How To Pick High-CPM Niches For Faceless Channels
Why CPM Matters More Than Views
Most creators obsess over views and followers. Views are nice, but advertisers pay you based on CPM, not fame.
CPM stands for cost per thousand views. It’s how much advertisers pay for 1,000 monetized views in your niche.
Two channels can get the same 1 million views and earn completely different amounts.
- Channel A in a low-CPM niche: $1 - $2 per 1,000 views
- Channel B in a high-CPM niche: $10 - $20 per 1,000 views
Same effort, similar content format, very different money.
If you run a faceless channel with Shorts, Reels, or TikToks, your production style is already efficient. You don’t have to show your face, you can batch-create content, and you can test ideas quickly. That means picking the right niche can multiply your income without increasing your workload.
Your job isn’t just to go viral. Your job is to go viral in a niche where advertisers actually spend money.
ShortsFire is built for pushing viral short-form content, but your niche decides how much those viral hits are worth.
Let’s break down how to pick high-CPM niches in a practical way.
What Makes a Niche High-CPM?
Advertisers pay more when the audience is likely to spend more or has high lifetime value. So your CPM rises when your audience fits one or more of these:
-
High-income buyers
People who can afford expensive stuff get targeted by advertisers with deep pockets.- Business owners
- Investors
- Professionals (lawyers, doctors, engineers, executives)
-
High-ticket products or services
If someone might buy something worth $500, $5,000, or $50,000, advertisers fight for that attention.- Software subscriptions
- Online courses and coaching
- Real estate and mortgages
- Credit cards and banking products
-
Clear commercial intent
Some topics attract people who are ready to buy.- “How to start a business”
- “Best credit cards for travel”
- “Beginner investing tips”
-
B2B audiences
Businesses pay more for leads than most consumers.- Tools for creators and marketers
- Automation and software
- Freelancing and agency models
On the flip side, “fun only” niches tend to have lower CPM. Think memes, random trends, pranks, or broad entertainment where people aren’t in a buying mood.
You don’t have to abandon entertaining content. You just want entertainment that attracts valuable viewers.
10 High-CPM Niche Themes For Faceless Channels
You don’t need to copy these directly, but they’ll give you a strong starting point. Each of these can be done without showing your face using stock clips, screen recordings, B-roll, motion graphics, or text-based videos that ShortsFire can help you map out and systemize.
1. Personal Finance and Money Skills
Advertisers: banks, credit cards, stock brokers, fintech apps, tax services
Angles you can use:
- Credit card hacks
- Investing basics explained in 30 seconds
- “Before you buy a car, watch this”
- Money mistakes people make in their 20s
2. Online Business and Side Hustles
Advertisers: course creators, software tools, hosting companies, payment platforms
Angles:
- Low-cost business ideas
- AI tools for making money faster
- “How X creator makes $10K per month” breakdowns
- Realistic side hustle reviews
3. Investing, Stocks, Crypto, and Real Estate
Advertisers: brokerages, real estate agencies, crypto exchanges, newsletters
Angles:
- Simple breakdowns of investor concepts
- “If you invested $100 a month in X” style videos
- Real estate cash-flow examples
- Market news explained for beginners
4. Software Tutorials and Tools for Creators
Advertisers: SaaS companies, editing tools, automation tools, CRM platforms
Angles:
- “Top 3 tools for scaling your content”
- How-to shorts on editing, automation, and content workflows
- Before-after productivity examples
5. Tech and Gadgets With Buying Intent
Advertisers: ecommerce brands, affiliate programs, phone and laptop brands
Angles:
- Short reviews and comparisons
- “Best budget gear for creators”
- Real-life tests and quick opinions using B-roll
6. Career Growth and High-Paying Skills
Advertisers: course platforms, bootcamps, career coaches, resume tools
Angles:
- Skills that pay more than college degrees
- Salary breakdowns by roles
- How to switch careers fast
7. Productivity and Business Mindset
Advertisers: software tools, coaching, planners, courses
Angles:
- Time-management tips backed by simple visuals
- “What top performers do differently”
- Structured routines for business owners
8. Marketing and Agency Growth
Advertisers: marketing tools, CRM, AI platforms, funnels, email software
Angles:
- Short case studies
- “How brands really go viral”
- Funnel breakdowns and ad breakdowns
9. Health for Busy Professionals
Advertisers: supplements, fitness apps, equipment, coaching
Angles:
- Short workouts for entrepreneurs
- Nutrition hacks for people who work long hours
- Energy and focus tips
10. Education for Kids or Parents With Money
Advertisers: learning apps, tutoring platforms, educational toys
Angles:
- Study hacks
- Learning games explained
- Parenting tips related to education
You don’t need to pick just one. You can blend two or three as long as your overall audience profile stays clear.
