YouTube is a website that has come to be known as a destination for watching and uploading videos. With over 2 billion monthly active users, it is the largest video-sharing platform globally. However, the question arises whether YouTube should be considered as a social media platform.

To begin with, social media is defined as a website or application where people can share their content, pictures, and videos with one another, connect with other people, and communicate with each other. YouTube, at its core, fits the definition of social media to a tee. The site allows users to subscribe, like, and comment on videos, thus starting a conversation, sharing their opinions with fellow users or the creator, thus making it an interactive platform.

Furthermore, YouTube has evolved as a platform for influencer marketing, where content creators build large viewership, collaborates with other people, and partners with brands for product integration, giving birth to a new age of digital marketing. Additionally, the site’s algorithm works to recommend videos based on user interest, creating a personalized experience for each user, which is essential to building community and increasing its reach.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram rely on user-generated content and conversations to ensure engagement, with YouTube, remaining unique, allowing users to create long-form content, resulting in the creation of professional-grade videos, creating a space for a niche user group to thrive on the site.