YouTube LLC
| Type | Subsidiary (LLC) |
| Type of Website | Online video platform |
| Industry | Internet Video hosting service |
| Founded |
|
| Founder(s) | Steve Chen Chad Hurley Jawed Karim |
| Headquarters | 901 Cherry Avenue San Bruno, California, United States (U.S.) |
| Area served | Worldwide (with the exception of blocked countries) |
| Owner | Google LLC |
| Products | YouTube Kids YouTube Music YouTube Premium YouTube Shorts YouTube TV |
| Advertising | Google AdSense |
| Registration | Optional Viewers don't have to log in to watch most videos on the platform. However, logging in is necessary if you want to perform specific actions such as uploading videos, watching flagged content (18+), creating playlists, expressing your preferences for videos, and leaving comments. |
| Number of employees | 178,234 (January 2023) |
| Parent | Google LLC (2006–present) |
| Current status | Active |
| Content license | The person who uploads the content has the copyright by default, which is covered under the standard license. However, they can choose to apply Creative Commons license if they wish to. |
| Programming language used | Python (core/API), C (via CPython), C++, Java (via Guice platform), Go, JavaScript (UI) |
| Website | youtube.com |
If you are among the millions of people who use YouTube every day, you may not know the platform's fascinating history. YouTube has come a long way since its inception in 2005, and it has evolved into a platform that is much more than just a website for sharing videos. Learn more about the history of YouTube, from its founders to the latest facts, and examine how the platform has changed over the years.
What is YouTube?
YouTube is a video-sharing website where users can upload, share, and view videos. The site was created in 2005 by three former PayPal employees: Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. The idea for YouTube came about when Hurley and Chen had difficulty finding and sharing videos online, and they realized that there was a need for a platform where people could easily upload and share their videos.
The platform quickly became popular, and in its early years, it was primarily used by individuals who wanted to share videos with friends and family. However, as the site grew, it also became a platform for businesses, advertisers, and content creators.
The history of YouTube - from its founders to Google acquisition (2005–2006)
In November 2005, YouTube was officially launched, and by December of that year, it had already gained 8 million views per day. The site's popularity continued to grow, and in July 2006, YouTube announced that users were uploading 65,000 new videos per day.
Google took notice of YouTube's success and in November 2006, it acquired the platform for $1.65 billion. The acquisition helped YouTube expand its reach and resources, and it also allowed Google to tap into the growing online video market.
Broadcast Yourself era (2006–2013)
After the Google acquisition, YouTube continued to grow and evolve. In 2007, YouTube launched the "Broadcast Yourself" campaign, which encouraged users to upload their own videos and express themselves through the platform.
YouTube also introduced several new features during this time, including the ability to embed videos on other websites, the introduction of channels, and the launch of the partner program, which allowed content creators to monetize their videos.
Over the years, YouTube continued to grow in popularity, and in 2012, it hit a major milestone when it announced that users were uploading 72 hours of video per minute.
Susan Wojcicki and going mainstream (2014–2018)
In 2014, Susan Wojcicki became the CEO of YouTube, and under her leadership, the platform continued to expand and evolve. During this time, YouTube launched several new products, including YouTube Music, YouTube Kids, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV.
YouTube also continued to focus on making the platform more accessible and user-friendly, introducing features like the comment system, the Community tab, and TestTube, a platform for testing new features.
The evolution of YouTube - from traditional videos to YouTube Shorts, YouTube Kids, YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV
In recent years, YouTube has continued to evolve and expand its offerings. In 2020, YouTube launched YouTube Shorts, a new platform for short-form video content that is similar to TikTok. YouTube also introduced several new features for content creators, including the ability to create and sell merchandise directly through the platform.
YouTube has also continued to expand its offerings for children with the launch of YouTube Kids, a platform that is specifically designed for children under the age of 13. YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV have also become popular offerings, providing users with access to ad-free music, original content, and live TV.
YouTube statistics and facts
YouTube is one of the most popular websites in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. It is also the second most visited website after Google, and it is available in over 100 countries and 80 languages.
