In April 2025, YouTube commemorated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of transformation from a simple video-sharing platform to a multifaceted global entertainment hub. From its humble beginnings with the iconic “Me at the zoo” video to hosting over 20 billion uploaded videos, YouTube has significantly influenced how we consume and interact with content.
Key Milestones and Stats
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20 Million Videos Uploaded Daily: On average, over 20 million videos are uploaded to YouTube each day, showcasing the platform’s vast and ever-growing content library.
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3.5 Billion Daily Likes: Users engage actively, with over 3.5 billion likes given to videos daily, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm and support for creators.
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100 Million Daily Comments: In 2024, YouTube users averaged over 100 million comments per day, reflecting the platform’s role as a dynamic space for conversation and feedback.
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300+ Music Videos in the Billion Views Club: More than 300 music videos have surpassed one billion views, underscoring YouTube’s dominance in the music streaming industry.
Celebratory Features and Updates
To mark its 20th birthday, YouTube introduced several new features and enhancements:
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Multiview for Non-Sports Content: YouTube TV members can now build their own multiview setups with select non-sports content, starting with a small group of popular channels and expanding in the coming months.
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Voice-Reply to Comments: A feature that allows creators to voice-reply to comments on their videos is being rolled out to more creators later this year.
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Ask Music: A personalized radio station feature where users can describe the type of music they’re in the mood for. Available on iOS and Android for all YouTube Premium and YouTube Music users.
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4x Playback Speed: YouTube Premium members on mobile devices can now enjoy expanded playback speed options above 2x, with 4x as the latest addition.
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TV Viewing Upgrade: Easier navigation, playback, quality tweaks, plus streamlined access to comments, channel info, and subscribing are heading to YouTube TV screens this summer.
Hidden Gems and Easter Eggs
YouTube also unveiled several hidden features and fun surprises for users::
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Song Search: A feature that allows users to hum or sing to identify a song and add it to their playlist. Available on both the YouTube and YouTube Music apps on Android devices.
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“Like and Subscribe” Easter Egg: Typing ‘bday’ anywhere on the watch page reveals a quick blast from the past, celebrating YouTube’s journey.
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Birthday-Themed Zen Channel: YouTube TV members can enjoy a 48-hour birthday-themed zen channel, perfect for relaxation.
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Playables Welcome Screen: Users will be greeted with a celebratory welcome screen, setting the mood before trying their hand at games like Angry Birds or 8 Ball Pool.
Special Gifts for Creators
To further celebrate, YouTube introduced birthday-themed gifts for creators:
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Birthday Gifts: Available for this week only, these gifts allow users to treat their favorite creators to a slice of cake or a party hat during livestreams, adding a festive touch to interactions.
