Linus Sebastian

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Linus Sebastian
Sebastian in 2023
Born
Linus Gabriel Sebastian

(1986-08-20) August 20, 1986 (age 38)
Ladner, British Columbia, Canada
Occupations
  • YouTuber
  • Video presenter
  • technology demonstrator
Years active2007–present
Known forFounding of Linus Media Group
Height5 ft 6 in (167 cm)[1][2]
Title
Spouse
Yvonne Ho
​
(m. 2011)​
Children3
YouTube information
ChannelsLinus Tech Tips and others owned by Linus Media Group (see list)
GenreTechnology
Subscribers16.3 million (main channel)
32.31 million (combined)[a]
Views8.6 billion (main channel)
11.37 billion (combined)[b]
Silver Play Button100,000 subscribers2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023[citation needed]
Gold Play Button1,000,000 subscribers2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022[citation needed]
Diamond Play Button10,000,000 subscribers2020[citation needed]
Last updated: May 12, 2025
Websitelinusmediagroup.com
Signature

Linus Gabriel Sebastian (born August 20, 1986) is a Canadian YouTuber, best known for creating and hosting YouTube technology-focused channels. On November 24, 2008, he uploaded the first video to his flagship channel, Linus Tech Tips (LTT). By December 1, 2024 LTT has amassed 16 million subscribers and more than 8.27 billion views.[14] Across all his channels, Sebastian has over 32 million subscribers[a] and more than 11.04 billion views.[b]

Before launching his own media company in October 2012[15], Sebastian served as the principal on-camera presenter for the now-defunct Canadian computer retailer NCIX. In late 2012, he founded Linus Media Group (LMG), formally launching it in 2013.[16][17] He led LMG as its CEO until July 1, 2023 when he transitioned to the role of chief vision officer to focus on the company's long-term strategy and creative directions.[17][18][19]

Biography

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Linus Gabriel Sebastian[20] was born on August 20, 1986,[21] and grew up on a hobby farm in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.[22][23] He was diagnosed with ADHD as a child.[24] Prior to his technology career, Sebastian briefly worked as a painter by trade.[25]

Sebastian has been married to Yvonne Ho since April 2011. He is also the father of three children: a son and two daughters.[26]

Career

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See also: Linus Media Group § History

Sebastian worked for the Canadian online computer store NCIX[27] in various roles, including as a sales representative and product manager.[28] He was asked to be the host for its technology channel, which was created to help demonstrate products.[29] Sebastian shot videos with a camera borrowed from the son of the company's president.[30] The first official NCIX Tech Tips video for YouTube was uploaded on 25 July 2007.[31]

Due to high production costs, rising brand partner demands, and relatively low viewership,[30] Sebastian was instructed to create the Linus Tech Tips channel; this would allow Sebastian to produce content more rapidly, initially at a lower production value kept distinct from the NCIX brand.[30] He described TigerDirect and Newegg as competitors.[30] Linus Tech Tips was created on November 24, 2008.[32] He eventually left NCIX and founded Linus Media Group (LMG) following a dispute regarding company management. He negotiated an agreement in which he could keep Linus Tech Tips as a property of LMG, as long as he signed a long-term agreement to help build an in-house NCIX video team and signed a non-compete clause.[33]

Sebastian in a 2013 video

In May of 2023 it was announced that Sebastian would be stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of Linus Media Group in July of 2023. He then transitioned into a creative role entitled Chief Vision Officer,[17][18] and continues to be involved in the writing, production, and the core philosophy of the company's business.[34]

In August 2023, a controversy emerged after Gamers Nexus, a YouTube channel, published a video about Sebastian and Linus Media Group,[35] stating that Sebastian had inappropriately demonstrated a prototype water block made by manufacturer Billet Labs by installing it on hardware for which it was not designed, and questioned the "accuracy, ethics, and responsibility" of the production.[36][37][38][39] LMG was also criticized for failing to return the water block to Billet Labs, and instead selling it in a charity auction, which Sebastian said was the result of a "miscommunication".[36] LMG paused video production while it investigated the claims.[39][38] In a response, Sebastian rejected that LMG had an accuracy issue but regretted how the situation was handled, particularly a decision to not re-test the unit, and said that LMG would review and improve internal processes.[36][16][40]

