How YouTube Became the Second Most Visited Website in Existence: The Story So Far

According to one recent study, YouTube had more than 2.68 billion active users as of 2023. The streaming giant's "YouTube Premium" paid accounts total nearly 80 million active customers all over the world. It's been estimated that over 50% of Internet users head to the site at least once a month and, through both websites and apps, about 122 million people visit content hosted on it daily.

These days, if you're searching for a particular video clip like a recent news interview or even an episode of a television show you remember from decades ago, it's almost muscle memory to head to YouTube and see if it's there. The chances are high that it will be.

But it wasn't always like this. YouTube may officially be the second most visited website in existence, but it certainly didn't look destined to achieve that status.

YouTube: In the Beginning

YouTube as we know it was originally launched in February 2005. It was founded by three entrepreneurs - Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. They had befriended each other while working at PayPal and were all very different, particularly in terms of their education.

Not long after meeting, the trio decided to quit their jobs. They believed that they could put their heads together and come up with the type of idea that would "change the world" - they just didn't initially know what that idea would be.

At first, it took the form of a dating site called Tune In, Hook Up. It allowed users to upload video clips and share them with other users for free. The intention was that someone would upload a personal clip that would then be seen by someone who was interested, thus sparking a romantic connection.

While the site itself never took off, the underlying technology proved to be something worth holding onto. They decided to pivot to becoming a full-fledged online video platform and, after a lengthy period of development, launched at the beginning of the year in 2005.

Onward and Upward

It would be safe to say that things started going well for YouTube and its co-founders almost immediately. The company officially began life as a tech startup backed by venture capitalists. Throughout the course of six months, they raised a significant amount of money from various backers, including notable names like Sequoia Capital.

Even though YouTube was not the first video-sharing site on the Internet, it quickly became among the most popular. It was the home of early viral videos like the Lonely Island "Lazy Sunday" sketch from "Saturday Night Live," for example. By July 2006, more than 100 million views were taking place every day and more than 65,000 new videos were being uploaded.

It was in October 2006 that YouTube was purchased by Google for a staggering $1.65 billion. With that came a major expansion in not only the technology that powered YouTube but what the platform allowed people to accomplish.

Over the next decade, the rise of YouTube coincided with the rise of Google's AdSense program, for example. Ads would run alongside videos that allowed both the content creator and the associated brands to earn money.

This led to the beginning of the "YouTube Influencer" era. Suddenly, it was possible for people from all backgrounds and in virtually any location to upload content ranging from short films to Internet-based TV shows to vlogs, music videos, and build their own audience.

Flash forward to today and YouTube continues to expand. YouTube Kids is a channel filled with family-friendly all-ages programming, for example. The appropriately named YouTube Music is where both independent artists and some of the world's most popular musicians go to debut new songs, give interviews, and more. YouTube TV is a live-streaming service so successful that it has replaced cable for many households.

It's been estimated that, as of 2021, YouTube brought in revenue in excess of $28.8 billion.

All this was possible because, once upon a time, three young entrepreneurs sat in a garage and tried to think up new ways to change the world. They had an idea... that turned out to not be one that anyone was interested in. But they didn't give up. They got rid of what didn't work (the idea of a video-centric online dating platform in the early 2000s) and kept what did (the underlying technology).

That one pivot took what could have been a flash-in-the-pan novelty and transformed it into one of the most valuable brands in existence. It's an important lesson for entrepreneurs and dreamers everywhere to remember - and it's hardly the only example throughout the history of technology in particular.

Share this article...

Sign up for our newsletter.

Each month, we will send you a roundup of our latest blog content covering the tax and accounting tips & insights you need to know.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

We care about the protection of your data.

See why our clients love us!

Thomas S.

The very best

Honey S.

I found Jeffrey on the internet, as I was looking for a local person with good reviews and comments.We have no...
Read More

EDWARD L.

I was very satisfied with the service in preparing my taxes. The office was very accommodating and efficient i...
Read More

Cece D.

By far the best tax preparer Ever! Great to work with-no shame when you can't get docs over right away and nud...
Read More

Cece D.

Jeffrey is very knowledgeable . We have utilized his services for many years and highly recommend him. He make...
Read More

Ronald L.

I've had tax preparer my whole live. Jeff understands the tax codes and gives me his experience in preparing...
Read More

Thomas S.

He is a super star!

Tom K.

Jeff goes the extra mile, always responsive and great tax advice. It has been an incredibly professional and e...
Read More

George S.

Loved working with Jeffrey! So thorough and answered all my questions and did an incredible job on making sur...
Read More

Ashleigh Y.

Jeff was great in getting past tax concerns answered and take care of. Very professional and knowledgeable!

Honey S.

