YouTube Stats in 2024: YouTube officially launched on February 14, 2005 and now become the second most visited website in the world. Today, it boasts over 2.7 billion monthly active users, with content spanning every imaginable category – music, education, gaming, news, and everything in between.
This signifies that almost 52% of internet users access the platform at least once a month, representing 33% of the global population.
This online video sharing and social media platform is much more than just a source of lighthearted entertainment. It has democratized content creation, empowering anyone with a camera and an internet connection to share their voice and talents.
It has become a cultural phenomenon, shaping trends, launching careers, and even influencing global events. As artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies develop, we can expect YouTube to further blur the lines between reality and the digital world, offering even more immersive and interactive experiences. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of YouTube, exploring its history, statistics, revenue, impact, and ever-evolving landscape.
YouTube Overview 2024
| Website Name | YouTube |
|---|---|
| Website URL | www.youtube.com |
| Founded | February 14, 2005 |
| Headquarters | San Bruno, California, United States |
| Founder | Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim |
| Owner | Alphabet Inc. (2015-present) |
| Parent/ Holding company | Google LLC (2006–present) |
| Products | YouTube Kids YouTube Music YouTube Originals YouTube Podcasts YouTube Premium YouTube Select YouTube Shots YouTube Studio YouTube TV |
| Active Users | 122 million daily active users 2.7 billion monthly active users |
| Active Channels | 114 million active YouTube channels |
| Total uploaded videos | over 1 billion |
| Advertising Revenues | $9.2 billion Q4 2023 |
User base:
- 2.7 billion monthly active users: That’s over a quarter of the world’s population turning to YouTube for their video fix!
- India leads the pack: With 467 million users, India holds the crown for the most YouTube users, followed by the US with 247 million.
- Global reach: 52% of internet users access YouTube at least once a month, translating to roughly 113 billion monthly visits.
Engagement and content:
- Video viewing frenzy: A staggering 5 billion videos are watched daily, amounting to 1 billion hours of content consumed every single day.
- The rise of Shorts: YouTube Shorts, the platform’s answer to TikTok, garners over 70 billion daily views, highlighting the growing appetite for short-form content.
- Upload explosion: Over 720,000 hours of video are uploaded every day, emphasizing the platform’s dynamic and ever-evolving content library.
Monetization and creators:
- Ad revenue powerhouse: YouTube generated $22.31 billion in ad revenue in 2023, showcasing its significant role in the digital advertising landscape.
- Partner Program expansion: 2 million creators are part of the YouTube Partner Program, earning income through various monetization options.
- Premium boost: Over 80 million users subscribe to YouTube Premium and Music, suggesting a growing preference for ad-free and exclusive content.
Demographics and trends:
- Mobile reigns supreme: Over 70% of YouTube watch time occurs on mobile devices, reflecting the shift towards on-the-go consumption.
- Gen Z takes center stage: 85% of Gen Z use YouTube to post video content, indicating their prominent role in shaping the platform’s future.
- Gaming dominates: Gaming remains the most popular content category, followed by music and entertainment, attracting diverse audiences.
First Time on YouTube
First Official YouTube Channel and Video:
The first channel created on YouTube was not actually a user-created channel, but rather the official YouTube channel itself named (Jawed) have more than 4.45M subscribers. In other words, the first YouTuber was Jawed Karim who was also a founder of YouTube.
Jawed YouTube channel was created on February 14, 2005, the same day that YouTube was launched. The first video uploaded to this channel was titled “Me at the Zoo” and was uploaded by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005. This video is still available to watch today. As of February 10, 2024, “Me at the zoo” has over 307 million views and 10 million comments.
First User-created Channel on YouTube
During the YouTube beta phase, a small group of testers received invites and created channels. Determining the exact “first” among these testers is challenging due to incomplete records and potential lost accounts.
Therefore, the answer depends on how you define “user-created channel.” If you exclude co-founders, the first truly public user-created channel likely belongs to one of the early beta testers, but pinpointing the exact individual is difficult.
YouTube Stats 2024: A Look at the Demographics and Usage Trends
YouTube’s user count of 2.69 billion places it second on the list of most-used social media platforms, only behind Facebook. India boasts the most YouTube users, estimated at 467 million, followed by the United States with 247 million users. Interestingly, globally, more women than men use YouTube.
As of Q4 2023 (October-December): YouTube’s global advertising revenue reached $9.2 billion, marking a 15.5% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Individual creators earn between $1.61 and $29.3 per 1000 views. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, the average YouTuber in the US makes around $1,154 per week or $4,616 per month.
