YouTube marks 20 years as users shape platform’s evolution

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- YouTube is celebrating two decades since the first video was uploaded: a 19-second clip filmed at the zoo by one of its co-founders. Sarah Armstrong, a YouTube trends expert, joined us Monday, May 12 to reflect on the platform’s history and growth.

Armstrong highlighted early viral content such as "Charlie Bit My Finger," "David After Dentist" and "Gangnam Style," which was the first video to reach 1 billion views. She noted that Adele’s "Hello" reached that same milestone in just 88 days.

Today, the platform features cinematic-level content and top-performing shows like "Hot Ones" and "Club Shay Shay." Armstrong also pointed out that users can set sleep timers, adjust playback speed or even identify songs by humming, calling these features “just good to know."