YouTube Shorts, the 60-second video format that debuted globally in India in 2020, has now exceeded 1 trillion views, as announced by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. This milestone underscores the profound influence of Indian content creators on the platform. During the YouTube Brandcast 2024 event, Mohan highlighted how YouTube has empowered people to share their stories, with Indian creators leading global cultural trends. He remarked that YouTube is the top platform in India for reach and watch time, with Shorts achieving this impressive view count since its introduction in the country.
Moreover, YouTube has become the dominant streaming service on Connected TVs (cTV) in India, with viewership increasing fourfold over the past three years. Mohan praised the innovative approaches of Indian creators, noting their significant contributions to transforming entertainment, news, and education. To adapt to changing advertising demands, YouTube has rolled out new ad formats for cTV and Shorts, such as interactive stickers, animated image ads, Pause Ads, and Branded QR codes. These updates are designed to help brands harness the cultural impact and interactive potential of Shorts and cTV. Shekar Khosla, Vice President of Marketing at Google India, emphasized that YouTube is vital for connection, entertainment, and inspiration in India. He reiterated the company’s commitment to enhancing the Connected TV experience with new ad formats that effectively engage audiences across all screens.