On January 13, 2025, Sebastian made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where he demonstrated technology from the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show.[41]

Notable events

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In a 2014 interview with technology startup website Tech.co, Sebastian said that his favourite YouTubers were TotalBiscuit, Marques Brownlee, and Austin Evans.[42]

In September 2021, Sebastian disclosed a personal investment of nearly $225,000 in Framework Computer, a manufacturer of modular laptops.[43]

On March 24, 2023, Sebastian declared on the Linus Tech Tips channel, that they had suffered a session hijacking attack, which caused them to temporarily lose their channel.[44]

On April 2, 2025, Linus Media Group (Canada) and KIOXIA (USA) achieved a Guinness World Record for calculating the most accurate value of pi.[45][46][47]

Listicles

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Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Inc. (magazine) 2015 Top 30 Power Players in Tech 4th [48]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Subscribers, broken down by channel:[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
    • 16.3 million (Linus Tech Tips)
    • 4.33 million (Techquickie)
    • 1.95 million (TechLinked)
    • 2.42 million (ShortCircuit)
    • 1.26 million (Channel Super Fun)
    • 596 thousand (LMG Clips)
    • 613 thousand (Mac Address)
    • 235 thousand (LinusCatTips)
    • 32.6 thousand (PSU Circuit)
    • 139 thousand (They're Just Movies)
    • 474 thousand (GameLinked)
  2. ^ a b Views, broken down by channel:[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][13][12]
    • 8.05 billion (Linus Tech Tips)
    • 876.5 million (Techquickie)
    • 527.4 million (TechLinked)
    • 566.45 million (ShortCircuit)
    • 372.23 million (Channel Super Fun)
    • 264.79 million (LMG Clips)
    • 125.15 million (Mac Address)
    • 11.16 million (LinusCatTips)
    • 4.68 million (They're Just Movies)
    • 25 million (GameLinked)

