The news: 20 years ago today, the first video was uploaded to YouTube. Titled “Me at the zoo,” the unassuming 19-second clip features YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim at the San Diego Zoo sharing a fun fact about elephants: They have very long trunks.
In the two decades since, YouTube has evolved into the dominant internet video platform. Under Google’s stewardship since its 2006 acquisition, it has expanded into all things video: YouTube’s portfolio now includes digital pay TV via YouTube TV, ad-free subscriptions, music streaming, short-form video, and an expansive creator economy that attracts more than half of US marketers.
An essential platform for marketers, YouTube is a fixture of the media and digital advertising ecosystems—and the next two decades could see it undergo yet more dramatic shifts and challenges.