YouTube Monthly Active Users
YouTube’s monthly active users statistic measures how many unique visitors the platform receives in a given month. Currently, YouTube has over 2.69 billion monthly active users, including more than 100 million paid subscribers who use YouTube Premium and Music services. It’s worth noting that this figure only represents logged-in users, and the actual numbers may be even higher.
Here are some additional details about YouTube’s monthly active users:
- The figure only counts logged-in users, so the actual number may be even higher.
- India leads the pack with an estimated 467 million users, followed by the USA with 247 million.
- As of January 2024, YouTube Music and Premium has crossed 100M subscribers, including trials available in over 100 countries and regions.
- The most frequent estimate suggests around 3.7 million videos are uploaded daily.
- More than 720,000 hours of video are uploaded to the platform daily.
It’s important to note that this data varies slightly depending on the source. While some sources report closer to 2.69 billion monthly active users, the general consensus agrees that it’s well over 2.7 billion.
YouTube User Growth 2005-2024
YouTube’s user growth has been phenomenal. The first video, ‘Me at the Zoo‘ uploaded on YouTube dated April 24, 2005 — by the co-founder Jawed Karim — currently has over 307 million views.
YouTube reached 20 million users in 2006, 160 million users in 2008, and 2 billion users in 2019. As of 2024, YouTube has 2.49 billion users, representing close to half of the global online population. With its continuous growth, YouTube currently ranks as the second most visited website worldwide, surpassed only by its parent company, Google.
| Year | Monthly YouTube Users |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 0.9 million1 |
| 2006 | 20 million2 |
| 2007 | 70 million |
| 2008 | 160 million3 |
| 2009 | 250 million |
| 2010 | 320 million4 |
| 2011 | 500 million |
| 2012 | 800 million5 |
| 2013 | 1 billion |
| 2014 | 1.20 billion |
| 2015 | 1.32 billion |
| 2016 | 1.57 billion6 |
| 2017 | 1.64billion |
| 2018 | 1.85 billion |
| 2019 | 2.0 billion |
| 2020 | 2.18 billion7 |
| 2021 | 2.24 billion8 |
| 2022 | 2.35 billion9 |
| 2023 | 2.49 billion |
| 2024 | 2.70 billion10 |
NOTE: Above figures are just estimate that depends on various online resources. YouTube didn’t officially disclose monthly user figures throughout its history.
YouTube Users by Country in 2024
YouTube’s popularity extends beyond borders, with localization in over 100 countries and availability in 80 different languages. India leads the pack with the largest YouTube audience, followed closely by the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico. The dominance of these countries is reflected in their substantial user counts.
List of top 20 countries based on YouTube audience size as of October 2023:
| Country | YouTube Users |
|---|---|
| India | 462 million |
| USA | 239 million |
| Brazil | 144 million |
| Indonesia | 139 million |
| Mexico | 83.1 million |
| Japan | 78.6 million |
| Pakistan | 71.7 million |
| Germany | 67.8 million |
| Vietnam | 63 million |
| Philippines | 58.1 million |
| Turkey | 57.5 million |
| UK | 56.2 million |
| France | 50.7 million |
| Egypt | 44.7 million |
| South Korea | 44.3 million |
| Thailand | 44.2 million |
| Italy | 42.8 million |
| Spain | 39.7 million |
| Bangladesh | 33.6 million |
| Canada | 31.9 million |
Most Used Social Media Platforms Worldwide
Here’s a breakdown of the most used social media platforms worldwide in 2024 based on the number of monthly active users (MAUs):
Top 5:
- Facebook: 3.05 billion MAUs (undisputed king, reaching almost 40% of the world’s population).
- WhatsApp: 2.78 billion MAUs (mainly used for private messaging, also owned by Meta).
- YouTube: 2.49 billion MAUs (dominant video platform, attracting viewers with diverse content).
- Instagram: 2.04 billion MAUs (popular for photo and video sharing, especially among younger demographics).
- WeChat: 1.32 billion MAUs (primarily used in China, offering various features beyond just messaging).
