section_path: YouTube content
section_name: YouTube content
paragraph_text: YouTube content
  
  In his early career, Donaldson's content usually consisted of Let's Plays, "best and worst" videos, and YouTube commentary. Donaldson's present-day videos are categorized into three genres: stunt videos, where Donaldson or other participants perform challenges that are interesting, challenging, or dangerous; "junklord" videos, where Donaldson uses a large quantity of a particular product unusually or spends an extravagant amount on it; and giveaway videos, where Donaldson gives away large amounts of money or extravagant prizes to people, usually including a competitive aspect. Giveaway videos are considered a distinctive feature of Donaldson's content.
  
  Donaldson's videos leverage YouTube's recommendation algorithm to go viral, mainly by maximizing click-through rate and viewer retention. He prioritizes creating effective topics, titles, and thumbnails to maximize the click-through rate. In an interview with Lex Fridman, he stated that for him to make a viral video, it needed to be "original, creative, something people really need to see, ideally never been done before". He designed his titles to attract attention by promising outrageous stunts and using specific keywords like "24-hours" and "challenge". His thumbnails are easily understandable, clearly focused, and brightly colored. To maximize viewer retention, Donaldson paces the videos to have viewers engaged throughout. His videos typically span 10–30 minutes. He hooks viewers by explaining the premise in under half a minute at the start of the video and promises a "finale" to engage viewers until the end.
  
  Donaldson's funding for these videos mainly comes from sponsorships, as well as Google's AdSense program. In 2022, Donaldson was reported to spend about $1 million on each video. Donaldson uses his reaction and gaming channel to help finance his main channel, as their videos are relatively cheap to produce and make a substantial amount of money. The Verge noted that his revenue is self-perpetuating: "The more viral he becomes, the more brands want to work with him, and the bigger his own AdSense earnings get. He can then entice viewers with even bigger giveaway videos. It's a never ending cycle." In an interview with Rolling Stone, he stated, "I could be doing cheaper videos, But I just don't want to. I want to push the boundaries to go bigger, bigger." Donaldson earns passive income through merchandise, MrBeast Burger, and Feastables.
  
  As of 2023, Donaldson employs over 250 people, from writers to editors to producers. Many employees include people familiar with Donaldson, such as friends and family members.
  
  In his early career, Donaldson's content usually consisted of Let's Plays, "best and worst" videos, and YouTube commentary. Donaldson's present-day videos are categorized into three genres: stunt videos, where Donaldson or other participants perform challenges that are interesting, challenging, or dangerous; "junklord" videos, where Donaldson uses a large quantity of a particular product unusually or spends an extravagant amount on it; and giveaway videos, where Donaldson gives away large amounts of money or extravagant prizes to people, usually including a competitive aspect. Giveaway videos are considered a distinctive feature of Donaldson's content.
  
  Donaldson's videos leverage YouTube's recommendation algorithm to go viral, mainly by maximizing click-through rate and viewer retention. He prioritizes creating effective topics, titles, and thumbnails to maximize the click-through rate. In an interview with Lex Fridman, he stated that for him to make a viral video, it needed to be "original, creative, something people really need to see, ideally never been done before". He designed his titles to attract attention by promising outrageous stunts and using specific keywords like "24-hours" and "challenge". His thumbnails are easily understandable, clearly focused, and brightly colored. To maximize viewer retention, Donaldson paces the videos to have viewers engaged throughout. His videos typically span 10–30 minutes. He hooks viewers by explaining the premise in under half a minute at the start of the video and promises a "finale" to engage viewers until the end.
  
  Donaldson's funding for these videos mainly comes from sponsorships, as well as Google's AdSense program. In 2022, Donaldson was reported to spend about $1 million on each video. Donaldson uses his reaction and gaming channel to help finance his main channel, as their videos are relatively cheap to produce and make a substantial amount of money. The Verge noted that his revenue is self-perpetuating: "The more viral he becomes, the more brands want to work with him, and the bigger his own AdSense earnings get. He can then entice viewers with even bigger giveaway videos. It's a never ending cycle." In an interview with Rolling Stone, he stated, "I could be doing cheaper videos, But I just don't want to. I want to push the boundaries to go bigger, bigger." Donaldson earns passive income through merchandise, MrBeast Burger, and Feastables.
  
  As of 2023, Donaldson employs over 250 people, from writers to editors to producers. Many employees include people familiar with Donaldson, such as friends and family members.