It grew because it was the only platform that did it.
If you want views, you have to go where the viewers are. Current alternatives are sorely lacking.
If you want the smaller platforms to grow, you do need to post there, but ignoring the existing giant won't get you seen unfortunately. At the very least, you should do both.
Sure. You could upload it to peer-tube, and have it be seen by a whole 11 people!
There was a time Youtube videos would only be seen by 11 people. But it grew because people posted videos anyway.
It grew because it was the only platform that did it.
If you want views, you have to go where the viewers are. Current alternatives are sorely lacking.
If you want the smaller platforms to grow, you do need to post there, but ignoring the existing giant won't get you seen unfortunately. At the very least, you should do both.
YouTube was not the only platform back then but I agree it dwarfs what is around now
there were very very very few platforms where you could post and share streaming video online when YouTube was new.
it was certainly the only free option. the internet was quite young then if you don't remember.
other platforms rose up around their success, but I'm pretty sure YouTube was more or less unique when it started.
I was going to say vimeo but checked the dates to make sure I remembered right - looks like it was up even before youtube 2004 vs 2005.
oh wow, i thought for sure it came later. i should stop making snap comments when m waking up.
Wasn't dailymotion and liveleak around before YouTube? And it took YouTube some time before it became the mammoth it is now