Other notable platforms:
- TikTok: 1.22 billion MAUs (popular for short-form videos, gaining traction globally)
- Telegram: 800 million MAUs (secure messaging app, growing its user base)
- Snapchat: 750 million MAUs (known for its disappearing messages and filters, popular among teens)
- Kuaishou: 673 million MAUs (Chinese short-form video platform, rivaling TikTok)
- Sina Weibo: 599 million MAUs (microblogging platform popular in China)
YouTube User Demographics
YouTube’s user base is diverse, attracting people from all demographics. Globally, 54.3% of users are between 18 and 34 years old. Globally, there are more male users than female users, with 54.4% being male and 45.6% being female.
In terms of age, more than half of YouTube users are from the Gen Z and Millennial generations. In the US, 50.6% of users belong to Gen Z and Millennials (born between 1981 and 2012). In the USA, YouTube usage is higher among high earners, as 90% of those earning $75,000 or more visit YouTube.
In the US, 51.4% of adult YouTube users are female, 48.6% are male. Only 15% of US YouTube users are Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964). Younger audiences spend the most time on the YouTube mobile app.
YouTube Usage by Device
With the rise of smartphones and smart TVs, YouTube’s viewing options have expanded beyond PCs and laptops. Currently, 70% of all YouTube views come from mobile devices, while desktop computers account for only 20% of views. The YouTube mobile app has over 10 billion downloads on the Google Play store, indicating the platform’s popularity on mobile devices.
- Mobile (smartphones & tablets): Accounts for roughly 70% of all YouTube views. This share has been steadily increasing due to the convenience and ubiquity of smartphones.
- Desktop: Holds around 20% of usage. While declining slightly, desktop still offers larger screens and potentially better internet connections for longer viewing sessions.
- Smart TVs & Connected Devices: Growing steadily, capturing around 10% of usage. This includes devices like Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV, offering a big-screen experience without a computer.
Most-Subscribed YouTube Channels in 2024
T-Series, India’s largest music label, reigns as the most-subscribed YouTube channel, with 259 million subscribers. Other highly subscribed channels include MrBeast, CocoMelon – Nursery Rhymes, and SET India. These channels demonstrate the broad range of content that attracts millions of viewers.
Here are the top 10 most-subscribed YouTube channels:
- T-Series (India) – 259 million subscribers This Indian record label specializes in Hindi film soundtracks and Indi-pop music, catering to a massive audience in India and beyond.
- MrBeast (USA) – 238 million subscribers American YouTuber MrBeast, known for his outlandish stunts and philanthropy, continues to be a fan favorite, attracting millions with his unique content.
- Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes (USA) – 171 million subscribers This channel features catchy nursery rhymes and educational songs, perfect for keeping young children entertained.
- SET India (India) – 168 million subscribers Another Indian entry, SET India is the television broadcasting arm of Sony Pictures Networks India, offering a variety of entertainment content.
- Kids Diana Show (Ukraine/USA) – 119 million subscribers This channel features the adventures of a young girl named Diana, capturing the hearts of children worldwide.
- Like Nastya (Russia/USA) – 112 million subscribers Similar to Kids Diana Show, Like Nastya showcases the daily life and activities of a young girl named Anastasia, entertaining millions of young viewers.
- PewDiePie (Sweden) – 111 million subscribers This Swedish gamer and comedian remains a popular figure on YouTube, despite being surpassed by some newer channels in subscriber count.
- Vlad and Niki (Russia) – 110 million subscribers Two brothers, Vlad and Niki, star in this channel filled with challenges, pranks, and other kid-friendly content.
- Zee Music Company (India) – 104 million subscribers Another Indian music label, Zee Music Company offers a diverse range of music videos across various genres.
- WWE (USA) – 99.4 million subscribers The official channel of World Wrestling Entertainment features highlights, interviews, and other wrestling-related content.
It’s worth noting that subscriber numbers can fluctuate, so this list may not be exactly the same tomorrow. However, it gives you a good idea of the most popular YouTube channels in 2024.
Most-Viewed YouTube Videos
The most viewed YouTube video of all time is “Baby Shark Dance,” with over 14.1 billion views. Other top-ranking videos include “See You Again”, “Despacito,” “Johny Johny Yes Papa,” and “Shape of You.” Music dominates the list, reaffirming the popularity of music-related content on YouTube.
Here are the top 7 most-viewed videos on YouTube as of today, February 10, 2024:
- Baby Shark Dance | #babyshark Most Viewed Video | Animal Songs | PINKFONG Songs for Children (14.1 billion views) – This catchy children’s song by Pinkfong has taken the world by storm, becoming the most-viewed video on YouTube of all time.
