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YouTube Turns 20!

How did a site for sharing videos with friends end up changing the world?

March 17, 2025
By Ellen Song

As You Read, Think About: What makes YouTube so popular?

When you’re looking for something to watch, chances are you’ll go to YouTube. The site hosts more than 14 billion videos. That includes funny clips of dogs, speeches by world leaders, and just about everything in between.

But it all started with a blurry video of a man standing near elephants at a zoo. One of YouTube’s founders posted it on April 23, 2005. The 19-second clip launched a site that would forever change how people are entertained and informed.

“YouTube was one of the first places where people could find videos about almost anything,” says Jonah Berger. He’s a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Berger studies why YouTube videos go viral.

Looking for something to watch? Chances are you’ll go to YouTube. The site has more than 14 billion videos. That includes everything from funny clips of dogs to speeches by world leaders.

But it all started with a blurry video. In it, a man stands near elephants at a zoo. One of YouTube’s founders posted it on April 23, 2005. The clip was only 19 seconds long. It launched a site that changed how people are entertained and informed.

“YouTube was one of the first places where people could find videos about almost anything,” says Jonah Berger. He’s a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Berger studies why YouTube videos go viral.

Getting Started

In 2005, the internet as we know it had been in use for less than 10 years. There was no central site just for videos. Then YouTube’s founders came up with a way to upload and share clips easily. Their idea was for users to be able to share homemade videos with friends. 

Before long, YouTube became a place for people around the world to connect instantly. By the summer of 2006, YouTube’s videos were getting more than 100 million views each day. 

In 2005, the internet we know had been in use for less than 10 years. There was no main site just for videos. Then YouTube’s founders created a way to upload and share clips easily. They wanted to help users share homemade videos with friends. 

Soon people around the world could connect instantly on YouTube. By the summer of 2006, YouTube’s videos got more than 100 million views each day.

Spreading Fast

Viral videos didn’t start with YouTube. But the site enabled them to spread faster than ever. In May 2007, a man in England uploaded a video. In it, his young son gets upset after his brother bites his finger. The dad wanted to share the clip with a friend in the U.S. 

But the video ended up going viral like none before it. By November 2009, “Charlie Bit My Finger” had been seen more than 130 million times. 

Viral videos didn’t start with YouTube. But the site allowed them to spread faster than ever. In May 2007, a man in England uploaded a video. In it, his young son gets upset after his brother bites his finger. The dad wanted to share the clip with a friend in the U.S. 

But the video went viral like none before it. By November 2009, “Charlie Bit My Finger” had been seen more than 130 million times. 

New Ways to Fame

By then, it was clear that YouTube could help people become famous. Performers started posting videos of themselves. Future pop stars like Justin Bieber landed recording deals after videos of them started racking up views on YouTube.

The site also led to a new type of career: YouTubers. Some make helpful tutorials, such as how to play guitar. Others record themselves playing video games or organizing their rooms. Back in 2005, the idea of millions of people watching these types of videos was unheard of.

Popular YouTubers earn money when viewers watch the ads that play before and during videos. Companies also pay some YouTubers to show products in their videos. 

The most successful YouTuber is Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast. His main YouTube channel has more than 360 million subscribers. That success has helped him start other businesses. Altogether, MrBeast says he makes up to $700 million per year.

By then, it was clear that YouTube could help people become famous. Performers started posting videos of themselves. Future stars like Justin Bieber signed recording deals after their videos started racking up views.   

The site also led to a new type of career: YouTubers. Some make tutorials, such as how to play guitar. Other YouTubers record their activities. These include playing video games or cleaning their rooms. Back in 2005, the idea of millions watching these types of videos just didn’t exist.

YouTubers earn money when you watch the ads that play before and during videos. Companies also pay some YouTubers to show products in their videos. 

The most successful YouTuber is Jimmy Donaldson. He’s better known as MrBeast. He has more than 360 million YouTube subscribers. That success has helped him start other businesses. Altogether, MrBeast says he makes up to $700 million per year.

Still Growing

Twenty years ago, few people could have imagined how big YouTube would get. From October 2023 to September 2024, the site had more than $50 billion in revenue. Users upload 500 hours of content every minute. YouTube shows no signs of slowing down.

“People will continue to post videos,” says Berger. “People from all over the world will keep finding them useful.” 

Twenty years ago, few people could have known how big YouTube would get. From October 2023 to September 2024, the site had more than $50 billion in revenue. Users upload 500 hours of content every minute. YouTube shows no signs of slowing down.

“People will continue to post videos,” says Berger. “People from all over the world will keep finding them useful.” 

How YouTube Keeps You Watching

Every time you see an ad on YouTube, the site makes money. And the more videos you watch, the more ads you’re likely to see. To keep you watching, YouTube relies on algorithms to show you videos it thinks you’ll like. Algorithms are sets of rules that apps and websites use to determine what to show each user.

“The purpose of the algorithm is to keep you engaged,” says Laura Ordoñez, an expert on the ways kids use technology. Ordoñez works for an organization called Common Sense Media. “Sometimes you can forget how long you’ve been watching.” 

To avoid nonstop viewing, Ordoñez suggests setting time limits. You can also turn off the autoplay feature, which automatically starts a new video after one ends. 

Every time you see an ad on YouTube, the site makes money. And the more videos you watch, the more ads you’re likely to see. To keep you watching, YouTube relies on algorithms to show you videos it thinks you’ll like. Algorithms are sets of rules that apps and websites use to determine what to show each user.

“The purpose of the algorithm is to keep you engaged,” says Laura Ordoñez, an expert on the ways kids use technology. Ordoñez works for an organization called Common Sense Media. “Sometimes you can forget how long you’ve been watching.” 

To avoid nonstop viewing, Ordoñez suggests setting time limits. You can also turn off the autoplay feature, which automatically starts a new video after one ends. 

  1. What was the original idea for YouTube? How did the platform change over time?
  2. According to the article, how can YouTubers make money?
  3. According to the sidebar, “How YouTube Keeps You Watching,” what are two steps you could take to avoid nonstop YouTube viewing?
  1. What was the original idea for YouTube? How did the platform change over time?
  2. According to the article, how can YouTubers make money?
  3. According to the sidebar, “How YouTube Keeps You Watching,” what are two steps you could take to avoid nonstop YouTube viewing?
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