YouTube marks 20 years with big numbers and bigger ambitions
Youtube okay use of AI amid increasing use for content creations. PHOTO: PIXABAY
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YouTube turned 20 this April, marking two decades since co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded the platform's first-ever video, Me at the Zoo, back in 2005.
Now owned by Google, YouTube has evolved beyond a simple video-sharing site into a dominant force across entertainment, music, and technology.
Earlier this week, YouTube shared a series of impressive statistics to commemorate the milestone. The company revealed that over 20 million videos are uploaded daily, and in 2024 alone, users posted an average of 100 million comments per day. Creators engaged actively as well, giving hearts to comments from around 10 million users every day.
YouTube also highlighted that videos on the platform received over 3.5 billion likes daily last year. More than 300 music videos have now crossed the billion-views mark — a reflection of the platform's global reach and influence.
The anniversary celebrations also extended to YouTube Music and YouTube Kids, both of which are turning 10. Interestingly, before YouTube Music officially launched, it operated internally under the codename "Woodstock."
Looking ahead, YouTube plans to integrate more AI-driven features across its services, while continuing to push its Premium offering. The company underlined that expanding Premium subscriptions would support its broader aim of sustaining and rewarding the global creator community.
As YouTube steps into its third decade, it is clear the platform remains at the centre of how audiences discover and enjoy digital content — whether on mobile, web, or big screens.
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