We did not always have access to Netflix and Amazon Prime. In those days torrent was the usual mode of accessing content. Then came YouTube – a site that featured the latest videos. But do you know that YouTube did not start as a site featuring the videos of your favorite shows and movies? If you did not know this, there are many more facts about YouTube that you are not aware of.
Here is a list of all astonishing YouTube facts.
Table of Contents
YouTube – a Dating Site
Yes, YouTube started as a dating site. The original concept behind the site was for people to upload their videos. In the video, individuals were to give an introduction of themselves in a way that would impress the others. You can say that YouTube was the Tinder or Hinge of its time.
However, shortly after its launch, the founders realized that people were not comfortable sharing videos describing their interests, likes and dislikes. It was too personal for them. The slogan ‘Tune In, Hook Up’ did not work either. Hence, a shift in the idea.
The three co-founders allowed anyone who wanted to upload the videos on YouTube to do so. Soon, people started doing so. The world found prominent singers Justin Bieber on this platform. But one also had to take care of the Internet speed that was available to him. Probably this is the reason why Internet speed test tools were on a rise as well. No one tolerated a buffering video.
PayPal – Major YouTube Funder?
Many people have this misconception that PayPal indirectly funded YouTube and continues to do so. However, there is no truth in this statement. PayPal was the employer of the three co-founders of YouTube. Perhaps the only funding that PayPal was a part of was the seed money that the three received as bonuses and invested to start YouTube. This is, perhaps, the most astonishing YouTube facts 2020. Because many people continue to believe that PayPal funds YouTube.
Is YouTube More Popular than Bing and Yahoo?
When it comes to categorizing YouTube as a social media site or search engine, people remain divided. People who call it a search engine argue that one has to search for any video that they wish to view. On the other hand supporters of the ‘YouTube is a social media site’ slogan argue that the site depends on content generated by people.
Let’s answer a simple question. If you were to find out about the Cox bill, will YouTube be able to provide an answer? Yes, there are videos to guide you. Just consider YouTube as a search engine. The stats will astonish you. It is, indeed, the second largest search engine. Topping the list is Google.
YouTube has 98 Versions
The global appeal is what attracted people towards YouTube. Uploading videos from anywhere in the world is a possibility with YouTube. It is for this reason that the creators gradually launched YouTube’s regional versions. Now, the platform has 98 versions. The country-specific versions also make it easy for people from different countries to upload and download content that interests them.
More YouTube Watchers than Cable TV
The price of cable TV services has been on a rise since the past decade or two. Hence, the rising cord-cutting trend. People would rather pay for Cox 10 Mbps Internet than a cable TV package. As they find the Internet to be less expensive than cable TV at any given time.
Well, the expensive or cheap nature of cable TV remains a debate. But one Internet connection indeed gives access to many streaming services and web browsing options. Hence, making YouTube more popular than cable TV. Moreover, YouTube has a greater reach than cable TV services as well.
Billions of Videos Watched Everyday
Having established that YouTube has 98 versions, what do you think is the average number of videos watched on YouTube daily? Considering that the world population is 7 billion and everyone who is old enough to surf the Internet watched at least one video daily, what will be your wild guess?
The truth is that not every person surfing the net watches YouTube. But, yes a single person can watch multiple videos. The exact number of videos viewed daily remains a mystery.
2 Billion Monthly Active Users
Data suggests that there are roughly 2 billion visitors on YouTube each month. This figure was deduced after because 4 billion people from the total world population have access to the Internet. Out of these 4 billion, half use YouTube. This is an estimate. The number can be less or more than the suggested figure. It is like someone suggesting an approximate price for Cox TV equipment which could be a bit more or less than the actual price. Many of the figures suggested for YouTube that involve people are rough estimates. But those are quite realistic.
