It’s rewind time! Check Out an Amazing Year in YouTube Statistics
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Since the first cat-playing-piano video surfaced online, these fluffballs have ruled the internet. Today, there is no better way to share funny clips of your pet riding a Roomba than via YouTube.
A website that started with a clip of a guy standing next to a bunch of elephants at the San Diego Zoo is now the world’s leading video-sharing platform. With billions of users and an estimated worth of over $23.89 billion, YouTube has revolutionized the online world and opened the door to countless lucrative careers.
Before you decide to “broadcast yourself,” here are the most important and latest YouTube statistics you should know.
Key YouTube Statistics 2023
- YouTube has over 2.68 billion active monthly users.
- Every minute, 500 hours of video are posted to YouTube.
- The second-most visited website worldwide is YouTube.
- YouTube’s ad revenue amounted to $29.24 billion in 2022.
- Every every day, 1 billion hours of video are viewed.
- The most popular YouTube video has 12.38 billion views and 39.43 million likes.
- YouTube has over 2.514 billion users as of January 2023.
- With 467 million users, India has the largest number of YouTube subscribers.
- As of 2023, YouTube has an estimated worth of over $23.89 billion.
YouTube Usage Statistics
YouTube is the second-most visited website worldwide, which tells a lot about its high usage and penetration rate worldwide. Below are some current statistics on YouTube usage as of 2023.
1. The second-most visited website worldwide is YouTube.
(Similar Web)
Google is the only website that surpasses YouTube in terms of the sheer volume of visitors. It’s also worth noting that Google has owned YouTube since November 2006. The California-based tech giant owns the world’s top two biggest websites. YouTube’s main competitor, Twitch, is 35th on the list of most popular websites, while Vimeo – another video-sharing platform – is far below 170th place.
2. YouTube has 2.6 billion active monthly users.
(Global Media Insight)
As of 2023, it was estimated that there were 5.16 billion internet users worldwide. And according to the latest YouTube statistics, there are currently 2.6 billion active monthly users on Youtube.
YouTube’s influence on modern culture has become so vast that people creating content for the platform are known as YouTubers. The platform shares news, video blogs, guides, entertainment, and more.
3. Audiences watch 1 billion hours of video every day.
(YouTube & Oberlo)
YouTube’s popularity has never been more significant. Unsurprisingly, billions of hours are spent watching videos on the platform, given the number of users. After all, the platform is designed to captivate its audience and the binge-watching of TV shows and Netflix, which has now spilled over onto our favorite YouTube channels.
4. Every minute, 500 hours of video are posted to YouTube.
(Statista)
Research from June 2022 shows YouTube’s traffic stats and just how much video content YouTube receives from its uploaders. For every real-life minute, 30,000 minutes of fresh content become available on the site. That means watching every content the audience is interested in would take several lifetimes.
5. Mobile devices account for more than 63% of watch time.
(Statista)
The internet has been moving from our desktops to mobile for a while, and the latest YouTube statistics and data confirm that the audience prefers their smartphones’ privacy. Year after year, YouTube remains the most downloaded mobile app among Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. YouTube mobile clinched the top spot on Apple’s App Store two years ago. The website has also introduced plenty of mobile-friendly changes to its video player, the most notable of which was the vertical video. Users can already manage their accounts and even stream on YouTube all within its mobile app.
6. YouTube offers localized content in 80 languages.
(IvanNovation)
YouTube launched local versions in over 100 countries. It currently offers localized content in at least 80 different languages. And as the company states, it covers 95% of the internet population this way.
7. 60% of Genz YouTube viewers use the platform to search for TV shows or movies
(YouTube)
People aged 18 to 34 commonly use YouTube as a video search platform. Many users prefer to search for their favorite TV shows or snippets of movies on the forum. According to an independent survey, 17.7% of the respondents preferred viewing video content on YouTube, while a mere 9.8% chose basic cable.
8. YouTube accounts for 10.11% of all music streamed today regarding subscribers.
(Earth Web)
Although YouTube wasn’t designed to be a streaming music service, the platform is an increasingly popular place to listen to music legally. Artists and their record labels now publish almost all new songs on YouTube to everyone’s satisfaction.
The artist gets revenue and exposure from all the views. At the same time, the audience can sample the album without paying for it first. A browse through the top YouTube videos shows that this tactic has proven successful.