References

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  1. ^ "Linus Sebastian Height (CelebHeights)". CelebHeights.com. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  2. ^ "Linus Sebastian Height (TheFamousPeople)". TheFamousPeople.com. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Linus Tech Tips's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "TechQuickie's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "TechLinked's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Gamelinked's Youtube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "ShortCircuit's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Mac Address's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Channel Super Fun's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "They're Just Movies's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "LinusCatTips's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "LMG's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  13. ^ "LinusCatTips's TouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  14. ^ "Linus Tech Tips's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Linus Media Group Inc". OrgBook BC. Government of British Columbia. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  16. ^ a b Davis, Wes (August 26, 2023). "Linus Sebastian addresses error handling and ethics in a new video". The Verge. Retrieved May 9, 2024. Linus Media Group (LMG) founder Linus Sebastian explained LMG's HR policies and how it will improve accuracy and ethics in a video posted to YouTube last night.
  17. ^ a b c Murray, Conor (August 17, 2023). "YouTube Channel Linus Tech Tips' Inaccuracies And Sexual Harassment Allegations, Explained". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2024. The company was led by Sebastian, who founded the channel, until he stepped down as CEO in July 2023 to become the company's chief vision officer.
  18. ^ a b Boyd, Daniel (May 19, 2023). "Linus Sebastian is Stepping Down from Linus Tech Tips". Game Rant. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  19. ^ Colin and Samir (December 26, 2024). An Unfiltered Conversation with Linus Tech Tips. Retrieved December 28, 2024 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ Sebastian, Linus Gabriel (November 3, 2012). Linus Tech Tips Live Show Archive - November 2, 2012 (Video). Linus Media Group Inc. Event occurs at 1:30:26 – via YouTube. That's my middle name, actually! Gabriel.
  21. ^ Linus Tech Tips [@LinusTech] (August 20, 2014). "Me: Holy crap I'm gonna be 29 in an hour! Wife: 28.... Me: Oh, that's better Wife: My goodness..." (Tweet). Retrieved October 22, 2016 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ I Make Questionable Choices Sometimes... Linus Media Group. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  23. ^ Sebastian, Linus (September 14, 2022). This Is So Embarrassing! (Video). Linus Media Group. Retrieved September 14, 2022 – via YouTube.
  24. ^ LinusTechTips (January 28, 2022). r/PCMasterRace Hates Me... The WAN Show (YouTube video). Event occurs at 1:48:30. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  25. ^ LMG Clips (April 13, 2022). The Paint Rant. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2025 – via YouTube. With the new house being painted, are you comfortable with others doing it, or would you rather do it, considering you used to work as a painter?
  26. ^ "Tech Expert and Famous Canadian Youtuber Linus Sebastian's Family Life: A Journey of Love and Innovation". Outlook India. August 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  27. ^ "I'm Linus Sebastian of LinusTechTips, and This Is How I Work". LifeHacker. July 29, 2015. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  28. ^ "Our Team". Linus Media Group. 2018. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  29. ^ Ovide, Shira (February 15, 2022). "This YouTube Star Is Also a Retail Empire". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  30. ^ a b c d "How I became: LinusTechTips (Linus Sebastian)". How I became. March 24, 2014. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2016 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ NCIX Tech Tips (July 24, 2007). Sunbeam Tuniq Tower (NCIX Tech Tips #1). Archived from the original on June 5, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2025 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ "About". Linus Tech Tips. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016 – via YouTube.
  33. ^ "Why Linus Left NCIX". August 2, 2020. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2021 – via YouTube.
  34. ^ Shepherd, Ian. "Leading Creator Reveals How He Makes Money—And It's Not What You Think". Forbes. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  35. ^ Burke, Stephen (August 14, 2023). "The Problem with Linus Tech Tips: Accuracy, Ethics, & Responsibility". www.youtube.com.
  36. ^ a b c Andy Chalk (August 15, 2023). "The recent criticism of Linus Tech Tips, explained". PC Gamer. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  37. ^ Cranz, Alex (August 16, 2023). "Linus Tech Tips pauses production as controversy swirls". The Verge. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  38. ^ a b Ghania, Yasmine (August 19, 2023). "Why a B.C. YouTube empire suddenly became mired in controversy". CBC. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  39. ^ a b Donovan, Imogen (August 17, 2023). "What's happening with Linus Tech Tips and why has it halted production?". NME. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  40. ^ Norton, Brad (August 15, 2023). "Linus admits to "sloppiness" in Gamers Nexus response but lashes out at public criticism". Dexerto. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  41. ^ "Bad Bunny and Jimmy Fallon Try Out Crazy Gadgets with Tech Tips' Linus Sebastian". NBC. January 14, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  42. ^ Diab, Ann. "Secrets of the Most Successful Tech YouTube Content Creators Revealed". Tech.co. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  43. ^ Sebastian, Linus (September 15, 2021). I'm Legally Obligated to Disclose This - Framework investment. Linus Tech Tips. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  44. ^ Linus Tech Tips (March 24, 2023). My Channel Was Deleted Last Night. Retrieved June 18, 2025 – via YouTube.
  45. ^ Linus Tech Tips (May 16, 2025). This World Record took YEARS (and a Million dollars..). Retrieved June 15, 2025 – via YouTube.
  46. ^ Guinness World Records, ed. (April 2, 2025). "Most Accurate Value of Pi". Guinness World Records. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  47. ^ "KIOXIA and Linus Media Group Set World Record for Pi Calculation". www.businesswire.com. Business Wire. May 16, 2025. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  48. ^ Rampton, John (July 21, 2015). "30 Power Players in Tech You Need to Know". Inc. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
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