need more support for business skills like financial management, strategy, and legal compliance.
After officially recognizing creators as small businesses in 2024, Visa‘s newly released “Monetized: 2025 Creator Report” provides new insights, demystifying the creator landscape and informing better financial infrastructure to support creators.
Since the advent of Web 2.0 and social media platforms in the early 2000s, a “creator economy” fueled by independent, user-generated content has flourished. Now, a quarter into the 21st century, the creator economy is expected to reach an industry valuation of $500 billion USD according to Visa, further cementing content creators as legitimate business owners.
In partnership with Morning Consult and TikTok, Visa’s survey of more than 1,000 creators in the United States, Brazil, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates outlines not only the optimism taking hold among creators but also their greatest challenges.
According to the survey, most creators are earning substantial income, with 85% being full- or part-time creators making up to $100K a year. Overall, 88% of respondents expect their business revenue to grow over the next year. While popular narratives tend to classify content creation as an unstable or temporary venture, 76% said they feel no pressure to pursue a traditional career.
What are creators’ top sources of revenue? Brand partnerships lead the charge, with 94% of creators posting branded content more than once a month, followed by affiliate marketing (78%) and service promotions (77%). The report also reveals that Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube generate the most income for surveyed creators as they provide the largest followings and monetization opportunities.
While the survey points to continued growth in the creator economy, it also cites a need for more knowledge and guidance regarding contract negotiations, business strategy, financial management, and tax and legal compliance. Many are confident in their ability to connect with audiences and craft engaging content, but they often lack the business background to handle finances and other administrative duties.
To address this, Visa partnered with Karat on a new agentic pilot program, which aims to give creators a practical toolbox to manage their finances and streamline operations. For example, sending, receiving, and tracking payments can be automated, along with reminders and follow-ups for late invoices and brand payments.
As the creator economy becomes a larger sector and creators are increasingly recognized as true business owners, future stability rests on the development of dedicated financial tools and operational support from experts. Read more about Visa’s “Monetized: 2025 Creator Report” at the company’s official web page.
