What if 80% of the viewers who would love your content never watch – just because they don’t speak your language? More than 60%, according to YouTube's own data, of watch time on English videos comes from non-English speakers, yet most creators stick to one language, leaving massive growth (and revenue) untapped.
Translating YouTube videos is about unlocking entire new markets. But choosing the right languages isn’t just about population size. It’s about where audience engagement, watch time, and CPMs actually align.
So, where should you start? You don’t just want more views – you want the right ones. Let’s break down the top languages that can actually help you scale your channel worldwide.
The Strategy Behind Choosing Languages for YouTube Video Translation
Before diving into the top five languages, let’s clarify something. One of the biggest mistakes creators make when thinking about translation is assuming language equals country. But a language isn't just spoken within national borders; it forms vast networks of audiences spread across multiple regions, each with unique engagement patterns and ad revenue potential.
When we talk about Spanish, we’re not just talking about Spain; we’re talking about 529 million native speakers across Latin America, the U.S., and beyond. Arabic? It’s not just the Middle East; it’s millions of Arabic speakers in France, Spain, and even the United States, each with wildly different CPMs (Cost Per Mille, or ad revenue per 1,000 views).
The same is true for Portuguese, which extends far beyond Brazil into regions like Angola and Portugal, both with growing YouTube audiences.
YouTube is available in over 100 countries and supports more than 80 languages. (Statistics 2025)
Reaching a Fraction of Your Potential Audience
According to YouTube’s own data, over 60% of watch time on English-language channels comes from non-English speakers. That means localizing your content can double or even triple your reach – without producing a single new video.
Now, let’s get into the best languages for YouTube video translation that make the most sense for scaling your YouTube channel.
Spanish: The Gateway to a Massive, Engaged Audience
Why Spanish?
- 529 million native speakers, with an additional 100 million non-native speakers
- YouTube’s third-largest user base
- Top Spanish-speaking YouTube markets: Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Colombia, U.S. (Hispanic market)
- CPM potential: The U.S. Hispanic market has CPMs rivaling the English-speaking U.S.
If you’re looking for the fastest way to expand your YouTube audience with translation and scale internationally, Spanish is your best bet. Not only is it one of the most spoken languages in the world, but YouTube’s third-largest user base is in Spanish-speaking regions and the most popular language for video translation.
And what makes it even more compelling is the U.S. Hispanic market, which has CPMs comparable to English-speaking audiences.
Creators who translate their videos into Spanish don’t just see a spike in views from Mexico or Argentina; they tap into a U.S. audience that consumes 25% more YouTube content than in other countries. It’s an audience that’s growing exponentially, and one that isn’t as saturated as the English-speaking market.
And it’s not just theoretical. We’ve seen it work. One of the largest kids’ channels on YouTube we work with, Kids Diana Show, has a dedicated Spanish-language version that has racked up over 5 billion views. The demand is there. The questions are, how to choose languages for video translation and will you be the next to capitalize on it?
Portuguese: The Sleeping Giant of YouTube Growth
Why Portuguese?
- 265 million speakers, with the majority concentrated in Brazil
- YouTube’s one of the largest markets with over 147 million active user
- Top Portuguese-speaking YouTube markets: Brazil, Angola and Portugal
- CPM variation: Has moderate CPMs, but high view volume offsets it
Brazil’s love affair with YouTube is no secret. The country ranks as YouTube’s one of the largest markets, with over 147 million active users consuming content daily plus Angola and Portugal. But most Brazilian viewers don’t speak English fluently. This means if your content isn’t in Portuguese, you’re invisible to one of the most engaged and passionate YouTube audiences in the world.
Brazilian audiences have a high watch time and engage deeply with content, making it an ideal market for translation. The CPMs may not be as high as in the U.S., but the sheer volume of views more than compensates for it. Many creators who introduce Brazilian Portuguese YouTube video dubbing see double the engagement almost instantly.
And yet, despite the opportunity, relatively few creators are actively localizing for this market. Those who do often find themselves dominating niches with little competition.
Want to take your content global? AIR Media-Tech has helped creators reach hundreds of millions of subscribers by translating and localizing their content into over 50 languages. As a YouTube-recommended vendor, we handle everything – from translation and dubbing to tailoring content for local audiences. Get in touch with us to find the best strategy for your channel and watch your reach and earnings soar!