9. The majority of YouTube viewers are in the United States.
(Statista)
As of January 2023, India used YouTube the most, with 467 million active users. The United States. was second with 246 million users, while Brazil accounted for 142 million active users—YouTube’s audience.
YouTube User Statistics 2023
These latest YouTube user statistics will be an eye-opener of how deep-rooted this social media platform has become globally.
10. 86% of YouTube users in the U.S. see it as a learning platform.
(Yum Yum Videos)
The easiest way to teach someone anything new is by using visuals. Video tutorials are, therefore, viral on this platform, and more than half of surveyed American adults want to learn something new with each visit. Meanwhile, 28% of Americans prefer to be entertained and hang around YouTube to pass the time.
11. 90% of online shoppers rely on YouTube videos to learn more and discover new products online.
(Oberlo)
YouTube stats show that less than 50% of adult users in the U.S. use YouTube videos when deciding whether to purchase a product. The same percentage of users said the platform is one of their news sources.YouTube’s diverse ecosystem means many items and services will find an audience on the platform.
12. Over 50% of shoppers used online videos while shopping in physical stores.
(Think with Google)
Videos have proven to be the best research tool for shopping. That’s why many shoppers who watch videos said they seek shopping advice from YouTube before heading elsewhere. Shop-with-me has emerged as a trendy format of videos.
13. An average visitor spends 19 minutes on YouTube daily.
(Techjury)
For some, YouTube is an addiction; for others, who prefer Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, not so much. The platform has pushed hard for longer formats, rewarding producers of 10 minutes or longer videos with more ad revenue. However, the reality is that the average viewer doesn’t spend a lot of time on the site.
14. 62% of Americans watch YouTube daily.
(Social Shepherd)
Based on YouTube statistics, the majority of the YouTube audience in the U.S. uses the platform daily. 38% of the respondents said they visit the website multiple times a day, while 92% turn on YouTube more than once a week. Just 98% said they watch YouTube content more than once per month.
15. YouTube is equally popular among men than women in the US.
(Global Media Insight)
54.4% of male internet users in the U.S. used YouTube as of 2023. Similarly, 45.6% of all female internet users also spent time on the video platform during the same period. This isn’t surprising because the platform caters to all ages and different tastes. Compared to many other platforms, YouTube can be considered an all-around website.
16. 87% of the U.S. Millennials are on YouTube.
(Statista)
For so many social media networks, one rule always applies – the younger the audience, the more popular the network. That’s especially true for YouTube demographics. As the age rises, the popularity of the platform drops. So, among internet users aged 56 and older, only 58% said they watch YouTube content. That is still impressive and confirms that this website offers a wide variety of content.
17. 81% of American parents allow their children to watch YouTube content.
(Pew Research Center)
Nowadays, younger generations get introduced to technology at a much younger age. Parents with preteen and younger kids mostly let their children watch YouTube, but 61% said their children encountered content unsuitable for their age. Although some channels tend to create family-friendly content, many don’t, so using a parental control app is advisable.
18. More than 5 million people are subscribed to YouTube TV.
(Wikipedia)
YouTube’s answer to cable television has proven to be quite popular. But this subscription service doesn’t come cheap. The company raised its monthly subscription rates to $72.99 from its launch fee of $35 just one year ago. Subscribers get fantastic benefits like family member accounts and TV program recordings. Currently, the offer covers more than 70 popular TV channels.
YouTube Money Statistics for 2023
YouTube is a social media platform full of endless money-making opportunities for individuals, brands, and business owners as long as you have the needed skills and expertise. Entrepreneurs, brands, and individuals take advantage of its high penetration rate and number of users worldwide to market their skills and products, making a tremendous amount of money from it in the process.
The annual revenue generated from ads, games, video uploads, and streamings is a testament to this fact.
19. YouTube’s market share among video platforms is over 73%.
(DataNyze)
The biggest video-sharing website in the world had been a while since the actual competition. Vimeo is still a distant second with a 17% market share. As the leader in this field, YouTube sets new trends and generates a lot of money for Google.
20. YouTube’s brand value is estimated at $23.89 billion.
(Statista)
In 2006, Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion. Today, the value of the company is far higher. It is now the second most valuable social media site after Facebook. YouTube has significantly impacted pop culture and internet users’ habits, solidifying its position as the video-sharing platform leader.
