YouTube’s Recognition System for Content Creators
YouTube, owned by Google, has established a recognition system for content creators based on the number of subscribers they reach. Over its two decades, seven levels of awards have been achieved, all by MrBeast, the most-followed YouTuber in platform history.
A Brief History of YouTube
YouTube’s journey began 20 years ago with the upload of “Me at the Zoo” on April 23, 2005. Since then, it has transformed the way the world consumes content, becoming the most visited video site globally.
In its two decades, over 20 billion videos have been shared on the platform, including music, podcasts, Shorts, live streams, educational content, and more. This ecosystem has given rise to a new professional figure: the content creator or YouTuber.
Being a YouTuber is no longer just a hobby; it’s a full-time career requiring planning, strategy, audiovisual production, editing, and a deep understanding of audiences. According to Remitly’s analysis, being a YouTuber is one of the most aspirational professions in Latin America, including Mexico.
YouTube’s Monetization and Recognition Programs
Through the YouTube Partner Program, creators can monetize their content through advertising, channel memberships, super chats, in-stream purchases, and more. To access these benefits, creators must meet certain requirements: a minimum number of subscribers, watch hours, and two-step verification.
Beyond the economic aspect, YouTube also publicly acknowledges the growth of its creators through a system of awards known as Creator Awards. These recognitions are granted upon reaching specific subscriber milestones.
“The YouTube Creator Awards are our way of recognizing the extraordinary effort creators put into growing their channels and building thriving communities responsibly,” states YouTube on its official support page.
What Awards Does YouTube Offer Based on Subscribers?
As of now, seven growth levels are known:
| NUMBER OF SUBSCRIBERS | AWARD GIVEN |
|---|---|
| 100,000 | Silver Plaque |
| 1,000,000 | Gold Plaque |
| 10,000,000 | Diamond Plaque |
| 100,000,000 | Red Diamond Creator Award |
| 200,000,000 | Custom Button (non-standard design) |
| 300,000,000 | Special green button |
| 400,000,000 | Special blue button |
Starting from 200 million subscribers, YouTube offers a unique and personalized award tailored to the channel’s identity. Though not part of the official catalog, it has been publicly confirmed by creators who have received it.
MrBeast: The Sole Creator with All Seven Awards
The only YouTuber to have achieved all seven recognized levels is MrBeast, the artistic name of American content creator Jimmy Donaldson. With over 419 million subscribers on his channel, Donaldson has become the most followed personality in platform history.
MrBeast revealed his complete collection of awards received from YouTube via a post on social media. His success extends beyond numbers; according to Celebrity Net Worth, at 27, his fortune amounts to $1 billion, accumulated through content monetization and businesses he has established leveraging his YouTube popularity.
- MrBeast Burger: A virtual restaurant chain
- Feastables: His healthy snack brand
- Beast Games: A reality show produced for Amazon Prime
- MrBeast Lab: His venture into the toy market
MrBeast has expanded beyond YouTube, establishing himself as a global brand.
