YouTube’s first video at twenty: Guess YouTube’s value if it were a solo giant now

Can you believe it? YouTube is officially 20 years old this year. It feels like just yesterday we were watching grainy videos on dial-up internet.

But here’s the kicker: If YouTube were its own company, not part of Google (Alphabet), analysts think it could be worth a staggering $475 billion to $550 billion. Wow!

Where Would That Rank YouTube?

Think about that for a second. That kind of valuation would put YouTube among the biggest companies on the planet. We’re talking around the number 16 spot, right between Visa and Mastercard.

For some context, even JPMorgan Chase, the biggest bank in the U. S. , would be just a bit ahead.

Remember “Me at the Zoo”?

It all started with a simple 19-second video. Jawed Karim, one of the co-founders, filmed himself at the San Diego Zoo. He talked about the elephants’ “cool” trunks. That’s it!

That little clip launched a revolution. Google saw the potential and snapped up YouTube for $1. 65 billion in 2006. Not bad for a zoo trip, right?

YouTube’s Massive Reach Today

That first video now has over 355 million views. Insane. And YouTube itself? It’s the second most visited website in the world, only behind Google. Talk about dominance.

Will Google Have to Let Go?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Google’s been called a “monopolist” *twice* recently. The government is even asking them to sell off parts of the company, maybe even Chrome or. .. YouTube.

Could YouTube become a solo act after all? A judge will decide by August. Stay tuned.