As of early 2026, hundreds of videos have reached 1 billion views, but a few key videos have marked significant, historic milestones in reaching this number on YouTube:
In November 2005, a Nike advertisement featuring Brazilian football player Ronaldinho became the first video to reach 1,000,000 views. The billion-view mark was first passed by Gangnam Style in December 2012. On January 13, 2022, Pinkfong's "Baby Shark" became the first video to hit 10,000,000,000 views.
On December 21, 2012, PSY's Gangnam Style became the first video on YouTube to hit 1 billion views, changing internet history forever.
Baby Shark became the most viewed video on YouTube when it reached 7 billion views in November 2020, surpassing the most viewed video at the time, Despacito.
The Minecraft community has crushed one trillion views on YouTube. Celebrate this huge milestone with a look back at some of the biggest moments in Minecraft history.
For 1 million views, you can expect to earn between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on niche, geography, and monetization structure. However, not everything is as simple as it seems. YouTube does not technically pay for views; it pays for monetized ad impressions.
Social media marketing professionals and industry watchers often classify "viral" videos as those with one million views in three days or three to five million views in a week.
He has since semi-retired from YouTube, choosing to upload less frequently and for his enjoyment rather than as a career. His content has since centered on his family life and personal interests.
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It became a global phenomenon, clocking up more than 16 billion views - YouTube's most watched video ever. That song was the incredibly catchy Baby Shark.
Global viral status typically requires 10–20 million views in the first week. YouTube Shorts have a lower threshold: 1–3 million views in 5–7 days is considered viral. Is 1 million views on Instagram viral? Yes.
"Baby Shark" became immensely popular when Pinkfong, a South Korean entertainment company, released a version of the song on June 17, 2016, with a YouTube music video which went viral on social media, in online videos, and on the radio.
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In January 2021, Baby Shark Dance became the first YouTube video to surpass 10 billion views, after snatching the crown of most-viewed YouTube video of all time from the former record holder "Despacito" one year before.
YouTube creator Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, is worth an estimated $2.6 billion on paper. In reality, though, he's said he keeps less than $1 million for himself, and right now, he has “negative money.”
On average, YouTubers earn $0.001 to $0.01 per view, depending on their CPM. For example, a video with 1 million views might earn between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on the niche and audience demographics.
YouTube expanded their Partner Program. Now you can start monetizing at 500 subscribers. Yeah, you read that right. Half the original requirement.
TikTok pays creators between $400 and $1000 for 1 million views through the Creator Rewards Program. It's essential to note that the exact payment amount may depend on factors such as engagement, the location of viewers, or the quality of the content.