YouTube Turns 5
As YouTube enters its 5th year of existence I wanted to briefly look back at how much it has changed not only the Internet in those 5 years, but also people in the offline world.
I don’t think “transformation” comes anywhere close to how YouTube and video sharing sites alike have shaped the current use of the internet. “Evolved” is much more fitting and justified considering how much people can now share with the entire world with the help of a video camera and an internet connection to upload to the hungry masses.
It really is phenomenal how involved the world is getting with this evolution of the internet, which I genuinely believe was massively enhanced by video sharing websites, in particular YouTube. More people become involved each and every day.Even offline, people talk about it as if its a fundamental part of their social lives and interactions. Its a huge success for the younger generations that is expanding its possibilities and capabilities for older generations, and even businesses.
As a shift to online TV is beginning to occur in an almost revolutionary format, companies are trying to get involved and get in front of their ideal target audience with powerful messages that deliver responsive and accurate analytics to the effect of their viral campaigns. The “buzz” that comes as a result is an incredibly effective tool that allows viewers to share what they have seen to their communities in a powerful and traditional marketing technique, word of mouth, passing on the message to others.
Whilst this cannot work for every business out there, it has astonishing results for the ones it can help. A viral cannot work by simply being an advert you would see on TV, which is pushed on to the world, hoping the online masses will lap it up and take in the message and brand. The new generation expects more, it needs to be attracted to a viral, to hear from others that its “worth a watch”, and has pre-built buzz about it. This way they are pulled into the concept of it and encouraged to share it on with their communities, both online and offline.
It is an exciting (r)evolution that is still in its earlier phases, but nonetheless it is in active and in place. How the future will play out is ever changing. Attempts to find the perfect formula for this change is a exhilarating prospect indeed.
For what has started though, I personally thank the likes of YouTube and Facebook.
Happy Birthday YouTube.