In terms of video content, YouTube users watch over a billion hours of video every day, and over 500 hours of content is uploaded to the platform every minute. The most viewed video on YouTube is "Baby Shark Dance," which has over 8 billion views.
Video technology
One of the reasons for YouTube's success is its focus on video technology. The platform has evolved over the years to support high-quality video content, including 4K and 8K video resolutions.
YouTube has also become a popular platform for live streaming, with users able to stream live events, concerts, and even video games. The platform has also introduced several new features for live streaming, including the ability to add real-time captions and chat with viewers.
Quality and formats
YouTube supports a wide range of video formats, including MP4, AVI, WMV, and FLV. The platform also supports several audio formats, including MP3, AAC, and WMA.
YouTube has also focused on improving the quality of its video content, and it now supports high-definition video resolutions, including 720p, 1080p, and 4K.
User features - Comment system, Community, TestTube
YouTube has introduced several features over the years that have helped to make the platform more user-friendly and engaging. One of the most popular features is the comment system, which allows users to leave comments on videos and engage with other users.
The Community tab is another popular feature that allows content creators to share updates, photos, and other content with their audience. TestTube is a platform for testing new features, and it allows users to try out new features before they are released to the general public.
Content accessibility
YouTube has made a concerted effort to make its platform more accessible to users with disabilities. The platform now supports closed captioning, which makes videos more accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
YouTube has also introduced several features for users with visual impairments, including the ability to navigate the platform using keyboard shortcuts and the ability to use screen readers.
Platforms
YouTube is available on a wide range of platforms, including desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. The platform also has several apps, including the YouTube app, the YouTube Kids app, and the YouTube Music app.
International and localization
YouTube is a global platform, and it is available in over 100 countries and 80 languages. The platform has also made a concerted effort to localize content, and it now features localized versions of its website and apps in several languages.
YouTube's impact on society and culture
YouTube has had a significant impact on society and culture, and it has become a major source of entertainment and information for millions of people around the world.
However, YouTube has also faced criticism for its role in promoting extremist content and for its handling of hate speech and misinformation. In 2017, several major advertisers boycotted the platform after their ads were found to be running alongside extremist content.
YouTube's business model and revenue streams, including earnings for YouTubers and copyright holders
YouTube's business model is based on advertising revenue, and it generates revenue by placing ads on videos. The platform also offers several revenue-sharing programs, including the partner program, which allows content creators to monetize their videos.
YouTube also generates revenue through its premium offerings, including YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV. The platform also pays royalties to copyright holders for the use of their content on the platform.
Creating successful YouTube videos - tips and tricks
If you want to create successful YouTube videos, there are several tips and tricks that you can follow. First, it is important to focus on creating high-quality content that is engaging and informative.
You should also focus on optimizing your videos for search engines, using keywords and tags to help your videos rank higher in search results. Finally, it is important to engage with your audience and build a community around your content.
The future of YouTube and its potential for growth
YouTube has come a long way since its inception in 2005, and it has evolved into a platform that is much more than just a website for sharing videos. Looking to the future, YouTube has the potential to continue to grow and evolve, particularly with the introduction of new features like YouTube Shorts, YouTube Premium, YouTube Kids and the likes.
YouTube's impact on the entertainment industry
YouTube has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, providing a platform for up-and-coming artists and content creators to share their work with a global audience. Many popular musicians and comedians got their start on YouTube, and the platform continues to be a major source of entertainment for millions of people around the world.
Censorship and bans
YouTube has faced criticism for its handling of hate speech and misinformation, and the platform has implemented several policies to address these issues. However, YouTube has also faced criticism for its role in promoting extremist content, and it has been banned in several countries around the world.
YouTube has come a long way since its inception in 2005, and it has evolved into a platform that is much more than just a website for sharing videos. With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube is one of the most popular websites in the world, and it continues to grow and evolve.
While YouTube has faced criticism for its role in promoting extremist content and for its handling of hate speech and misinformation, the platform has implemented several policies to address these issues. Looking to the future, YouTube has the potential to continue to grow and evolve, particularly with the introduction of new features like YouTube Shorts.
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