My husband Mort and I have been using Jeffrey Quatrone for several years. He is very personable, knowledgea...
Read More

Tom K.

Jeff goes the extra mile, always responsive and great tax advice. It has been an incredibly professional and e...
Read More

David P.

Jeffrey first met with us to help us out with a tax audit we got on our 2012 taxes due to a program glitch in ...
Read More

Cece D.

Jeffrey is very knowledgeable . We have utilized his services for many years and highly recommend him. He make...
Read More

Lou S.

Very professional and thorough. Jeff is certainly well schooled and very knowledgeable about our ever changing...
Read More

Magdalena P.

Amazing service and highly recommended. Jeffrey was very patient and understanding and helped me relieve my ta...
Read More

Ronald L.

Jeff's my guy. I can only hope Jeffery can continue doing my taxes for many years to come. Finding someone y...
Read More

Doug G.

Good

Hugo S.

If you need a trustworthy and very knowledgeable tax professional that takes his time and keeps you informed, ...
Read More

Tom K.

Last year my Enrolled Agent of 20 years retired so I switched over to Jeff and I'm happy that I did. He is inc...
Read More

Trude Q.

A very good business man does excellent job would highly recommend him for all your accounting and tax prep. A...
Read More

Doug G.

Ok

Beatriz R.

I was doing my taxes in California for years, one of my worries was finding the right person , I found Jeffre...
Read More

Dana B.

I have been using Mr. Quatrone's services since 2014 and each and every time he has proven to be extremely dep...
Read More

Edward L.

I recently moved to Arizona from another state. I was glad to see Jeffrey knew about New Jersey taxes and was ...
Read More

Linda O.

Jeff knows his stuff. Helped me out of a difficult situation!!! Only he knows' what I'm talking about. :

Margaret W.

Jeff is first class! I have been kept informed since day one on everything. Made me feel very comfortable from...
Read More

Edward L.

I recently moved to Arizona from another state. I was glad to see Jeffrey knew about New Jersey taxes and was ...
Read More

Denise B.

Jeffrey is knowledgeable and professional. Being newly single and new in Arizona, he has taught me much. I t...
Read More

Jerry A.

We are happy to recommend Mr Quatrone. He is efficient, responsive and keeps us informed all year. We like ...
Read More

Hugo S.

It's very unusual to find a Tax Professionalthat takes enough time to listen to you and explains everything in...
Read More

Victoria C.

Mr. Quatrone has been doing my taxes for many years. He is personable and professional, going out of his way ...
Read More

Judy J.

Did an excellent job of explaining what need to be done to file taxes in two states along with Federal as a ne...
Read More

John P.

I have been using Jeffrey for several years. Great to do business with. Highly recommend his service.

Samantha W.

Edward L.

I recently moved to Arizona from another state. I was glad to see Jeffrey knew about New Jersey taxes and was ...
Read More

Doug G.

good job

Pasquale L.

Jeffrey is very knowledgeable at what he does. He looks out for his clients and keeps them well informed. A t...
Read More

Pat H.

Jeffrey is very knowledgable about all areas of tax law. He sends a great newsletter to keep his clients infor...
Read More

Betty W.

Jeffrey has worked with my family for a few years.He did a great job unraveling difficult problems. So happy h...
Read More

Tom C.

Jeffrey is knowledgeable with the current tax laws and is very informative. He is very easy to talk to and has...
Read More

Trude Q.

Great job,

Mort P.

Jeffrey was efficient and did a good job on our taxes. He was patient and explained when we asked for informa...
Read More

Evan R.

I have been going to Jeff for my taxes for 4-5 years now. Always up to date on current tax laws. Very friendly...
Read More

D F.

Jeffrey did an awesome job of handling my personal and business taxes. I appreciate his open and friendly man...
Read More

Pat H.

Jeffrey is very knowledgable about all areas of tax law. He sends a great newsletter to keep his clients infor...
Read More

Linda O.

I've been a business owner all my life. I've had numerous CPAs'....Jeff has been my CPA now for a couple year...
Read More

Fred M.

Jeff Quatrone helped me submit an Offer in compromise for unpaid back taxes. He was professional, responsive, ...
Read More

Lou S.

Congrats, Jeff!!!! Best of luck at your new "home"! Looking forward to seeing you in 2018!!

Honey S.

My husband and I have been using Jeffrey for our taxes for several years. He is so very knowledgeable, persona...
Read More

Doug G.

good job

DeWayne W.

Jeffrey is one of the kindest, knowledgeable and responsible people I have ever met. I attempted two other ta...
Read More

Pat H.

Jeffrey is very knowledgable about all areas of tax law. He sends a great newsletter to keep his clients infor...
Read More

Philip A.

Mr. Quatrone was the treasurer of my political campaign. He kept accurate track of all my donations and expens...
Read More