YouTube | A short recap

• 2005: YouTube is founded by three former PayPal employees, Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim.
• 2006: Google acquires YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock. YouTube launches its Partner Program, allowing users to earn revenue from their videos.
• 2007: YouTube introduces its Content ID system, allowing copyright owners to identify and manage their content on the platform.
• 2008: YouTube surpasses Yahoo as the second-most visited website in the US, behind only Google.
• 2009: YouTube introduces its first live streaming service.
• 2010: YouTube launches YouTube Leanback, a version of the site optimized for watching on television screens.
• 2012: YouTube announces that it has surpassed 1 billion monthly active users.
• 2013: YouTube introduces its paid subscription service, YouTube Red (later renamed YouTube Premium), offering ad-free access to exclusive content.
• 2015: YouTube Gaming is launched, a platform dedicated to video game content.
• 2016: YouTube launches YouTube TV, a subscription-based live television service.
• 2017: YouTube introduces YouTube Go, a version of the platform designed for users in developing countries with limited internet connectivity.
• 2018: YouTube faces criticism for hosting controversial and offensive content, prompting the platform to take steps to better moderate and police its content.
• 2020: YouTube experiences a surge in usage and viewership during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people turn to online video for entertainment and information.