The Rise and Fall of Linus Tech Tips: How a YouTube Empire Crumbled Under Controversy

Linus Tech Tips was once the king of tech YouTube, with over 14 million subscribers and millions of views per video. The channel, founded by Linus Sebastian in 2008, was known for its informative and entertaining reviews of hardware, gadgets, and gaming products. But in recent months, the channel has faced a barrage of criticism, accusations, and scandals that have tarnished its reputation and credibility.

It all started in August 2023, when Gamers Nexus, another tech YouTube channel with 2 million subscribers, posted a video that exposed several errors and ethical issues in Linus Tech Tips’ videos¹. The video, which has amassed over 3.8 million views, claimed that Linus Tech Tips had published inaccurate data, used wrong components, and sold a prototype product without the manufacturer’s permission. Gamers Nexus also alleged that Linus Tech Tips had a culture of rushing content and prioritizing quantity over quality.

Linus Sebastian responded to the video on the Linus Tech Tips forum, admitting to some “sloppiness” and promising to improve his processes and communication². However, he also defended his channel and accused Gamers Nexus of being biased and sensationalist. He said that he had not sold the prototype product, but had auctioned it off at a fan event by mistake. He also said that he had not used wrong components, but had followed the manufacturer’s instructions.

Gamers Nexus was not satisfied with Linus Sebastian’s response, and posted another video on August 14th, titled “Linus Tech Tips Response is Disappointing Nonsense”³. The video rebutted Linus Sebastian’s claims and provided more evidence of his errors and ethical lapses. Gamers Nexus also interviewed a former employee of Linus Tech Tips, Madison Reeves, who revealed a toxic work environment and sexual harassment at the company⁴.

Reeves said that she had worked as a writer and researcher for Linus Tech Tips for two years, but had quit in July 2023 due to the unbearable stress and pressure. She said that she had been subjected to verbal abuse, unrealistic deadlines, and sexual advances from her co-workers. She also said that she had witnessed Linus Sebastian mistreating his staff, lying to his sponsors, and stealing ideas from other creators.

The allegations from Gamers Nexus and Reeves sparked a huge backlash from the tech community and the public. Many fans expressed their disappointment and anger at Linus Tech Tips on social media and online forums. Some demanded a public apology from Linus Sebastian, while others unsubscribed from his channel. Some sponsors also withdrew their support from Linus Tech Tips, citing concerns over their reputation and integrity.

On August 16th, Linus Sebastian posted an apology video on his channel, titled “What Do We Do Now?”⁵. In the video, he acknowledged his mistakes and apologized to his fans, his staff, his sponsors, and Gamers Nexus. He said that he was deeply sorry for letting everyone down and for hurting anyone with his actions. He also said that he had suspended video production for a week and had hired an outside investigator to look into the allegations of sexual harassment. He said that he was committed to making changes and restoring trust in his channel.

However, the apology video did not seem to appease many people. Some criticized Linus Sebastian for being insincere and evasive. Some questioned his sincerity and accountability. Some doubted his ability to reform his company and his channel. Some even accused him of trying to save face and salvage his business.

The controversy surrounding Linus Tech Tips has been one of the biggest scandals in tech YouTube history. It has exposed the dark side of the industry, where fame, money, and power can corrupt even the most popular and respected creators. It has also shown the importance of accuracy, ethics, and responsibility in tech journalism, where millions of consumers rely on honest and reliable information.

Linus Tech Tips may have been the rock star of tech YouTube, but it has fallen from grace under controversy. Whether it can rise again remains to be seen.