The full story of BLACKPINK - 'Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez)' M/V
An original, data-driven analysis built from YTBVC's own tracking - view velocity, rankings, milestone projections and earnings estimates YouTube doesn't publish.
A billion-view milestone in context
The music video for BLACKPINK's song 'Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez)' is a notable example of a video that has achieved immense popularity, with a view count of 1,009,995,877, solidly placing it in the billion-view club. This milestone is significant, as it ranks the video #1,018 out of 1,034 videos that have crossed the billion-view threshold, a testament to its enduring appeal. Crossing the billion-view mark is a rare achievement, indicating a video has become a cultural phenomenon, with a broad and dedicated audience.
The video's view count is a reflection of its widespread popularity, and its ranking among billion-view videos provides context for its achievement. As one of the most-watched videos of all time, it tends to appeal to a diverse audience, likely including fans of K-pop and music enthusiasts in general. The fact that it has gained approximately 2,459,995 views in the last 30 days, with an average of around 81,999 views per day, suggests that it continues to attract new viewers, while also maintaining a loyal fan base.
The 'Ice Cream' music video was published on August 28, 2020, and in the nearly six years since its release, it has become a staple of popular culture. As a music video, it is categorized under the music genre, where it ranks #632 out of 642 videos, indicating that while it may not be the most-watched music video, it still holds a significant position within its category. The video's success can be measured not only in terms of its view count but also in terms of its estimated ad earnings, which are approximately $1,968 per month, based on a revenue per mille of $0.80.
This achievement is a reflection of the video's ability to engage audiences and generate revenue, likely due to its catchy melody, colorful visuals, and the popularity of the artists involved. The fact that the video continues to gain views and earn revenue nearly six years after its release is a testament to its timelessness and the dedication of its fan base. As the article delves deeper into the video's performance and impact, it will explore the factors that have contributed to its success and what its billion-view milestone signifies in the context of the music industry and popular culture.
The video's billion-view milestone is also significant in the context of the artists involved, particularly BLACKPINK, a K-pop group from South Korea, and Selena Gomez, an American singer. The collaboration between these two artists from different cultural backgrounds tends to appeal to a broad audience, likely including fans of both K-pop and Western music. The video's success can be seen as a reflection of the growing popularity of K-pop worldwide, and its ability to transcend cultural boundaries and appeal to a diverse audience.
The road to one billion views
The official music video for Ice Cream by BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez occupies a distinct position in the archive of digital media, having surpassed the one billion view milestone on the YouTube platform. Since its publication on August 28, 2020, the video has remained accessible to global audiences for approximately 5.9 years. This tenure suggests that the content benefited from significant initial momentum, consistent with the international profiles of its featured artists, before settling into a more stabilized phase of long-term viewership. Within the context of the platform, the video currently holds a rank of 1,018 out of 1,034 videos that have achieved the billion-view threshold.
The trajectory of the video indicates a steady, enduring interest from the public over the course of nearly six years. While many music videos experience a rapid surge of views upon release, the cumulative total of 1,009,995,877 suggests that the video continues to function as an evergreen asset for the BLACKPINK channel. The recent performance metrics reflect this ongoing engagement, with approximately 2,459,995 views gained over the last 30 days. This equates to an average daily intake of about 81,999 views, demonstrating that while the peak interest period has passed, the content maintains a reliable daily audience that likely consists of repeat viewers and new discovery traffic.
Given the channel's origin in South Korea and the primary language of the track, the video appears to have a strong foundation within the K-pop demographic, though its collaborative nature with a prominent American artist likely encouraged a broad cross-section of international viewers. This combination of factors has allowed the video to maintain a consistent presence in the music category, where it is currently ranked 632 out of 642 entries. The consistent daily view count, when adjusted for a standard revenue per mille of 0.80 dollars, results in estimated ad earnings of roughly 1,968 dollars per month. This figure serves as a financial indicator of the video's continued relevance in a competitive digital landscape. Overall, the path to one billion views for this production reflects a transition from high-velocity release-day traffic to a sustainable, long-term pattern of discovery and consumption, typical of high-profile music collaborations that remain active in the recommendations algorithms of global users several years after their initial debut.
Current momentum and view velocity
The music video for Ice Cream by BLACKPINK featuring Selena Gomez, which premiered on August 28, 2020, currently sustains a stable presence within the ecosystem of billion-view content. With a total accumulation of 1,009,995,877 views, the video occupies the 1,018th position among all videos to have crossed the billion-view threshold. Now approximately 5.9 years removed from its initial release, the video continues to attract a steady stream of viewers, suggesting that it has moved past its period of viral expansion and into a phase characterized by long-term archival consumption.
Current metrics indicate that the video maintains a consistent, albeit modest, rate of viewership. Over the most recent 30-day period, the content accrued approximately 2,459,995 views. This results in an average daily output of roughly 81,999 views. Such figures imply that the video is not experiencing a rapid climb in its all-time rankings, but rather a slow, plateaued accumulation. Given that the video is presently ranked 632nd out of 642 billion-view videos within the music category, its current velocity suggests it is unlikely to gain significant ground against higher-ranking content in the immediate future.
