[tjoff]

First hit on google says: $31.5 billion in ad revenue in 2023.

That figure does not include 100 million subscribers (2024).

I am outside my comfort zone but I would bet youtube would thrive without google if those numbers are correct. And it is for sure large enough to not need google for bulk deals etc.

[sofixa]

I'm not sure you're appreciating the massive scale of YouTube. Billions of videos (from music videos to a random person's 10 hour hiking video nobody cares about), stored all around the world, and ready to be delivered quickly to anyone. Oh and apps for any platform imaginable. This is not cheap.

[tjoff]

About 3.9 billion videos (of which almost 1 billion shorts) results in more than $9 in revenue for each video ever uploaded, in 2023 alone.

You get a lot for a billion dollars.

[meiraleal]

yeah not cheap. Like 10bi/year? Still 20bi profit.