How mr beast rose from MrBeast6000 to 400 million YouTube subscribers

Introduction

Mr Beast has become one of the most influential creators on YouTube, drawing attention for large-scale stunts, charitable drives and record-setting subscriber growth. Understanding his trajectory is important for readers interested in digital media trends, online philanthropy and how individual creators can shape platform culture and audience expectations.

Main developments

Early beginnings

Donaldson uploaded his first YouTube video in February 2012, aged 13, under the channel name “MrBeast6000”. By 2019 he was described as one of the most-viewed YouTube creators, aged 21, gaining traction with elaborate stunts and high-value giveaways that boosted views and subscriber numbers.

Major milestones

MrBeast’s channel has reached several notable milestones. On 17 November 2022 he achieved the Guinness World Record for “Most Subscribers for an Individual Male on YouTube” with 112 million subscribers. Reports indicate he later became the first YouTuber to hit 300 million subscribers, and on 1 June 2025 he became the first YouTuber to surpass 400 million subscribers. His content has included viral pieces such as a controversial Squid Game recreation video that surpassed 100 million views.

Campaigns and platform reach

Beyond entertainment, MrBeast has engaged in high-profile charitable initiatives. On 25 October 2019 he and fellow YouTuber Mark Rober launched #TeamTrees to raise $20 million for the Arbor Day Foundation by 1 January 2020, with the goal of planting one tree per donated dollar by December 2022. His social media presence extends beyond YouTube: his Facebook page lists over 36 million likes and more than 2.5 million people “talking about this”, while his TikTok profile shows 124.4 million followers and 1.3 billion likes. His TikTok also promotes projects such as “Beast Games 2: Strong Vs. Smart” on Prime Video.

Conclusion

MrBeast’s career illustrates how a creator can evolve from early uploads into a multi-platform phenomenon with record-breaking subscriber counts and influential charitable projects. The milestones to 400 million subscribers and campaigns like #TeamTrees mark both commercial and social impact. For readers, his trajectory highlights the growing scale of individual creators and their potential to mobilise large audiences for entertainment and philanthropy.