A little over two decades ago, Jawed Karim posted the first video on YouTube titled “Me at the Zoo.” In this 18-second clip, he marveled at the elephants’ long trunks while standing in front of their enclosure at the San Diego Zoo. This low-resolution video has since gained over 317 million views and nearly 11 million comments, marking the start of YouTube’s journey.
Today, YouTube has a global user base of 2.7 billion monthly active users, an astounding increase from its humble beginnings. The platform has become a cultural phenomenon that transcends borders, cultures, and languages through viral videos that have billions of views. Some of the most popular videos on YouTube include songs like “Baby Shark” and “Despacito,” which have captivated audiences worldwide.
The music video for “Gangnam Style” by Psy was the first to reach a billion views on YouTube, setting a Guinness record in just five months. Since then, other popular videos include hits like “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran, “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa, “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, and many others that have garnered billions of views.
YouTube has transformed into a platform that allows content creators and artists to reach a global audience instantly while showcasing their creativity and talent. From viral music videos to educational content and vlogs, YouTube has revolutionized the way we consume media and connect with one another around the world.