Hindi: The Fastest-Growing YouTube Market
Why Hindi?
- Over 600 million speakers in India alone
- India is YouTube’s largest market (476 million users and growing)
- CPM potential: Lower than the U.S., but massive viewership balances earnings
- 50% of India’s internet users prefer Hindi over English
If there’s one language that represents YouTube’s massive part, it’s Hindi. India is already YouTube’s largest market, with 476 million users, and that number is growing rapidly. But here’s what most creators get wrong: they assume Indians watch content in English. That’s a massive miscalculation. 54% of online video consumption in India is in Hindi, and most Indian audiences actively prefer content in their native language.
While it’s true that CPMs in India are lower than in Western countries, the sheer number of potential viewers offsets this. Channels that introduce Hindi-language dubbing often see explosive growth in both subscribers and watch time. Competition in Hindi-language content is still relatively low compared to English. Also, think about the fact that there are Indian diaspora all over the world, and they will also prefer their own language.
India surpasses all other countries in terms of user count (Statista)
Arabic: The Underrated Goldmine for YouTube Monetization
Why Arabic?
- Arabic speakers: 310 million native, 420 million total
- High-growth markets: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco, Algeria
- Surprise audience: Arabic is widely spoken in France, Spain, and even the U.S. – all with different CPMs
Most creators don’t realize this, but Arabic-speaking audiences are some of the most engaged viewers on YouTube. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has one of the highest YouTube watch times per user, and ads in Arabic-speaking regions, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have comparatively high CPMs in comparison to the U.S.
But here’s what makes Arabic even more interesting – millions of Arabic speakers live in high-CPM regions like France and the U.S. That means you’re not just reaching Middle Eastern viewers; you’re reaching a global diaspora that consumes content at an incredibly high rate.
French: The Key to Europe and Africa’s Emerging Digital Markets
Why French?
- 310 million speakers worldwide
- Strong markets: France, Canada (Quebec), Belgium, Switzerland
- Fastest-growing market: French-speaking Africa – where YouTube penetration is still expanding
- CPM potential: Higher in France & Canada, lower in Africa, but huge untapped audience
French isn’t just spoken in France and Canada. It’s the lingua franca of vast regions of Africa, where digital consumption is growing at an incredible rate. Countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Algeria are seeing huge increases in YouTube viewership, yet there’s little competition for French-language content. Creators who get in now can dominate these markets before they become oversaturated.
France itself is already one of the most lucrative YouTube markets, and CPMs in Canada’s French-speaking regions are on par with those in the U.S. This means French localization doesn’t just open doors to wider audiences; it offers a direct path to higher monetization opportunities.
Channels translated to French have seen 70%+ growth in emerging African markets, where viewership is booming.
Beyond Just Translation
Most creators don’t realize that translation alone isn’t enough. AIR Media-Tech localizes, analyzes, and optimizes. Our AI-powered tools and professional dubbing services ensure that your content isn’t just understandable – it’s culturally relevant and primed for engagement.
We help creators pinpoint exactly which language regions offer the best mix of reach, CPM, and engagement. Then we handle the entire process – from metadata translation to voice dubbing and audience targeting.
Contact us and let’s expand your reach today with AIR Translate!
Case Study: How AIR Media-Tech Helped Brave Wilderness
A great example of successful video localization is the Brave Wilderness channel, which has over 21 million subscribers. They effectively localized their content by teaming up with AIR Media-Tech.
This move expanded their reach and opened up new revenue streams and sponsorship opportunities in the market. The takeaway? Effective localization can lead to significant growth and engagement.
Want to Start Translating Your Videos?
YouTube content translation is about building global influence and income. The right strategy with the top languages to translate videos can double your audience, increase watch time, and open new revenue streams. The next billion YouTube views won’t come from creating more videos. They’ll come from speaking the right language.
AIR Media-Tech has helped hundreds of creators scale internationally. Let’s build a custom multilingual YouTube strategy for your channel.
Ready to scale your content globally? Let’s make it happen. Contact AIR Media-Tech today.
