YouTube

What is YouTube?

YouTube is the world's largest video sharing platform where users can upload, view, share, comment on, and engage with video content. Launched in 2005 and acquired by Google in 2006, it has evolved from a simple video hosting site to the second largest search engine globally (after Google itself) and a complex social ecosystem with its own creator economy.

With over 2 billion logged-in monthly users watching over a billion hours of content daily, YouTube has become a dominant force in entertainment, education, and information sharing.

YouTube was created in 2005 by three friends—Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim—who wanted an easier way to share videos online. The very first video ever uploaded was called "Me at the zoo" and it's still live today.

In 2006, Google bought YouTube for and it has grown into one of the biggest websites in the world.

How YouTube Functions as Social Media

While sometimes viewed primarily as a video platform, YouTube incorporates robust social elements:

• Channel subscriptions create ongoing connections between creators and viewers
• Comment sections enable community discussion and interaction
• Like/dislike functions provide feedback mechanisms
• Sharing tools connect content to other social platforms
• Community posts allow text updates to subscribers
• Notification systems alert followers to new content

These social features transform passive video consumption into active community participation around content creators and topics.

Many brands find success by treating YouTube as a hub for their most valuable long-form content, while using shorter platforms like TikTok or Instagram to drive traffic back to more comprehensive YouTube videos.