YouTube

YouTube is a video-sharing platform that allows users to upload, share, and view videos. It is a website where people can search for and watch videos on a variety of topics, from music and entertainment to education and tutorials. The platform has also become a hub for content creators to showcase their work, connect with their audience, and make a living through advertising revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.

What YouTube is not is a social networking site, although it does have some social networking features such as allowing users to like, comment, and subscribe to channels. It is also not a search engine, although it does have a powerful search function that allows users to find videos on specific topics.

YouTube History

YouTube was founded in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees, Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. The idea for the platform came from their difficulty in finding and sharing videos online. The first video ever uploaded to YouTube was entitled "Me at the zoo," and featured Jawed Karim talking about the elephants at the San Diego Zoo.

In November 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion, and since then, it has become one of the most visited websites on the internet. Today, YouTube has over 2 billion monthly active users and over 1 billion hours of video are watched every day. The platform has also become a cultural phenomenon, with many viral videos and internet memes originating on the platform.

YouTube Demographics

The demographics of YouTube users have evolved over time as the platform has grown and become more widely known. Here is a brief overview of the historical and quantitative demographics of YouTube users:
1. Early Years (2005-2009): In the early years of YouTube, the platform was primarily used by young people and early adopters of new technology. The majority of users were male and under the age of 25.
2. Middle Years (2010-2015): As YouTube became more mainstream, the user base became more diverse. The platform began to attract users of all ages and genders, and the number of users over the age of 25 increased. The majority of users were still male, but the gender gap began to narrow.
3. Recent Years (2016-Present): YouTube's user base has continued to diversify in recent years, with more women and older users joining the platform. In 2020, the platform reported that over 70% of YouTube users were over the age of 18, and that more than half of all YouTube users were female.

Here are some additional quantitative statistics on the demographics of YouTube users:

  • YouTube has over 2 billion monthly active users.
  • YouTube is available in over 100 countries and supports more than 80 languages.
  • 81% of 15-25 year olds in the US use YouTube.
  • 95% of US adults aged 18-24 use YouTube.
  • 75% of US adults aged 25-34 use YouTube.
  • YouTube is the second most popular social media platform among US adults, after Facebook.

YouTube Strategies

Using YouTube for business can be an effective way to achieve a variety of goals, from increasing brand awareness to driving sales. Here are some strategies for using YouTube for business, along with tips on how to measure your return on investment (ROI) and build a following on the platform:
1. Set goals: Before you start creating content for YouTube, it's important to define your goals. What do you want to achieve with your videos? Some common goals might include increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, generating leads, or increasing sales.
2. Create engaging content: The key to success on YouTube is to create engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Consider creating videos that showcase your products or services, share customer stories, or provide educational or entertaining content related to your industry.
3. Measure ROI: To measure the ROI of your YouTube strategy, you'll need to track metrics such as views, engagement, and conversions. Google Analytics can be used to track traffic from YouTube to your website, while YouTube's built-in analytics can provide insights into engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and shares.
4. Optimize for search: To ensure that your videos are discoverable, it's important to optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags for search engines. Use relevant keywords and phrases to help your videos rank higher in search results.
5. Leverage advertising: YouTube offers a variety of advertising options, including display ads, overlay ads, and skippable video ads. Consider leveraging these ad formats to drive more traffic to your videos and increase awareness of your brand.
6. Build a following: To build a following on YouTube, it's important to engage with your audience by responding to comments, creating playlists, and promoting your videos on other social media platforms. Consistency is also key – aim to post new videos on a regular schedule to keep your followers engaged and coming back for more.
7. Leverage distribution: In addition to promoting your videos on your own social media channels, consider partnering with influencers or other businesses in your industry to cross-promote your content and reach new audiences.

By following these strategies and monitoring your ROI, you can use YouTube to drive sales, increase brand awareness, and build a loyal following for your business.

YouTube Images

Here are the requirements and image sizes for YouTube profile page headers and YouTube posts:

1. YouTube Profile Page Header:
  • Recommended size: 2560 x 1440 pixels
  • Minimum size: 2048 x 1152 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 6MB
  • File type: JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG
Note: The header image will be cropped on some devices, so it's important to keep important elements within the safe area (1546 x 423 pixels) to ensure they are visible on all devices.
2. YouTube Posts:
  • Recommended size: 1280 x 720 pixels
  • Minimum size: 640 x 360 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Maximum file size: 128GB or 12 hours (whichever is less)
  • File type: MP4, MOV, or GIF

Note: Keep in mind that YouTube may reduce the quality of your video if it's too large or doesn't meet their technical requirements. It's also important to optimize your video for mobile devices, as more than half of all YouTube views come from mobile devices.

In addition to these requirements, it's important to ensure that your images and videos are high-quality, visually appealing, and relevant to your brand and target audience. By creating compelling visuals that align with your brand identity, you can help attract and retain viewers on YouTube.

Growing YouTube

Here are some tips on how to gain more followers on YouTube:
1. Create high-quality videos: High-quality videos with clear audio and visuals tend to get more engagement and attract more followers. Make sure your videos are informative, entertaining, and provide value to your audience.
2. Optimize your video titles and descriptions: Use relevant keywords in your video titles and descriptions to make them more discoverable in search results.
3. Use eye-catching thumbnails: Use eye-catching and relevant thumbnails that accurately represent your video content. This will help your videos stand out and attract more views and subscribers.
4. Post consistently: Post new videos on a consistent schedule to keep your audience engaged and attract new followers. Aim for at least one video per week.
5. Promote your channel: Promote your YouTube channel on your website, social media profiles, and other online platforms. This will help you attract new subscribers who are interested in your content.
6. Collaborate with other YouTubers: Collaborating with other YouTubers in your niche can help you attract new subscribers who are interested in your content.
7. Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, messages, and tags in a timely manner. This will help you build a relationship with your subscribers and keep them engaged with your content.

Remember, building a following on YouTube takes time and effort. Be consistent with your posting and engagement, and focus on providing value to your audience.

Research Facebook another social media platform.