Summary
Highlights
Linus Sebastian started Linus Tech Tips (LTT) in 2008 from his bedroom, growing it into a 100-person company with 10 channels. At its peak, LTT was one of YouTube's largest and most influential tech channels, even receiving a $100 million buyout offer which Linus declined.
In August 2022, LTT launched a $250 tech backpack. When asked about the warranty, Linus initially dismissed the need for a formal policy, stating, 'You either trust me to do the right thing or you don't.' This sparked widespread backlash from viewers who accused LTT of hypocrisy, given their past critiques of other companies' warranty policies. Although a formal warranty was eventually added, Linus mocked critics by selling 'Trust Me Bro' warranty t-shirts.
At LTX 2023, an LTT employee boasted about their testing process, claiming superiority over channels like Gamers Nexus and Hardware Unboxed. Hardware Unboxed retaliated by questioning LTT's testing claims. Gamers Nexus then released a 40-minute video titled 'The Problem with Linus Tech Tips: Accuracy, Ethics, and Responsibility,' exposing consistent errors in LTT's reviews and alleged conflicts of interest.
Gamers Nexus highlighted LTT’s flawed review of a Billet Labs copper water cooler prototype. LTT incorrectly tested the product on an incompatible GPU, leading to a negative review. Furthermore, LTT auctioned off the prototype for charity without Billet Labs' permission, later claiming 'miscommunication' and only offering reimbursement after public outcry.
The Short Circuit team, part of LTT, published a negative review of a Pwnage gaming mouse, claiming it wasn't smooth. Pwnage informed LMG that the protective film had not been removed from the mouse feet. LTT initially denied this, but eventually admitted the error and apologized, editing the video and unlisting it.
Following the testing controversies, former LTT employee Madison Reev posted a detailed thread alleging a toxic workplace, belittlement by management, excessive workload, micromanagement, and sexual harassment. These serious accusations led to further fan outrage and a loss of 200,000 subscribers in August 2023. LTT announced an internal assessment and a third-party investigation.
In December 2024 (a hypothetical future date for the video), a YouTuber exposed Honey for stealing affiliate commissions from creators by overriding their tracking cookies. LTT, a major promoter of Honey with 160 sponsored segments, knew about this issue since 2020 but failed to warn other creators or their audience. Linus's explanation for this silence was criticized as self-serving.
LTT's viewership sharply declined by 50% in September 2025 (a hypothetical future date for the video), a drop Linus acknowledged might be due to past controversies. Despite this, in April 2026 (a hypothetical future date for the video), Linus showcased his purchase of a private jet, claiming it cost '$0' through 'girl math.' This move was widely criticized as tone-deaf and out of touch, especially given his past stance against private air travel.