Is YouTube Social Media? Here’s the Truth You Need to Know

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is YouTube social media?”, you’re not alone.

Maybe you were scrolling through cat videos, watching makeup tutorials, or catching up on the latest tech reviews—and suddenly it hit you: “Wait, this feels like more than just a video site. Is this really a social media platform?”

Well, let’s settle this once and for all.

📌 The Short Answer: Yes, YouTube is Social Media

To put it simply, YouTube is social media—but with a twist. Unlike platforms like Facebook or Instagram that focus on text or images, YouTube revolves around video content. But just like other platforms, it allows users to:

Create and share content
Build a community
Comment and interact
Follow and subscribe to creators

That’s the textbook definition of a social media platform.

But to understand this better, let’s break it down.

🤔 What Exactly is Social Media?

According to Merriam-Webster, social media is:

“Forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.”

By this definition, YouTube checks every box.

✅ User-generated content
✅ Sharing and interaction
✅ Building communities

So yes, YouTube qualifies as social media. But it’s also more than that.

💡 A Little Backstory: How YouTube Evolved Into a Social Giant

Let’s rewind to 2005.

Three former PayPal employees created YouTube to make video sharing easier. The first-ever video uploaded? It was “Me at the zoo”, a simple 18-second clip that changed the internet forever.

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At first, YouTube was just about uploading and watching videos. But over time, features like likes, comments, sharing, subscriptions, and live chats turned it into a full-blown social network.

Fast forward to today, YouTube has:

Over 2.7 billion monthly users
A robust creator ecosystem
Powerful community features

That’s not just a video library. That’s a thriving social media platform.

🎥 YouTube’s Core Social Features (You Might’ve Missed Some!)

User Profiles & Subscriptions
You can create a channel, upload videos, and gain followers. Just like Instagram, but video-first.
Likes, Comments, and Shares
Viewers can engage in real-time with your content. This sparks conversation and builds community.
Live Streaming & Live Chat
Real-time interaction through YouTube Live allows creators to talk directly with their audience.
YouTube Shorts
Think of Shorts as YouTube’s answer to TikTok. Short, snappy videos with viral potential.
Community Tab
This underused feature lets creators share text updates, polls, and images—like Facebook posts but on YouTube!

So yes, YouTube is social media—with its own unique spin.

🙋‍♂️ Real Talk: Why This Matters to You

Let me tell you a quick story.

A friend of mine, Sarah, started a tiny baking channel on YouTube during the pandemic. At first, she had just 17 subscribers—mostly friends and family. But she posted weekly, interacted with her viewers, replied to comments, and even asked what recipes they wanted next.

Now? She’s at over 50,000 subscribers, does brand collaborations, and even sells her own eBooks and baking kits.

That’s the power of YouTube as a social media platform. It’s not just where you post content—it’s where you build community, earn trust, and eventually grow your brand or business.

📈 Step-by-Step: How to Use YouTube as a Social Media Tool

Create a Google Account
You’ll need one to start a channel.
Set Up Your YouTube Channel
Add a catchy name, profile image, and banner. Use keywords like “baking tutorials”, “fitness routines”, or “digital marketing tips”.

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Your Name

Phone*

Email*

Website URL*

Message
Plan Your Content Strategy
Think: who are you trying to reach? Use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to find trending topics.
Post Regularly & Interact
Engagement is key. Reply to comments, run polls, ask questions in your videos.
Promote Across Platforms
Share your YouTube content on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or your email list.
Use SEO-Friendly Titles & Descriptions
Include relevant keywords like “how-to videos”, “vlogging tips”, or “influencer marketing”.
Analyze & Improve
Use YouTube Analytics to track what works and what doesn’t.

🔍 SEO Tip: Keywords That Matter

To make sure your content is discovered, use semantically relevant terms like:

Video content platform
YouTube marketing
Online video community
Social video network
YouTube creators
Engagement on YouTube

Use these in your titles, tags, and descriptions to boost visibility.

🎯 Why Businesses Should Care: Marketing on YouTube

If you’re running a business, YouTube is a goldmine. With the right strategy, you can:

Reach millions of viewers
Build brand loyalty
Educate your audience
Drive traffic to your website
Sell products or services

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Your Name

Phone*

Email*

Website URL*

Message

And the best part? It’s completely free to start.

But, like anything in digital marketing, strategy matters.

💼 Pro Tip: Let the Experts Handle It

If you’re serious about growing your brand on YouTube, or just need help understanding your digital footprint, partner with a team that gets results.

👉 Marketinor PTY Ltd is one of Australia’s trusted digital marketing agencies. They specialize in YouTube marketing, content creation, SEO, and audience building.

Their team can: