(Source-TechCrunch)
If I want to watch a particular video, I’ll go to YouTube. Undoubtedly, it is the biggest and the most popular video platform that has shaped the way we consume online content. Having about 2.1 billion users worldwide, it is a daily source of entertainment for many users and a source of income for content creators. However, while watching videos on it, have you ever thought about its journey, transformations, etc.? If not, then think about it now and read our article that speaks everything you need to know about YouTube. Enjoy reading!
“Me at the Zoo”
Though the first-ever video was uploaded on YouTube in April 2005, “Me at the Zero”, its journey began three months back with Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. They wished to create a simple landscape for users that can reach up to the global level, as before YouTube there was no viable video-sharing platform. One of its three founders, Jawed Karim created a video of 18 seconds, shot in the San Diego Zoo, named “Me at the Zoo” and received 240 million views. Five months later, an advertisement from Nike was uploaded which depicted Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho collecting his Golden Boots. The advertisement resulted in the potential growth of both YouTube and Nike.
The Growth Phase
In the era of immediacy and hyper-connectivity, technology is shifting almost every aspect of our daily lives. From beauty tutorials to vlogging it has revolutionized social media. Let’s explore its growth phase:
- February 2005: Trademark, Logo, and Domain were registered
- October 2006: Google bought this fast-expanding video-sharing for $1.65 billion
- May 2007: Partner Program was launched through which a few content creators earned six-figure salaries via YouTube
- April 2011: YouTube Live started to broadcast concerts, royal weddings, news, and the Olympic
- September 2016: Google initiated YouTube Go due to which users can download videos
- May 2018: YouTube Music subscription service started
- September 2019: Introducing AI-powered ads for better outcomes and user engagement
- January 2022: YouTube became the second-most popular social network globally
Ads and Subscription-based Business Model
Adwords/Adsense: As you might know Google’s most of its revenue comes from its proprietary advertising services, Google Adwords. Advertisers earn money whenever users click on the advertisement. Creators pay Google for running their ads through Adwords and most of them include insurance, home loans, products, and services.
YouTube Premium: To make the end-user experience more engaging and ad-free, YouTube Premium started. The company shares part of the premium with the creators through a monthly membership fee. Moreover, creators get money if you watch their content repeatedly. Today, YouTube Premium Lite is becoming popular in the European regions because of its monthly affordable subscription plans.
Channel membership: It is a paid monthly subscription for a particular channel. To support their favorite creators, and get access to extra benefits, and exclusive content, subscribers pay a monthly fee. They receive extra benefits like live streams, live chats, badges, and custom emojis. Prices vary by country and creators, it takes a 30% share of membership profits of channels.
YouTube TV: In the United States it is a TV streaming service that allows paid subscribers to watch live TV from 100+ cables, broadcasts, regional sports networks, etc. Within five years of its launch, the paid subscribers have surpassed 5 million users.
Components of a Successful Video
YouTube creates a great opportunity for marketing your products and services. To improve performance, driving more traffic to your site and more revenue for your business, apply these best practices in your video creation process.
These tried and tested YouTube video elements will surely contribute to your video marketing success!
Try these strategies to make your video viral:
Why Does YouTube Matter more than any other social media platform?
On a lazy Sunday afternoon, there are hundreds of chances where you have spent lots of your time watching videos on YouTube. So why does it matter to you more than any other social media platform?
Design Idea: Use Circles for the Following points
- 500 hours of videos are uploaded every minute.
- In 2021, 81% of Americans used this platform.
- 59% of executives prefer watching videos to reading text.
- It is localized in more than 100 countries and is available in 80 languages.
This video platform holds a unique and extraordinary position in the realm of social media. Being the first video-centric platform, it allows you to engross in storytelling and gives a multisensory experience as compared to text and image alone. It promotes long-form videos due to which creators can delve in-depth into complex and controversial topics transcend geographical boundaries and conquer language barriers.
How can a Channel Earn from other than YouTube Partnership Programs or Adsense?
It has multiple ways of earning though your channels get rejected in its partnership program due to noncompliance with conditions. You can also promote the product via your videos on the channel. Refer to these points to know in detail:
Sponsored videos: Sponsor the paid videos to promote any particular product or service. Various brands and organizations reach up to channels that have huge subscriber base and makes a video that can promote their sales.
Embedded advertisements: There are embedded videos that show In-stream and In-video overlay ads with more active advertising agreements. Through this video can be streamed directly and your channels get paid for it.
Affiliate Advertisement: Creators can take advantage of affiliate marketing ads offered by brands with one-time or even recurring commissions on sales. For example, if a creator decides to promote an editing tool like Canva, then they can first create an affiliate account with them. After that, they will get an affiliate link with tracking parameters that need to be placed in your video or channel text description. Conversion through clicks on the link will earn you affiliate income.
Challenges: Copyright, Controversies, and Algorithmic Evolution
YouTube’s journey to success was not without challenges. Copyright infringement issues, controversies surrounding content moderation, and concerns about brand safety presented formidable hurdles. The platform responded by refining its policies, implementing advanced content moderation tools, and collaborating with creators to strike a balance between freedom of expression and responsible content governance.
The evolution of its algorithms also played a pivotal role in its success. The recommendation algorithm, in particular, not only became a double-edged sword, driving engagement by suggesting personalized content but also facing scrutiny for contributing to echo chambers and the spread of misinformation. It has fine-tuned its algorithms, aiming to enhance user experience while addressing concerns related to content discoverability and platform accountability.
Major video trends on YouTube for 2024:
- Mental Health and Well-being: Various YouTubers are creating stories around mental well-being and sharing their own experiences. There is a deep emphasis on a healthy lifestyle that leads to mental peace which includes meditation, journaling, etc. Moreover, the audience is responding well to these videos as this video platform has remained the platform for entertainment and maintains a positive mindset.
- AI-Enhanced Video Editing: AI-powered video editing tools are simplifying the content-making process and allowing creators to upload high-quality videos. Moreover, people are using AI to create music and soundtracks for videos.
- Crypto and Blockchain Content: There is a huge content trend regarding crypto and blockchain technology. You will find educational content and tips to earn money through NFTs, and teaching about crypto laws. Such investment-oriented videos are gaining prominence on online platforms.
- Celebrity Collaborations: Everyone is curious about the lives of celebrities and they are considered role models for yachts. Videos that consist of collaborations between YouTube creators and traditional celebrities are becoming more common, bridging the gap between online and offline entertainment.
- Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Content: To save the environment and prevent natural disasters, many countries are making efforts at the international level. Therefore, the content focusing on eco-friendly products, climate change events, and sustainable behavior is contributing to raising awareness. Such creators are contributing to building a sensation towards the social responsibility of every citizen.
- Short-form videos: Attention span is decreasing day by day among users, hence short videos are going viral and it has become challenging for every creator to upload valuable content in minimum time. Such videos can capture the attention of users quickly.
