Early Days
  • Registration: YouTube's trademark, logo, and domain were registered on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2005.
  • First Video: The first video, "Me at the Zoo," was posted on April 24, 2005, by co-founder Jawed Karim, featuring him at the San Diego Zoo.
  • Beta Launch: YouTube's beta site was launched in May 2005, with the official launch following on December 15, 2005.
Growth and Acquisitions
  • Deal with NBC: In June 2006, YouTube partnered with NBC to promote its fall TV lineup, marking a significant milestone in its growth.
  • Acquisition by Google: Google acquired YouTube in October 2006 for $1.65 billion, enabling the platform to expand its reach and capabilities.
Key Features and Milestones
  • Partner Program: Launched in May 2007, allowing creators to monetize their content.
  • Live Streaming: Introduced in April 2011, enabling real-time video broadcasts.
  • YouTube Red: Launched in November 2015, a subscription service offering ad-free content, later rebranded as YouTube Premium.
  • YouTube Shorts: Introduced with over 50 billion daily views in 2023, focusing on short-form, vertical videos.
Recent Developments
  • CEO Transition: Susan Wojcicki stepped down as CEO on February 16, 2023, and was succeeded by Neal Mohan.
  • AI and Safety: YouTube is focusing on AI-driven creativity, community safety, and subscription growth in 2024 ¹.

YouTube offers various features, including:
  • Video uploading and sharing: Users can upload and share videos with the world.
  • Monetization options: Creators can earn money through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
  • Community engagement: Viewers can like, comment, and subscribe to their favorite channels.
  • Live streaming: Users can broadcast live videos to their audience.
YouTube is used for various purposes, such as:
  • Entertainment: Music videos, vlogs, and comedy sketches.
  • Education: Tutorials, lectures, and online courses.
  • Marketing: Businesses use YouTube for advertising and product promotion.
  • Personal expression: Individuals share their passions, hobbies, and experiences.
What's your favorite type of content on YouTube?


                                           

YouTube is a video-sharing platform where users can upload, share, and view videos. The platform allows creators to monetize their content through various methods, including:
  • Advertising Revenue: Earn money from ads displayed on their videos, such as Watch Page ads and Shorts Feed ads.
  • YouTube Premium Revenue: Get a share of the subscription fee when YouTube Premium subscribers watch their content.
  • Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive content or perks to fans who pay a monthly fee.
  • Super Chat and Super Stickers: Allow viewers to pay for their messages to be highlighted in live chat streams.
  • Super Thanks: Enable fans to support creators with small payments in exchange for highlighted messages or animations.
  • Shopping: Tag products from their own store or other brands, allowing fans to purchase directly from the platform.
To be eligible for these monetization features, creators must meet specific requirements, such as:
  • Subscriber Thresholds: Varying numbers of subscribers, depending on the feature.
  • Watch Hours or Views: Minimum requirements for public watch hours or views on long-form videos or Shorts.
  • Age and Location: Creators must be at least 18 years old (or have a legal guardian) and live in a country where the feature is available.
YouTube also offers various tools and resources to help creators succeed, including:
  • YouTube Studio: A platform for managing videos, tracking performance, and accessing creator tools.
  • Community Guidelines: Rules and policies governing content on the platform.
  • Creator Support: Resources and tutorials for improving content and growing audiences ¹.