Updated October 2026: refreshed with Shorts, YouTube Premium and current creator monetisation.
YouTube is a free video platform founded in 2005 and bought by Google in 2006. Anyone can watch, upload and share videos, from music and tutorials to podcasts, gaming and news. It is the world’s largest video platform and one of the most visited websites.
How YouTube works
- Videos: long-form uploads on any topic, watchable on phones, computers and TVs.
- Shorts: vertical videos under a few minutes, shown in a swipeable feed.
- Channels and subscriptions: subscribe to channels to see their new uploads.
- Live: real-time streams with live chat.
- Playlists and search: organise and find videos; YouTube is often called the second largest search engine.
- Recommendations: the home feed suggests videos based on what you watch.
YouTube Premium and YouTube Music
YouTube Premium removes ads, allows background play, and lets you download videos for offline viewing in the app. It includes YouTube Music Premium. This is the official way to download YouTube videos; see how to download YouTube videos.
How creators earn money
Creators who meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements can earn a share of ad revenue and Premium revenue, plus channel memberships, Super Chat during streams, and shopping features. Many also earn through sponsorships.
YouTube Studio
Creators manage uploads, analytics, comments and earnings in YouTube Studio, and can download the original files of their own videos there.
FAQs
Who owns YouTube?
Google, which bought YouTube in 2006. Google is part of Alphabet.
Is YouTube free?
Yes, with ads. YouTube Premium is a paid subscription that removes ads and adds offline downloads and background play.
What are YouTube Shorts?
Short vertical videos shown in a swipeable feed, similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels.
How do YouTubers make money?
Through ad and Premium revenue in the Partner Program, memberships, Super Chat, shopping features and sponsorships.
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