21. YouTube’s ad revenue amounted to $29.24 billion in 2022.
(Statista)
Advertising plays a significant role when it comes to YouTube’s annual revenue. After all, that is how the company earns money and pays its popular creators. The future is looking bright, with analysts predicting a record-breaking year. YouTube earned about $29.24 billion in 2022 from running ads alone, up from $28.84 billion in 2021.
22. The number of channels earning $100,000+ a year grew by 40%.
(Music Business Worldwide)
For many content creators, becoming a full-time YouTuber isn’t just a dream anymore. Recent YouTube money stats revealed many channels with a six-figure income, either by running ads on their videos or via sponsorships and brand deals. Most parents might find it silly if their child wants to become a YouTuber for a living, but today this is a well-paid profession.
23. Jeffrey Star is the richest YouTuber, with a net worth of $200 million.
(Tasty Edits)
YouTuber statistics wouldn’t be complete without naming some of the celebrities. And with great fame comes a great paycheck. The money comes from sponsored videos and brand deals. Jeffrey Star is a make-up artist, musician, and entrepreneur from Orange County who started his career in the heyday of MySpace.
He later launched his brand of cosmetic products along with a music album. Today, with an annual income of $15 to $20 million and 15.9 million fans, his videos garnered over 1 billion views.
24. Videos earn up to $5 per 1,000 views.
(Business Insider)
When determining YouTube revenue, several criteria must be taken into account. Many analysts estimate a channel will earn $1 for every 1,000 views, but those numbers vary drastically in practice. The topic, target audience, and country where the video is watched will determine the income level.
A thousand views on a single video can net you anywhere between $I.69 and $29.30 for long videos. However, creators can earn $0.04 to $0.06 per 1000 short video views. For a channel to be eligible for monetization, you need 1,000 subscribers and your videos to generate 4,000 hours of watch time in a single calendar year.
25. The highest-earning YouTuber as of 2022 is Mr. Beast.
(Tasty Edits)
Mr. Beast is known for his outrageous videos and charitable content. Due to his content, he amassed 116 million subscribers as of 2022. He earns more than $3 million per month from his videos.
YouTube Video Statistics for 2023
Listing Video streaming platforms can’t be complete without mentioning YouTube, as it is at the top echelon of video streaming platforms.
Ever wondered who the highest YouTuber is as of 2023? Or the YouTuber with the highest number of subscribers? Or the most liked and viewed YouTube video?
Read on to find out!
26. The first YouTube video was uploaded in April 2005.
(CNN)
The first-ever video posted on YouTube in April 2005 was 18 seconds long. It featured one of the platform’s co-founders Jawed Karim. In the video “Me at the Zoo,” Karim offers enlightening commentary about elephants’ long trunks. The video quickly went viral, and the rest is history.
27. PewDiePie is the first individual to hit 100 million subscribers.
(CBC)
Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, has been a poster child of YouTube since 2010. Often viewed as a controversial figure, Kjellberg was crowned by the Guinness Book of Records in 2013 as the person with the most YouTube subscribers.
Stats weren’t on his side for long. In late 2017, he competed with an Indian record company, T-Series, as he raced to secure 100 million subscribers. He ultimately lost that race but remained the most prominent YouTube celebrity.
28. The first YouTube video with one billion views was Gangnam Style.
(Wikipedia)
Many believed the world would end on December 21, 2012. Of course, Armageddon didn’t happen, but another tectonic event struck the internet.South Korean artist PSY’se infectiously catchy “Gangnam Style” clocked up over one billion YouTube views.
Published in July of that same year, the song caught traction thanks to its upbeat melody and accompanying dance, which became a global movement. Today, “Gangnam Style” has nearly 3.5 billion views, while PSY’s audience is 13 million strong.
29. With over 39.43 million likes, “Baby Shark Dance” is the most popular YouTube video ever.
(Statista)
“Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong Kids’ Songs and Stories became the most popular YouTube video ever, with 39.43 million likes. The song quickly rose to the top of the global music charts. It also became the most-viewed YouTube video with 12.38 billion views. The second most popular clip is the “Despacito” music video by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee, which has 8.1 billion views.
30. YouTube Rewind 2018 is currently the most disliked video of all time.
(Wikipedia)
Every year, the YouTube team releases a video recapping the highlights of the previous twelve months. It features many of the year’s popular YouTubers and is intended to be a throwback to everything audiences liked.