The ongoing interest in the video likely stems from both a dedicated international fanbase and the appeal of the collaboration between the K-pop group and the American artist. Because the primary language of the channel is Korean and the content originated from a South Korean publisher, the steady view count suggests that the video remains a core element of the group's digital catalog, which new listeners or recurring fans continue to discover or revisit. This steady performance pattern is typical for high-profile music videos that have transitioned from contemporary hits into legacy assets within the broader library of global media.
From a financial perspective, the current view velocity facilitates a reliable, albeit limited, stream of revenue. Based on an estimated revenue per mille, or RPM, of $0.80, the video is projected to generate approximately $1,968 in monthly ad earnings. This estimation reflects the realities of older content, where the focus has shifted from high-intensity promotional engagement to passive, long-tail monetization. While the video remains firmly within the billion-view tier, its metrics indicate a mature lifecycle, where the priority for the channel appears to be maintaining archival visibility rather than pursuing aggressive growth through new algorithmic pushes or heavy promotional activity.
Global reach and where it resonates
The music video for Ice Cream, a collaborative effort between the group BLACKPINK and artist Selena Gomez, serves as a significant entry in the group's digital catalog, having surpassed the one billion view threshold. Published on August 28, 2020, the video has maintained a steady presence on the platform for approximately 5.9 years. With a current total of 1,009,995,877 views, it holds the 1,018th position among all videos that have reached the billion-view milestone. While its performance within the music category places it at 632 out of 642 entries, the video continues to attract engagement, evidenced by the addition of approximately 2,459,995 views over the last 30 days, which sustains a consistent daily average of about 81,999 views.
Regarding its global reach, one may reasonably infer that the video maintains strong resonance in markets aligned with the cultural origin of the performers. Given that the channel is registered in South Korea and the primary language of the track is Korean, it is likely that the video derives a substantial portion of its viewership from the domestic South Korean market and broader East Asian territories. This baseline engagement is bolstered by the international profile of Selena Gomez, which likely extends the reach of the content into English-speaking markets across North America and Europe. These demographic observations, while not based on proprietary geographic data, suggest a cross-regional appeal that bridges the gap between South Korean pop culture and Western music industry standards.
The financial performance of the video remains a notable secondary metric, with estimated ad earnings calculated at approximately $1,968 per month based on an assumed RPM of $0.80. This figure reflects the ongoing monetization of a video that has achieved long-term stability rather than short-term viral spikes. By maintaining a steady influx of daily viewers, the content continues to provide reliable value within the platform's ecosystem. The consistency of this viewership, coupled with the collaboration between a globally recognized girl group and a prominent Western artist, indicates that the video functions as a perennial attraction for a diverse, international audience. While specific viewer locations cannot be confirmed through current data, the linguistic and institutional factors provide a clear framework for understanding how such a collaboration achieves such a significant and enduring global footprint.
Who is watching
The audience for the Blackpink and Selena Gomez collaboration appears to span a global demographic, likely centered on younger listeners who engage frequently with contemporary pop music and digital-first content. Given the video is classified within the music category and features two major international acts, the viewership likely skews toward adolescents and young adults who follow high-production pop culture trends. The inclusion of a Western pop star like Selena Gomez suggests the video holds appeal for both domestic Korean audiences and the broader international fan bases of both artists, particularly in regions where English-language pop dominates streaming platforms.
Interests among the likely viewer base appear to align with broader digital music consumption patterns, where high-energy visual aesthetics and celebrity collaborations are prioritized. Because the primary language of the track is Korean but features prominent English segments, the video likely attracts a multilingual audience that appreciates the hybridization of K-pop production styles with Western musical structures. Viewers who gravitate toward this content are likely active on social media, where the visual and stylistic elements of the video are often amplified. The steady accumulation of over 81,999 average daily views suggests that the video continues to function as a staple within the pop music landscape, drawing in listeners who may be discovering the artists long after the initial release.
Demographic engagement with this content likely leans heavily toward digital natives who prioritize platform-based music discovery. While the specific age of the audience cannot be definitively stated, the genre of the music combined with the visual presentation typically correlates with younger generations who are more likely to participate in the streaming economies of platforms like YouTube. The consistent interest in the video, marked by roughly 2,459,995 views in the last 30 days, indicates that it remains a recurring destination for listeners who likely seek out upbeat, pop-oriented tracks. This sustained interest highlights a likely tendency among the fan base to return to the video for its aesthetic appeal or as part of larger, artist-specific playlists. As the video approaches its six-year milestone, the endurance of its viewership suggests that it occupies a consistent position within the listening habits of its core audience, transcending the temporary spikes typically associated with new releases to remain a persistent fixture in global digital culture.