- Despacito – Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee (8.4 billion views) – This Latin pop song was a global phenomenon, breaking the record for the most-viewed video on YouTube at the time.
- Johny Johny Yes Papa by LooLoo Kids (6.9 billion) – This is the most popular version of the song on YouTube, with a catchy tune and colorful animation that appeals to young children.
- Bath Song by Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes (6.6 billion views): Another nursery rhyme from Cocomelon, this video features catchy music and adorable babies enjoying bath time.
- Shape of You by Ed Sheeran (6.19 billion) – The music video features Ed Sheeran dancing in various locations around the world, including Ghana and Puerto Rico.
- See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth (6.09 billion views): This emotional tribute to the late Paul Walker was released in 2015 and quickly became one of the most popular songs of the year.
- Dynamite by BTM (5.9 billion views): This Korean pop song was a global phenomenon in 2020, with its music video breaking records for the most views in 24 hours.
It’s interesting to note that the first top most-viewed video is music video, while the second top most viewed video is a children’s song. This shows the diversity of content that can be successful on YouTube, and the power of music to connect with people from all over the world.
YouTube by the Money
In November 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock. Today, YouTube earns nearly 5x that amount in quarterly ad revenue, which amounted to $22.31 billion in the first nine months of 2023.
YouTube’s advertising revenue accounts for a significant share of Alphabet’s overall revenue. Additionally, YouTube’s Premium and Music services have reached 100 million subscribers worldwide, further contributing to its revenue stream. For content creators, earnings vary significantly based on engagement rates, ranging from $1.61 to $29.30 for every 1000 video views.
Here’s a breakdown of YouTube’s revenue in 2023:
Total Advertising Revenue:
- $29.24 billion: This represents a slight increase from $28.84 billion in 2022. Note that advertising revenue in Q4 2023 was $9.2 billion i.e. 15.5% increased compared to Q4 2022.
- 10.25% of Google’s total revenue: YouTube is a significant contributor to Google’s bottom line.
Other sources of revenue:
- YouTube Premium: While exact figures aren’t publicly available, estimates suggest 100 million subscribers generate additional revenue.
- Channel memberships and merchandise sales: Though smaller, these also contribute to creator and platform earnings.
Conclusion
As we move forward in 2024, we can expect YouTube to continue innovating and adapting. Short-form content, personalization algorithms, and live streaming are likely to see further development, while creator monetization options and the platform’s global reach are expected to expand.
Understanding these statistics empowers viewers, creators, and marketers to navigate the ever-evolving YouTube landscape and make informed decisions about their video experiences. Whether you are a creator or a viewer, YouTube offers boundless opportunities for entertainment, education, and connection.
- Launched in February 2005, YouTube attracted 30,000 visitors per day by May. By December, it was serving over 2 million video views daily, but there’s no official record of monthly active users at that time. ↩︎
- YouTube was acquired by Google in November 2006 for $1.65 billion, highlighting its growth potential. 20 million monthly visitors: This figure comes from Nielsen/NetRatings and represents an average across the year. ↩︎
- This is the most consistent estimate found across various sources like Backlinko and Statista. ↩︎
- This estimate comes from data on quarterly active users reported by YouTube itself. In Q1 2010, there were about 24 million quarterly active users, and by Q4 2010, that number had risen to around 1 billion. ↩︎
- In 2012, Google released new statistics around YouTube usage across the world. As per that press report, the platform indeed crossed the milestone of 800 million monthly active users, marking a significant step in its growth trajectory. ↩︎
- This is the most commonly cited figure for YouTube’s monthly active users in 2016, according to sources like Statista, Business of Apps, and DemandSage. ↩︎
- While specific figures for each month aren’t available, it’s estimated that YouTube had around 2.18 billion monthly active users in 2020. This number represented approximately 30% of the global population at the time. Compared to 2019, the user base grew significantly in 2020, fueled by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic leading to increased reliance on online activities. ↩︎
- In 2021, YouTube had an average of 2.24 billion monthly active users. 2021 saw a significant increase compared to 2020, which had around 2.18 billion users. ↩︎
- In 2022, YouTube had an average of 2.35 billion monthly active users. This data comes from online sources which gather information from various market research firms and industry reports. Over 50% of internet users who access YouTube do so on their mobile devices in 2022. The average YouTube user spends over 1 hour per day watching videos on the platform. ↩︎
- As of February 2024, YouTube has over 2.7 billion monthly active users. This means more than 51% of all internet users access the platform at least once a month. ↩︎