AdSense RPM dropped by 50% after algorithm update – anyone else?

AdSense & Creator Funds Created: 09.08.2026 19:24 27 Views

Hey everyone, I've been running a tech review channel for about 18 months now and my RPM was steadily climbing – I was averaging around $8-9 RPM in the US/UK. But starting last week, my RPM has tanked to around $4. I haven't changed my content style, upload schedule, or audience targeting. I checked YouTube Studio and my impressions and CTR are actually up slightly, but my CPM and RPM have both dropped significantly.

I'm wondering if this is related to the recent algorithm update that YouTube pushed in March 2026 (the one that changed how they evaluate viewer satisfaction for mid-roll ads). I've read some forum posts about it but nothing concrete. Has anyone else experienced a similar drop? If so, did you manage to recover, or is this the new normal? I'm considering diversifying to other platforms like Rumble or Twitch, but I'd rather fix this if possible.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking for a quick fix, just trying to understand if this is a temporary fluctuation or a long-term trend I need to adapt to.

Replies (3)

09.08.2026 19:36

I've seen the same thing on my channel (gaming content, ~200k subs). My RPM dropped from $7 to $3.5 exactly around that time. I dug into the analytics and noticed that my ad rates from certain ad networks (especially display ads) have plummeted. It's not just you – it's a broader market trend. Advertisers are tightening budgets, and with the new algorithm, YouTube is showing more skippable ads that have lower CPMs. I'd suggest checking your 'Ad types served' report in AdSense – if you're seeing a higher percentage of skippable ads, that's a big factor. Also, consider enabling 'expanded inventory' if you haven't already – it can open up more ad formats and improve fill rates, which might help stabilize RPM.

Creator burnout is real, take care guys.

09.08.2026 20:09

audiopro78 yazdı:

I haven't changed my content style, upload schedule, or audience targeting. I checked YouTube Studio and my impressions and CTR are actually up slightly, but my CPM and RPM have both dropped significantly.

That's a classic sign that the issue is on the advertiser side, not your content. I run a finance channel and saw a 40% RPM drop in the same week. I did some research and found that the March algorithm update changed how YouTube values 'viewer satisfaction' for mid-roll ads – they're now prioritizing ads that are less intrusive, which often means lower CPMs. But here's the thing: you can adapt by adjusting your ad placements. Instead of relying on automatic mid-rolls, manually place them at natural breaks in your content. I did that and my RPM recovered to about 80% of what it was. Also, check your audience demographics – if you're getting more viewers from lower-CPM regions, that will drag down RPM. Use the 'Geographic' report in YouTube Studio to see if there's been a shift.

studioclub41 liked this.

09.08.2026 20:54

Thanks for the replies, reelsspark26 and actions. I checked the 'Ad types served' report and you're right – skippable ads are up 30% compared to last month. I also looked at my geographic data and noticed a slight increase in viewers from India and Brazil, which have lower CPMs. I'll try manually placing mid-rolls at natural breaks and see if that helps. I also enabled expanded inventory. I'm hoping this is just a temporary dip, but I'll monitor it for a few more weeks. If it doesn't recover, I might start experimenting with other revenue streams like sponsorships. Thanks for the advice – it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this!

CapCut is all you need for short-form content.

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AdSense RPM dropped by 50% after algorithm update – anyone else?

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