One is a content hosting service like Imgur. The people hosting the content are the users. If there are any expenses involved, it's a matter between them and the service provider. The audience doesn't use the service deliberately. They just go there because someone wants to show them something.

The other is a platform where people try to make money with the content they produce. The audience are the users, and it's fair to expect them to pay one way or another. I'm not personally interested in using that YouTube, because I seem to be incompatible with videos as a content format. Pretty much every YouTube video like that I've seen would have been better as a written article.

This post should be an interesting read:

https://drewdevault.com/2014/10/10/The-profitability-of-onli...

The thing is, there is no way to provide a free content hosting service in the long run (whether image or video)

Many Youtube creators are Demonetized. They make money from other sources.

Also, not all creators making money are creating Quality Content. In fact a lot of content is recycled.