In late 2018, the Rewind backfired and dethroned Justin Bieber’s “Baby” music video to become the most downvoted video on the platform. Although the 2019 edition of YouTube Rewind started with an apology and included more varied content, it is already the third most disliked video with close to 8 million downvotes.
31. The top 10 YouTube videos in 2022 were watched over 650 million times.
(Youtube)
Interesting YouTube channel stats come from the company itself. An average top 10 clip generated over 650 million views in 2022. These videos also generated over 55 million hours of watch time, and the channels that produced them have 225 million subscribers. But the best YouTube videos still can’t compete with the year’s most popular songs.
32. The highest-rated comment of all time got 3.2 million likes.
(Youtube)
YouTube’s comment rating system has never gotten the same attention and recognition as YouTube views. Seth Everman broke the record for the number of likes on a single comment. He commented on Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” music video. The comment read, “I’m the bald guy.” YouTube even rewarded Everman with a commemorative plaquette for his achievement.
33. With 37.7 million views, Dave’s ” Starlight ” music video is the most famous music video of 2022.
(NME)
The British rapper Dave released the music video for “Starlight” on March 2022, which Nathan Tettey directed alongside Dave himself. The video dominated headlines throughout 2022 and became the most famous music video on YouTube, garnering over 37 million views.
34. Korean boy band BTS’s single “Butter” broke the record for the fastest viral music video in 2022.
(Statista)
The music video for Korean boy band BTS’s single “Butter” was released in May 2021 and became the fastest viral music video to reach 100 million views in under 24 hours. They broke their initial record with their previous music video, “Dynamite,” and remain the artist with the most viral music video.
A Korean girl band called Blackpink’s music video, “Pink Venom,” released in August 2022, took second place with 100 million views within two days of release.
35. The “How Zach King Gets Away With Doing Graffiti” video by Dollarbill was the most-liked non-music video in 2022, with 22.07 million likes.
(Route Note)
“How Zach King Gets Away With Doing Graffiti,” a short form video by Dollarbill, overtook Mr. Beast’s ” Make This Video The Most Liked Video On Youtube” as the most-liked non-music YouTube video garnering over 22 million likes.
36. With over 50 billion views, Minecraft was the most popular game on YouTube in 2022.
(Stream Mentor)
Video games have always been a significant part of YouTube since its infancy. Some YouTube stars rose to fame thanks to gaming. The widely popular Let’s Play format helped propel many careers and is a good popularity barometer for current video games. In 2022, Minecraft was the most popular game on YouTube, with over 50 billion views and over 230 million copies sold.
37. YouTube gaming streams generated 1.17 billion hours of watch time in Q4 of 2022.
(VID IQ)
Twitch is still king among streaming platforms for gamers, but YouTube is more than capable of holding its own. During the fourth quarter of 2022, YouTube streams accounted for 1.17 billion hours of live gaming content. It all boils down to how each platform works best – YouTube for pre-recorded content, Twitch for live streaming.
38. Mr. Beast is the most subscribed YouTuber as of December 2022.
(Search Engine Journal)
A US-based Jimmy Donaldson, MrBeast started his YouTube in 2012 when he was only 13. He reclaimed the top position as the most subscribed YouTube channel from PewDiePie, with 116 million subscribers. He celebrated this remarkable feat by giving out his private Island; Forbes estimated his net worth to be about $500 million. Coming second is PewDiePie, with 111 million subscribers.
39. An average video produced by a popular YouTube channel is 11.7 to 12 minutes long.
(Pew Research Center & Statista)
Analysts noticed that bigger channels tended to produce longer videos. This is all tied in with how the ads work and algorithms recommend longer videos. Gaming channels produce the longest videos, 18 minutes on average. An average video gets 60,000 views during the first week.
Conclusion
Social Media is the best place to market your brand and business, as the world has gone digital.
YouTube is the second most popular website worldwide after Google, well known for its video-sharing services, and it keeps getting popular as the year goes by. Google bought it in 2006 at $1.6 billion; its total net worth is valued at over $23.89 billion, meaning the company’s value grew vastly in the last thirteen years.
Looking at these incredible YouTube statistics, it’s not surprising that entrepreneurs, businesses, brands, and content creators have seized their popularity to advertise their products and services and increase their earnings.
