Audience Monetize has released the “Creator Economy Map,” a visual framework illustrating how the entire creator economy functions. Developed by Janis Mjartans, founder of Audience Monetize, the map outlines all major stakeholders and key interactions between them, showing how money, attention, and power flow through the ecosystem.

It breaks down the industry into clear visual categories and demonstrates specific interactions between stakeholders, including content creators, social platforms, audiences, brands, talent agencies, events, investors, creator-focused startups, freelancers, media channels, and regulators. 

“People see creators and platforms, but they miss the relationships between creators, brands, managers, freelancers, and investors. This map finally connects the dots,” Mjartans said in a press release.

Image source: Audience Monetize

Context and Timing

The map arrives as Goldman Sachs projects the creator economy to grow from approximately 67 million individuals in 2025 to 107 million by 2030. With current monetization patterns showing significant disparity—data indicates 3% of YouTubers capture 90% of net creator earnings—the map aims to help creators identify sustainable revenue paths.

“The creator economy is maturing. The next successful creators will look more like entrepreneurs than entertainers—they’ll create their own products, software, businesses, not just ‘viral content,'” says Mjartans. 

This perspective aligns with recent industry shifts, as WPP Media projects that social media content will surpass traditional production in ad revenue in 2025, with creator-generated revenue expected to reach $184.9 billion this year.