YouTube @20: From Cat Videos to AI Evolution

Exactly twenty years ago this week, YouTube's cofounder Jawed Karim uploaded the platform's inaugural clip, which was called "Me at the Zoo."

Okay. Here we are, standing in front of the elephants. What’s impressive about them is their extremely long trunks. That's quite fascinating.… Really, that covers most of what needs to be mentioned.

When YouTube was still so novel, our own Charles Osgood had to explain it to "Sunday Morning" viewers in 2006: "It’s a site where practically anyone can upload videos for everyone around the globe to watch."

Nowadays, it goes without saying that YouTube is the second most visited website globally, following Google. purchased YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006 .

Each day, we as a society collectively spend over a billion hours watching YouTube videos. These range from humorous clips to instructional content and even feline-focused segments. Over the past two decades, we have uploaded an astounding twenty billion video uploads onto the platform.

The most-viewed one overall? "Baby Shark Dance," with approximately 16 billion views.

Not only are people viewing content on their mobile devices, but according to David Craig, an instructor specializing in media and culture at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School, individuals nowadays prefer watching YouTube over other streaming services when using larger displays in their living spaces.

Craig mentions that a pivotal moment occurred when YouTube began compensating individuals for their video creations. He explained, "'What if we share advertising revenue with you,' they proposed, 'in return for your contribution to expanding our platform?'" Craig recalled.

Currently, YouTube shares the advertising income with creators as mentioned by Craig: "The split might vary slightly for high-profile content creators whom the platform clearly wants to ensure remain satisfied with their services."

The well-known participants consist of Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, who produce a daily program titled "Good Mythical Morning." With thirty-four million subscribers, their videos have been viewed an astounding fourteen billion times.

McLaughlin explained the attraction of the show: "It’s like two old friends chatting, with you as the additional friend in their circle. Somehow, we accidentally discovered this winning recipe that makes viewers want to return daily."

They might use a conventional TV studio for filming, but how does YouTube differ from television? "I want to mention our talent," Neal chuckled.

"As much as possible, it’s about engaging with the audience,” explained McLaughlin. “There are comments after all, so you have various means to interact with individuals through digital platforms.”

David Craig stated, "Individuals who produce content on YouTube should not be considered as merely content creators. They are for-profit community organizers They are utilizing this platform to create online communities from which they can develop a variety of distinct business models.”

For McLaughlin and Neal, potential revenue streams might encompass guided tours, book sales, merchandise like sweatshirts and hoodies, along with smaller items such as magnets and pins. Neal added, "There’s also an opportunity to venture into larger markets by selling hair care products." He continued enthusiastically, “Given how much effort we put into styling our hair, why not turn that routine into profit?”

No one has done it better financially than Jimmy Donaldson, widely recognized as MrBeast. His videos featuring massive giveaways and extreme stunts have propelled him to become the most-subscribed YouTube user ever, boasting an audience of 380 million followers.

Last year, Amazon Prime allocated $100 million for the production of a MrBeast game show.

I inquired of David Craig, "Does aspiring to be a YouTube celebrity hold more weight nowadays compared to dreaming of becoming a TV star?"

“I regret having to break this news to you, David, but it’s been like this for over a decade,” Craig responded. “They’ve been polling youngsters, and consistently, they express their desire to become creators or influencers rather than celebrities—or, unfortunately, journalists.”

From the archives: The initial period of YouTube

Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal believe that the ad world hasn't fully recognized YouTube's supremacy just yet. As Neal pointed out, "When considering the 18-to-34-year-old demographic, we surpass every single late-night program put together. However, when comparing the funds allocated to these programs against what our show receives, things aren’t balanced as they should be."

Frankly, this is one of the reasons we've had such a keen interest in securing an Emmy," McLaughlin stated. "We contribute to the cultural dialogue just like numerous shows that have received Emmys.

Over the past twenty years, YouTube has faced various controversies, ranging from gathering private data on children , regarding assertions that the website is triggering a mental health emergency .

YouTube's detractors also worry about the algorithm. It studies which videos seem to grab your attention, and feeds you more videos like them. YouTube has been accused of allowing the algorithm to guide individuals towards extremist perspectives .

• YouTube's challenge in regulating its channels

The vast array of viewpoints expressed on our platform is something we cherish," stated YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. "We do not permit explicit material. Clearly, we also prohibit spam and scams. Additionally, we enforce rules to safeguard minors using the service. However, at its core, it remains a space dedicated to free expression.

So, with YouTube's 20th anniversary upon us, what are the next few years going to be like? According to Mohan, "One of the areas that I'm very excited about is artificial intelligence. You can tell YouTube when you're creating a video, 'Put us in Central Park, and change the background, and have these types of birds because it's a spring day.' And that magical technology exists today."

I inquired, "Does evolution or psychology have something to do with why we're so fascinated by observing others?"

Ultimately, this stems from us being inherently social creatures," explained Mohan. "As humans, we form connections with others and share stories. This occurs billions of times daily on YouTube. It aligns with our purpose: providing every individual a platform to express themselves and revealing the world to them.

What a full double rainbow!

For more info:

• YouTube
• David Craig, who leads the Global Media and Communication program at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School, serves as its director. , Los Angeles
• Good Mythical Morning
• MrBeast

The story was created by David Rothman and edited by Jason Schmidt.

See also:

• How YouTube transformed from an underdog into a giant ("Sunday Morning")