Where are people watching videos on YouTube? A little while ago, the majority were on desktop, but now the company says that half are tuning in from mobile devices like phones and tablets. On stage at the Code Mobile conference, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said that metric's grown alongside the popularity of its app on places like Apple's App Store, where it ranked among the top apps last year.
One thing Wojcicki did not want to talk about though was how the company didn't manage to strike a deal with Twitch, which was snapped up by Amazon instead. "I think YouTube has been lucky because we have a lot of people who come and watch games. Kids — I've experienced this at home — show how engaging and interesting this can be, but I don't know if I can really say more," Wojcicki said, adding that the company was "continuing to invest in the gaming area."
Wojcicki was equally mysterious about the company's long-rumored music project, which was reportedly set to be unveiled at some point this month, but that is apparently still in the works. "We're working on it," Wojcicki said. "We've been working on it, and I think there's a lo of opportunity. It's amazing."
Wojcicki took over as YouTube's CEO back in February, after running the company's advertising business. She was employee No. 16 at the company, even housing it in her garage back before the company had its sprawling headquarters in Mountain View. She's also the sister of Anne Wojcicki, the CEO of 23AndMe, and who is married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin (though the two are separated).
Comments
I wonder how many are on TVs. Basically all my TV watching has been replaced by YouTube on a console.
By tomflack on 10.28.14 2:38am
But Google (YouTube) would not say which phones and tablets are overwhelmingly leading platforms for that. :)
By DERSS on 10.28.14 4:44am
Obviously its android smartphones , 85% marketshare is your proof.
By GetBacker on 10.28.14 6:57am
You missed the hint; by far majority of those 85% are never used in the role of smartphones. This is why Google’s mobile advertisement revenue overwhelmingly comes from iPhones/iPads/iPod touches, this is why web statistics for iOS is so huge.
By DERSS on 10.28.14 6:08pm
Source
By GetBacker on 10.29.14 12:43am
single Bing search would answer that question (unless you were banned there)
By DERSS on 10.29.14 6:33am
Hahahahaha Bing, what a joke , I got it you hate google.
By GetBacker on 10.29.14 8:53am
I’m surprised it’s not higher.
By Rugby209 on 10.28.14 8:30am
Its definitely an average. I regularly see upwards of 70% on some of the channels I manage. Nothing under 45% these days.
By Carlos Pacheco on 10.28.14 8:35am
Interesting. For me it’s 6.3% mobile, 3.6% tablet, and 89% desktop on one channel, and 24% mobile, 7.9% tablet, and 66% computer on the other.
By challengeaccepted on 10.28.14 10:20am
I’d believe it. I basically watch youtube on my tablet and phones. Which always makes me wonder why they haven’t really improved the app in ages. It really really sucks still
By Zoglog on 10.28.14 2:27pm
Of course if I’m ever using YouTube on my phone or tablet it’s just to Chromecast it onto my TV, though mostly I just boot up the Xbox and play through my Watch Later list. That is basically 100% of my YouTube watching as I’ll just toss stuff there while at work and then watch on my TV later.
By bofis on 10.28.14 3:37pm
Is it true that youtubers don’t get paid for views on mobile still? If so, youtube will eventually not give enough profit to youtubers to keep them going.
By Rolf on 10.28.14 3:43pm
Not true.
By si97 on 10.29.14 10:52am
Next time I see someone complaining about a video shot in portrait mode, I’m sending them this article.
By steinah on 10.28.14 4:31pm