Welcome to Created, the newsletter that’s more reliable than your New Years resolutions. Here’s what we got today:
- YouTubers sue PayPal over Honey scam
- Binging with Babish raises $3M to expand channel
- Outlier of the week
LegalEagle and Wendover Productions Sue Honey
Recently, YouTuber MegaLag posted a bombshell video accusing Honey of one of the biggest scams in YouTube history.
Now, LegalEagle and Wendover Productions are suing PayPal, the owner of Honey, to fight back.
The Scam
Honey sponsored countless creators to promote a browser extension which claimed to find the best deals on the internet.
But investigations revealed Honey allegedly:
- Hijacks Links by stealing commissions meant for creators.
- Withholds Discounts by hiding better coupon codes to favor its business partners.
- Deceives Users with misleading cashback incentives.
The Lawsuit
I asked Devin Stone (aka LegalEagle) about the lawsuit, and he didn’t hold back:
“The entire internet relies on attribution tracking to know who referred a customer and compensate the creator accordingly. We believe Honey completely disrupts that system.”
He explained that the lawsuit will force Honey to disclose how often they replaced creators’ affiliate links with their own.
“Honey knows how much harm they caused, and we’re going to find out,” Stone added.
“We will engage in discovery to see how many times they removed a creator’s credit and supplanted their own and how much revenue they made by doing so.”
The damages could be massive, potentially reaching billions of dollars.
Creators Speak Out
Top creators like MKBHD and Linus Tech Tips once promoted Honey, but recently spoke out:
- On Jan 1, Marques Brownlee said: "They paid creators upfront and then stole from our back pockets with affiliate hijacking. If I’d known, I never would’ve worked with them."
- On Dec 27, Linus Tech Tips said they dropped Honey: "We had a call with their execs, and it was clear they weren’t going to change their practices."
- On Dec 23, Austin Evans added: "I will, under no circumstances, work with Honey ever again."
Our Take
This lawsuit isn’t just about Honey. It’s an important moment for the creator economy.
It’s empowering to see creators like Stone using his platform — and expertise — to fight for the community.
If he prevails, it not only force Honey to pay up, but set a new precedent for transparency in affiliate marketing.
In addition MegaLag’s initial video on Honey, we highly encourage you to watch Stone’s recent video for more details.
Get Involved
If you’ve been harmed by Honey or know creators who have, reach out: honeycase@eagleteam.law
Binging with Babish Expands His Culinary Universe
Andrew Rea, the creator behind the Babish Culinary Universe turned cooking videos in his apartment into a $20M brand.
With over 10M YouTube subscribers, a product line at Walmart, and a $20M valuation, Rea is redefining what a creator-led brand can achieve.
I interviewed him to learn how he got here and where he’s headed next.
Adapting To Algorithm
Rea’s hit series Binging With Babish recreates iconic foods from movies, TV, and video games, offering fans a tangible way to experience their favorite fiction.
He’s expanded into other formats like Basics With Babish (cooking fundamentals) and Ranked With Babish (testing products), keeping pace with YouTube’s evolving algorithm.
In 2023, Rea secured $3M from Made In Network, allowing him to:
- Hire more team members.
- Maintain a consistent schedule of three videos per week.
- Explore ambitious projects like high-production trips and product launches.
Beyond YouTube
Rea is using his newfound resources to expand beyond the screen:
- Bed & Babish: A culinary-themed Airbnb concept with fully stocked kitchens and exclusive recipes.
- Japan Trip: A 10-day shoot blending travel, culture, and cuisine, inspired by Japanese cinema and food.
- Product Expansion: From infused sugar collaborations to kitchen tools at Walmart, Babish-branded products continue to grow.
Getting Honest about Mental Health
In 2022, Rea said he hit a low point that forced him to reimagine his work:
“This experience, as difficult as it was, smacked me back down to earth,” he said. “Thanks to the support of my team, friends, and family…I can now work regular hours and have a life outside of it. That has saved me.”
🎯 Weekly Roundup: Thumbnails
Here’s why we love these YT thumbnails. Hopefully, they inspire your next one.
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- Home Alone kid’s face + surreal candle head grabs attention (Dodford)
- Dramatic scenery + truck crossing a river create an adventurous feel (Drew Simms)
- “New ocean” text + ocean image in Africa create instant intrigue (fern)
- Shocked expression + formula one setup stops your scroll (Michelle Khare)
🚀 Weekly Outlier
This video by Fortune Finders Jackpots has got 126K views which is 17.6 times higher than the channel’s average. Here’s why it took off:
- Inside Look: For many, dumpster diving is a mystery, and this video offers a firsthand look into it.
- Surprising Finds: The sheer amount of surprising finds keeps you watching to see what they’ll find next.
- Feel-Good Vibes: Leaving items for others adds a heartwarming community touch.
Sponsored by Thinkific
Why I Launched a Course with Thinkific
Last year, I launched an accelerator program called Insider Accelerator to help creators like you.
And when I did, I launched with Thinkific. It’s an amazing platform to turn your expertise into a thriving business.
Thinkific’s software and tools are easy to use, look professional, and can be tailor-fit to your brand.
It’s not just courses, either. You can sell digital downloads, workshops, webinars, community spaces for members, or even 1-on-1 private coaching sessions.
You can build custom landing pages and marketing emails, and easily integrate to Salesforce or Mailchimp. Thinkific even helps you sell, with order bumps, product bundles, and financing.
If you’re ready to turn your expertise into income, get started with Thinkific here.
💰 Job Board
- Kate Mackz is hiring a thumbnail designer
- Dimucc is hiring a short-form sketch comedy video editor
- Benny Johnson is hiring a video editor
🏆 The Created Referral Program
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Refer 5 friends: you’ll get my Top 50 Thumbnails book. It includes a detailed breakdown of why they work so you improve your packaging.
Trust me, these books are packed with more tips than most paid courses.
Copy this unique link and email, text, or post it: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]
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– Jon
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