How To Research CPM Potential Before You Commit
You can’t see exact CPMs by niche before you start, but you can get strong signals.
1. Look At Who Advertises On Similar Channels
Search YouTube for “faceless” style videos in your niche. Watch several and check the ad types.
Questions to ask:
- Are you seeing banks, software tools, business services, courses?
- Or are you mostly seeing random mobile game ads?
Higher-end advertisers usually mean stronger CPM.
2. Search YouTube For “Best X For Y” In Your Niche
For example:
- “Best business bank account”
- “Best microphone for YouTube”
- “Best CRM for small business”
Then:
- Sort by views
- Open top channels in new tabs
- Look at which ones are clearly monetizing with affiliates and sponsorships
This signals advertiser demand and buyer intent.
3. Use Simple Audience Logic
Ask yourself:
- Does this niche attract people who spend significant money?
- Are there products or services over $200 tied to this topic?
- Can you see brands that would pay a lot to be in front of this audience?
If you can’t think of any, the CPM might be weak.
Making a Faceless Channel Work In a High-CPM Niche
Picking a niche isn’t enough. The niche gives you potential. Your content has to match both what the audience wants and what advertisers value.
1. Audience First, Then Format
For each niche you’re considering, answer:
- Who exactly is watching? Be specific.
- What are they struggling with?
- What would make them stop scrolling?
For example:
- Niche: Personal finance for 20-somethings
- Audience: People who feel behind on money and confused by terminology
- Content style: Short, no-BS explanations with simple visuals and real numbers
ShortsFire can help you structure content ideas globally, so your channel doesn’t turn into random tips.
2. Use Repeatable Video Frameworks
Faceless content that grows fast usually sticks to 2-4 repeatable formats so the audience knows what to expect.
Some frameworks that perform well:
- “Before you [buy / sign / click], watch this”
- “3 things nobody tells you about [topic]”
- “If you’re [situation], do this instead of that”
- “This mistake is costing you [money / time]”
You can build entire faceless channels with simple text-on-screen plus B-roll or stock footage using these formats.
3. Add Light Storytelling To Dry Niches
High-CPM niches like finance and business can feel boring if you just list facts.
You can fix that by:
- Turning tips into tiny stories
- Using “person A vs person B” comparisons
- Showing simple “then vs now” outcomes
Example:
- Instead of “Save 20 percent of your income”
- Use “Alex and Sam both make $3k per month. Alex saves 0, Sam saves 20 percent. Here’s what happens in 5 years.”
Same advice, much more watchable.
Mistakes To Avoid When Picking a High-CPM Niche
A smart niche can accelerate growth, but some traps will slow you down.
1. Chasing CPM With Zero Interest
If you pick a niche purely for money and you hate the topic, you’ll quit when the views move slowly. High-CPM niches still require consistency.
Ask yourself:
- Can I talk about this topic for 6 to 12 months?
- Do I naturally read, watch, or think about this stuff?
If the answer is no, find a nearby topic that still pays well but feels more natural.
2. Being Too Broad
“Money”, “business”, and “health” are too general. You’ll blend in with everyone else.
Narrow it down:
- Money tips for freelancers
- Business lessons from well-known brands
- Health tips for office workers
You can always expand later once your brand is clear.
3. Copying Without Positioning
Don’t just copy big faceless channels video for video. Instead:
- Study what type of content works
- Then bring your own angle, style, pacing, or audience focus
Advertisers like channels with a real identity, not clones.
A Simple 5-Step Process To Pick Your Niche
Use this as a quick decision flow:
-
List 5 topics you’d actually enjoy
Money, software, gadgets, marketing, productivity, etc. -
Score each topic on these 3 things (1 to 5 scale):
- Advertiser money potential
- Your interest level
- Content idea depth (can you think of 50+ short ideas?)
-
Pick the top 2 from your scores
-
Research 10-15 channels in those 2 niches
Look at:- Ad types
- View consistency
- Video frameworks
-
Test with 30-50 shorts in 30 days
Use ShortsFire to build a content pipeline and track:- Watch time
- Click-through rates
- Topic performance by theme
By the end of that sprint, you’ll know which niche responds better and where you feel more natural.
Turn Views Into Revenue, Not Just Vanity
High-CPM niches don’t magically make you rich, but they lift your earning ceiling. If you combine:
- A clear audience
- A topic advertisers care about
- Consistent, faceless, short-form content
- Systemized production and testing
Then every viral short suddenly matters much more.
Don’t just chase random trends. Build a faceless channel that attracts an audience advertisers compete for. That’s where real growth and monetization begin.