YouTube is a video sharing platform that allows users to post long- and short-form video content. It’s fully integrated with Google, making it a key destination for more than 1 billion users on the internet.
YouTube Guidelines
YouTube overview
Strengths
- Serves as the preferred video sharing platform on the web
- Provides the second-largest online search engine (Google No. 1)
- Expanded time allotment allows for long-form videos to be posted
- Enjoys better search results on Google
- Is fully compatible across Google platforms and embeds players within Facebook and Twitter posts
Challenges
- Makes it too easy to violate copyright law
- Requires video equipment and editing knowledge
- Provides no formula for making videos go viral
Audience
According to YouTube, the platform:
- Is the third-most visited internet website
- Has more than 1 billion users
- Reaches more 18-34 and 18-49 year-olds than any U.S. cable network
- Hosts more than 6 billion hours of watched video per month
- More than half of views that come from mobile devices
Discover more about YouTube demographics
Checklist
- Keep your videos short (2 minutes or less)
- Keep your videos engaging and entertaining
- Inspire by thinking content first -- not advertising
- Deliver key messages early to counteract natural short attention spans
- Include calls to action
- Add strong titles and descriptions to your videos