YouTube
YouTube, founded in February 2005 by ex-PayPal employees-Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim, is a video-sharing platform now owned by Google. Acquired in November 2006 for $1.65 billion, it operates as a subsidiary under Google. With 2.5 billion monthly users, it's the world's second most-visited site after Google Search. Users can upload, share, and view diverse content, including clips, music videos, and more. Google's ownership expanded revenue beyond ads, introducing paid options like YouTube Premium for exclusive content, ad-free streaming, and offline playback. YouTube's business model evolved from ads to include revenue-generating opportunities for creators through Google's AdSense program. In 2021, annual advertising revenue reached $28.8 billion, growing to $29.2 billion in 2022. The platform witnesses over a billion hours of video consumption daily, with content being uploaded at a rate exceeding 500 hours per minute as of May 2019. YouTube's journey from a startup to a global video giant reflects its significant impact on online content consumption and digital advertising landscapes.
History
YouTube, founded in 2005 by former PayPal employees Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim, emerged from the founders' experiences of difficulty sharing videos from a dinner party. Originally envisioned as a video version of an online dating service influenced by Hot or Not, the concept shifted to accept uploads of any video due to challenges in finding dating-related content. The first video, titled "Me at the Zoo," was uploaded on April 23, 2005. YouTube's early funding came from investors like Sequoia Capital and Artis Capital Management [1]
The platform grew rapidly, officially launching on December 15, 2005, and reaching 8 million daily views by then. It gained prominence with viral content like "Lazy Sunday" from Saturday Night Live. In 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion, bringing new interest to video-sharing sites. YouTube introduced the slogan "Broadcast Yourself," and by 2010, it held a 43% market share with over 14 billion video views. Under CEO Susan Wojcicki, appointed in 2014, YouTube continued to evolve. It faced challenges, including a $170 million FTC fine for violating children's privacy laws and disputes with tech companies like Amazon and Roku. YouTube expanded its revenue streams with premium services like YouTube Premium [2] and introduced features like Super Chat for viewer donations.
In 2021, YouTube entered the short-form video space with YouTube Shorts to compete with platforms like TikTok. Susan Wojcicki announced her departure as CEO in February 2023, with Neal Mohan named as her successor. Recent developments include experiments with unskippable ads and the crackdown on ad blockers, showcasing YouTube's ongoing evolution and impact on digital content consumption.
Features
- Video Upload and Sharing: Users can easily upload, share, and manage their videos.
- Viewing and Commenting: Watch a wide range of content and engage through comments.
- Subscription: Subscribe to favorite channels for updates on new content.
- Playlists: Create and share playlists of preferred videos.
- Monetization: Creators can earn money through ads, memberships, and YouTube Premium.
- Live Streaming: Broadcast live videos to interact with audiences in real time.
- Premium Content: Access exclusive content with YouTube Premium.
- Customization: Personalize channel layout, profile, and notifications.
- Analytics: Creators get insights into video performance and audience demographics.
- Community Tab: Interact with fans through posts, polls, and updates.
Services
- YouTube Music: Stream music with an extensive library and personalized playlists.
- YouTube Premium: Ad-free experience, exclusive content, and offline viewing.
- YouTube TV: Live TV streaming service offering various channels.
- YouTube Kids: A child-friendly version with curated content and parental controls.
- YouTube Shorts: Short-form video platform for quick, engaging content.
- Super Chat: Allows viewers to donate during live streams for highlighted comments.
- Creator Studio: Tools for content creators to manage, analyze, and optimize their channels.
- Community Guidelines: Policies to ensure a safe and respectful user experience.
- YouTube Ads: Platform for businesses to advertise on YouTube.
- YouTube Gaming: Dedicated space for gaming-related content and live streams.