The History of Youtube
Youtube is a video sharing platform that was founded in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees – Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. The idea for Youtube was born out of a frustration with the limited options for sharing videos online at the time. Youtube quickly became a popular platform for sharing and watching videos, and by November 2005, it was receiving over 8 million views per day.
In November 2006, Google acquired Youtube for $1.65 billion, and the platform continued to grow in popularity. By 2010, Youtube was receiving over 2 billion views per day, and it continues to be one of the most popular websites on the internet today.
The First Video Uploaded to Youtube
The first video ever uploaded to Youtube was titled “Me at the zoo” and was uploaded by co-founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005. The video was just 18 seconds long and featured Karim standing in front of the elephants at the San Diego Zoo, talking about their long trunks.
While the video was not particularly groundbreaking, it holds a special place in Youtube history as the first video ever uploaded to the platform.
The First Video to Reach 1 Million Views
While “Me at the zoo” may have been the first video uploaded to Youtube, it was not the first video to reach 1 million views. That honor goes to a video titled “Nike Football: Ronaldinho Touch of Gold” which was uploaded in April 2005.
The video features Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho showing off his skills with a football, and it quickly became a viral sensation. The video reached 1 million views in just 24 hours, making it the first Youtube video to reach that milestone.
The Impact of the First Video to Reach 1 Million Views
The success of the “Ronaldinho Touch of Gold” video had a significant impact on Youtube and the world of online video. It demonstrated the power of viral content and the potential for individuals and companies to reach a massive audience through Youtube.
Since then, many videos have gone on to reach 1 million views and beyond. Today, it is not uncommon for videos to receive millions or even billions of views on Youtube.
The Most Viewed Videos on Youtube
While the “Ronaldinho Touch of Gold” video was the first to reach 1 million views, it is far from the most viewed video on Youtube today. As of 2021, the most viewed video on Youtube is “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong, which has over 8 billion views.
Other videos with billions of views include “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee, “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, and “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran.
The Future of Youtube
Youtube continues to be one of the most popular websites on the internet, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The platform is constantly evolving, with new features and tools being added all the time to make it easier for creators to share their content and for viewers to find and enjoy videos.
As Youtube continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see what new milestones and records are set, and what impact the platform will have on the world of online video in the years to come.
