What does 1.23 K subscribers mean?

On YouTube, the "K" stands for "thousand". So 1.23K subscribers means 1,230 subscribers.

YouTube uses this shorthand once an account goes over 1,000 subscribers to make large numbers easier to read at a glance. Some other examples:

  • 1.5K = 1,500 subscribers
  • 10K = 10,000 subscribers
  • 500K = 500,000 subscribers

The same formatting is used for other counts like video views:

  • 1.2K views = 1,200 views
  • 150K views = 150,000 views

Key YouTube subscriber milestones

Reaching certain subscriber counts unlocks important features and partnerships for YouTube creators:

  • 1,000 subscribers – Gets access to monetization features like AdSense. This is when you can start earning money directly from YouTube.
  • 100,000 subscribers – Considered an "influencer" with a sizable audience. Brand sponsorship deals open up.
  • 1 million subscribers – Viewed as a very successful, "big time" YouTuber. Can make a full-time living from video revenue.

How YouTubers earn money

Once monetization is enabled, the main ways YouTubers make money are:

  • AdSense – Ads play before/during videos. Creators earn a percentage of the ad revenue.
  • Channel memberships – Fans pay a monthly fee for exclusive perks like custom badges, extra content.
  • Sponsorships – Paid partnerships with brands to promote products. Rates based on subscriber and view counts.
  • Merchandise – YouTubers earn profits from branded merch they sell.

Here are estimated earnings for different subscriber counts*:

SubscribersAnnual Earnings
1,000$3,000
100,000$40,000
500,000$200,000
1+ million$300,000+

* Rough estimates only; actual revenue varies based on view counts, CPM rates, etc.

Tips for growing your channel

Here are some best practices to gain subscribers and views on YouTube:

  • Commit to a content calendar – Post consistently, at least 1-2X per week
  • Optimize thumbnails – Use bright colors and compelling imagery
  • Engage with viewers – Reply to comments, create community posts
  • Promote outside YouTube – Share your videos on social media

When you see "1.23K" on YouTube, it means 1,230 subscribers. The "K" is shorthand for thousand to make big numbers easy to read.

Key milestones are 1K (monetization access), 100K (influencer status) and 1M (full-time income potential). Revenue mainly comes from ads, memberships and sponsorships.

Focus on quality over quantity for uploads, fine-tune thumbnails and engage your community if you want to move from 1.23K up to the next level!

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