MrBeast Makes YouTube History with 400 Million Subscribers – But His Custom Play Button Sparks Mixed Reactions

In an era where nearly everyone is on YouTube—whether watching, creating, or simply scrolling—reaching 1 million subscribers is already a huge deal. But hitting 400 million subscribers? That’s not just a milestone, it’s a moment of internet history. On June 1, 2025, Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, became the first individual creator ever to cross the 400 million subscriber mark on a single channel—solidifying his status as the undisputed king of digital content.

To celebrate this jaw-dropping achievement, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan personally presented MrBeast with a custom-designed Play Button, crafted specifically for the 400M milestone. This is the first time in YouTube’s history that a creator has received such a uniquely tailored award. But while the moment was meant to be celebratory, the internet had other opinions.

Unlike the traditional Silver (100K), Gold (1M), or Diamond (10M) Play Buttons, MrBeast’s award came with a metallic structure, centered around a vivid blue gemstone, meant to reflect the rarity of the moment. Sharing the award on Instagram, MrBeast captioned it: “400,000,000 Subscriber Play Button! Thank you YouTube ”.

But not everyone loved the design.

On Reddit and other social platforms, discussions quickly turned from admiration to critique. Some viewers claimed it looked like a repainted version of the 10M Diamond Play Button, while others said YouTube missed a chance to do something truly iconic.

“It kind of feels like they rushed this. It looks like they made one just for the sake of it,” wrote one user.

Another added, “It’s basically the 10 million button, just with a blue gem in the center.”

A few fans speculated the centerpiece might be made from valuable stones like lapis lazuli or azurite, trying to give YouTube the benefit of the doubt.

“That gemstone is probably something rare and expensive… but still, the design could have been way more creative,” someone commented.

“This feels AI-generated. The vibe is just… off”, “You know it’s bad when people are getting nostalgic about the old Gold Play Button,” another added.

Despite the trophy drama, fans worldwide recognized the unbelievable journey MrBeast has been on. He began making content over a decade ago, obsessively learning how the YouTube algorithm worked. In his own words, posted to his followers on the day of the 400M milestone:

“A decade ago everyone told me I was too obsessed and would never make it. I loved making content so much I told my mom I’d rather be homeless than do anything else. Thanks to YouTube and you guys, I now have a purpose every single day.”

Today, that passion has paid off in massive ways. In 2024 alone, his brand empire—Beast Industries—brought in a staggering $473 million, and projections suggest it could double this year. His estimated net worth has now touched $1 billion, making him the eighth-youngest billionaire in the world—and the only one under 30 to reach that status without any inheritance.

He has also made headlines in India for interacting with major creators and even challenging T-Series CEO Bhushan Kumar to a mock boxing match—a playful nod to their historic subscriber rivalry. In a lighter moment last year, MrBeast and Bhushan even subscribed to each other’s channels, proving there’s room for competition and camaraderie in the YouTube world.

Whether or not people liked the Play Button design, there’s no denying the impact MrBeast has had—not just on YouTube, but on digital culture as a whole.  MrBeast is no longer just a content creator—he’s an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural force. His content regularly features life-changing giveaways, large-scale social experiments, and philanthropic stunts—from building homes to giving away cars, islands, and even entire businesses to those in need.

He creates videos centered around extreme challenges, massive giveaways, and surprising strangers with life-changing gifts. His content often includes stunts, competitions, and ambitious experiments designed to entertain and inspire. Most importantly, his videos help those in need—not just through entertainment, but by supporting schools, shelters, and more.