How it stacks up against its peers
The music video for BLACKPINK's 'Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez)' has garnered a substantial following, with over 1.01 billion views since its publication on August 28, 2020. In the context of the music category, this video ranks 632 out of 642, indicating that while it has achieved significant viewership, it tends to appeal to a niche audience within the music genre. This ranking suggests that the video's popularity is likely driven by the dedicated fan base of BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez, rather than a broader, mainstream appeal.
In the broader field of billion-view videos, the 'Ice Cream' music video ranks 1,018 out of 1,034, indicating that it is among the lower tier of videos that have surpassed the billion-view milestone. This ranking implies that the video's viewership, while substantial, is not exceptionally high compared to other highly popular videos. The video's average daily views of approximately 81,999 and its estimated ad earnings of around $1,968 per month also suggest a steady, albeit modest, level of engagement. The fact that the video has gained around 2.46 million views in the last 30 days further supports this assessment, as it indicates a consistent, though not spectacular, rate of viewership growth.
The video's rankings in both the music category and the overall billion-view field provide insight into its relative popularity. While it is likely that the video's viewership is driven by a dedicated fan base, its lower rankings suggest that it may not have achieved the same level of widespread appeal as other, more highly ranked videos. The video's age, at around 5.9 years since publication, is also a factor to consider, as it may have benefited from being part of the initial wave of K-pop videos to gain significant traction on YouTube. Nonetheless, the video's billion-view milestone is still a notable achievement, and its continued steady viewership is a testament to the enduring popularity of BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez.
The video's performance also tends to reflect the trends of the Korean music industry, which appears to have a significant following on YouTube. As a Korean-language video, it is likely that the video's viewership is concentrated in regions where Korean pop music is popular, such as in Korea itself and among international K-pop fans. The video's primary language and the channel's country of origin, Korea, further support this inference. While the video's popularity may be somewhat limited to these niche audiences, its achievement of over 1.01 billion views is still a significant milestone that underscores the growing influence of K-pop on global music trends.
The video's steady viewership and estimated ad earnings also suggest that it continues to be a viable and profitable content asset for the BLACKPINK channel. The fact that the video has maintained a consistent level of engagement over time, with a steady average daily views and a significant number of views gained in the last 30 days, implies that it remains a popular and relevant part of the channel's content offerings. As such, the 'Ice Cream' music video can be seen as a successful example of a niche content asset that has achieved significant popularity and continues to drive engagement and revenue for the channel.
The estimated economics of a billion-view video
The estimated economics of a billion-view video like BLACKPINK's 'Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez)' M/V can be examined through the lens of its estimated ad earnings. With approximately 1.01 billion views, the video is likely generating significant revenue from advertisements. The estimated monthly ad earnings of ~$1,968 provide a rough idea of the video's monetization potential. This estimate is based on an assumed rate per mille (RPM) of $0.80, which is a common metric used to calculate ad revenue. However, it is essential to note that this is only an estimate and actual earnings may vary.
The RPM assumption of $0.80 is a critical factor in determining the estimated ad earnings. RPM is a dynamic value that can fluctuate based on various factors such as ad format, viewer location, and ad engagement. In reality, the actual RPM for this video may be higher or lower than the assumed value, which would impact the estimated earnings. Furthermore, the estimated ad earnings are also influenced by the video's ad share, which is the proportion of ad revenue allocated to the content creator. The actual ad share may differ from the assumed value, affecting the overall earnings.
The estimated average daily views of ~81,999 and the views gained in the last 30 days of ~2,459,995 also provide insight into the video's ongoing popularity and potential for generating ad revenue. These metrics suggest that the video continues to attract a significant audience, which is likely contributing to its estimated ad earnings. However, it is crucial to consider that ad revenue is not solely dependent on view count, but also on factors like ad format, viewer demographics, and regional targeting. The primary language of the video, Korean, and the channel's country of origin, KR, may also influence the ad revenue, as ad pricing and demand can vary by region.
The category in which the video is classified, Music, may also play a role in determining its ad economics. Ranked #632 of 642 in the Music category, the video's performance is likely influenced by the competitive landscape of music-related content on the platform. The all-time rank of #1,018 of 1,034 billion-view videos provides a broader context for the video's performance, suggesting that it is part of a select group of highly viewed content. While the estimated ad earnings provide a rough estimate of the video's monetization potential, it is essential to recognize that actual figures may vary due to the complex interplay of factors influencing ad revenue.
In conclusion, the estimated ad economics of BLACKPINK's 'Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez)' M/V offer a glimpse into the potential revenue generated by a billion-view video. However, it is crucial to approach these estimates with caution, recognizing the assumptions and variables that can impact actual earnings. The dynamic nature of ad pricing, ad share, and viewer engagement means that real figures may differ from estimates, and ongoing changes in the video's popularity and platform algorithms may continue to influence its ad economics.
Audience and regional-popularity statements are informed inferences from genre, language and channel origin, not measured demographics. Earnings are estimates.