The leaked 36-page document, allegedly written by Jimmy Donaldson himself, serves as a comprehensive guide for new employees at MrBeast Productions12. It aims to share knowledge gained over a decade of running one of YouTube's most successful channels, covering topics ranging from video production strategies to company culture1. The handbook's existence was first revealed by YouTuber Rosanna Pansino, who posted about it on August 13, 20242.

The primary objective outlined in the handbook is to produce the best possible YouTube videos, emphasizing adaptability to platform trends over production quality or humor alone. Employees are categorized into three tiers: A Players (crucial, dedicated staff), B Players (solid contributors), and C Players (underperformers slated for transition out)1. This controversial classification system has been criticized for potentially fostering a toxic work environment, as it encourages intense competition and may lead to job insecurity23.

• The handbook starts with a motivational incentive, offering $1,000 to employees who read and pass a quiz on its contents1.

• It emphasizes that the primary goal is to create the best YouTube videos possible, not necessarily the highest quality or funniest content1.

• The document outlines a strict formula for MrBeast videos, broken down into specific time segments:

  1. The first minute must capture viewer attention and meet thumbnail expectations

  2. Minutes 1-3 have specific content requirements

  3. Minutes 3-6 serve a particular purpose

  4. The final segment (6-end) has its own defined responsibilities1

• A "wow factor" is encouraged in videos, exemplified by extravagant stunts like bringing in a house by crane for a challenge video1.

• The handbook stresses the importance of YouTube-specific metrics:

  • Click-Through Rate (CTR) for thumbnails

  • Average View Duration (AVD)

  • Audience Participation (AP)2

• Content creation strategies focus on viral potential rather than traditional production values, with examples like "I Spent 50 Hours In Ketchup" being deemed more clickable than "I Spent 50 Hours In My Front Yard"1.

• The document emphasizes intense management and coordination, encouraging employees to directly address bottlenecks in production1.

• It categorizes employees into A, B, and C players, with a strong emphasis on constant learning and improvement1.

• The handbook has sparked controversy due to its portrayal of company culture, with critics arguing it promotes a potentially toxic work environment3.

• Some former employees have confirmed the document's authenticity, adding credibility to its contents2.