Who founded YouTube? You may have been asking yourself this question. YouTube is one of the most popular video-sharing platforms in the world, with billions of monthly active users. Billions of people watch and upload videos on YouTube every day, but few know about the people who created the platform. In this article, we will delve into the history of YouTube and explore the founders who created the platform that revolutionized the way we consume and share videos. We will also take a look at the story behind the creation of this online behemoth. Whether you are a creator, viewer, or just curious about the history of one of the internet’s most influential platforms, read on to discover the story of the founders of YouTube.
About YouTube
YouTube is an online video-sharing platform that allows users to upload, share, and view videos. It was founded in 2005 and was later acquired by Google in 2006. Users can create channels and upload videos on a variety of topics such as music, entertainment, education, tutorials, and more. YouTube has become a popular platform for video creators, businesses, and individuals to share their content with a global audience. The platform offers features such as commenting, liking, and sharing, as well as the ability to subscribe to channels and receive notifications when new content is posted. YouTube is available on desktop and mobile devices, making it easily accessible to users all around the world.
Who founded YouTube?
YouTube was founded in 2005 by three former PayPal employees, Chad Hurley ↗, Steve Chen ↗, and Jawed Karim ↗. Users can create channels and upload videos on a variety of topics such as music, entertainment, education, tutorials, and more. YouTube has become a popular platform for video creators, businesses, and individuals to share their content with a global audience. The platform offers features such as commenting, liking, and sharing, as well as the ability to subscribe to channels and receive notifications when new content is posted. YouTube is available on desktop and mobile devices, making it easily accessible to users all around the world.
Who owns YouTube right now?
YouTube is currently owned by Google LLC, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google acquired YouTube in November 2006 for $1.65 billion, and since then, it has become one of the most popular and widely used video-sharing platforms in the world.
Is YouTube free?
Yes, YouTube is free to use. You can create an account, watch videos, upload your own videos, and interact with other users on the platform without having to pay anything. However, there are some optional paid services available on YouTube, such as YouTube Premium ($11.99 per month or $119.99 per year), which provides additional features like ad-free viewing, offline playback, and access to exclusive content. But the basic features of YouTube are free for all users.
History of YouTube
The idea for the platform came from their frustration with the difficulty of sharing videos online. They wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to upload, share, and view videos online.
The first video ever uploaded to YouTube was entitled “Me at the Zoo” and was posted by co-founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005. The video, which was only 18 seconds long, featured Karim standing in front of elephants at the San Diego Zoo and has since amassed over 100 million views.
In November 2005, Sequoia Capital invested $3.5 million in YouTube, which allowed the company to expand its team and improve the platform. By 2006, YouTube had become the leading video-sharing platform, with over 100 million video views per day.
In November 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock, which was a massive amount of money at the time. The acquisition helped Google to strengthen its position in the online video market, and it also gave YouTube access to Google’s resources and infrastructure.
After the acquisition, YouTube continued to grow rapidly, and by 2007, it was receiving over 100 million video views per day. In 2008, YouTube launched its Partner Program, which allowed creators to monetize their videos through advertising revenue.
Over the years, YouTube has introduced several new features, such as live streaming, 360-degree videos, and the ability to upload and watch videos in high definition. It has also become a platform for influencers, celebrities, and businesses to reach a massive audience and promote their products and services.
In recent years, YouTube has faced several controversies, including criticism for not doing enough to combat hate speech and misinformation on the platform. The company has taken steps to address these issues, such as removing videos that violate its policies and investing in content moderation tools and algorithms.
Despite the controversies, YouTube remains one of the most popular websites in the world, with over 15 billion monthly active users (recorded in March 2023) and over 1 billion hours of video watched every day. It has changed the way we consume and share video content, and it will likely continue to be a dominant force in the online video market for years to come.
How do you make money on YouTube?
There are several ways to make money on YouTube, such as:
- Ad revenue: YouTube allows content creators to monetize their videos through ads. When viewers watch ads displayed during or before a video, the creator earns a share of the revenue generated from those ads.
- Channel memberships: YouTube offers a feature called channel memberships that allows viewers to pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content or perks provided by the content creator.
- Merchandise sales: Content creators can also sell their own merchandise, such as t-shirts or mugs, through YouTube’s merchandise shelf feature.
- Super Chat and Super Stickers: Viewers can purchase Super Chat or Super Stickers during live streams to show support for the content creator and have their message highlighted in the chat.
- Sponsored content: Some creators may partner with brands to promote their products or services in their videos, earning a fee for the promotion.
It’s important to note that building a successful YouTube channel takes time, effort, and consistency. Content creators must focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with their audience to grow their subscriber base and generate income from the platform.
Accessing the platform
You can access YouTube in several ways:
- Through a web browser: You can access YouTube by visiting its website at www.youtube.com ↗. Simply type the URL into your web browser’s address bar, and you’ll be taken to the site.
- Using the YouTube mobile app: You can download the YouTube app on your mobile device from the Google Play Store (for Android devices) or the App Store (for iOS devices). Once you’ve installed the app, you can open it and start browsing videos.
- Using a smart TV or streaming device: Many smart TVs and streaming devices, such as Roku or Apple TV, have a YouTube app that you can access to watch videos on your television.
- Using a gaming console: If you have a gaming console, such as an Xbox or PlayStation, you can access YouTube through the console’s internet browser or YouTube app.
Regardless of how you access YouTube, you’ll need an internet connection to watch videos. You can create an account to personalize your experience on the platform, such as subscribing to channels and creating playlists. Creating an account is free, and you can use your Google account to sign in if you already have one.
