Is Youtube Considered Social Media? A Complete Breakdown

Does this question ever arise in your mind? Is youtube a social media? We have all seen dog clips,makeup tutorials or latest tv series on Youtube. Just give a pause, youtube is more than just a platform for passive video viewing. It boasts features which blur the lines with social media, like commenting,liking and subscribing to channels.

Let's dive into the trending question: does youtube really want its spot in the bustling world of social media? There is no clear cut answer.

What Is Social Media, Anyway?

Before we start a conversation, is Youtube a social media or not? We have a question for you: Do you know What social media is? Basically Social media platforms are websites or apps which are made to help people to create and share content they have made themselves. It allows users to build bonds with one another,share their ideas,photos,videos and of course indulge in some funny memes.

Facebook,Instagram,Twitter and TikTok are platfrom which really help to build interaction among users. For example, if you like someone's post obviously you can share that post to your feed. It is all about making connections and creating a sense of community.

So, now tell us, youtube is a social media platform?

YouTube’s Social Side: Community, Comments, and Conversations

Let's get clear- Youtube is not a platform where you just watch videos in silence. It's a social community where you can make relationships with others. Have you forgotten those moments when you have watched a video and just had to share a funny comment in the section below. It is a social side of Youtube coming to life!

Comments: Just like another platform, Youtube allows users the chance to comment on videos. This is a great opportunity to create a relationship between video creator and audience. People can share their perception,thoughts and share their opinion on this platform. And they also request creators to make videos on specific topics.

Subscriptions: Subscription button is one of the cool features in social media. Whenever you press the subscription button you start a relationship with the video creator. Whenever a youtuber uploads a video on youtube,you will get a notification on your device. The Youtube notification system allows you to build connections with the creator. It is almost like how you keep relations between favorite influencers on instagram or Twitter.

Likes and Shares: Hey, Let's talk about the like and share button on facebook. It is not very important to the experience as they are on platforms like Facebook or Twitter, it gives users a way to share their opinion and share content with their own community. It's almost similar to social media,doesn’t it?

Playlists and Recommendations: Social media's algorithm and youtube's algorithm are the same. Suppose you have seen a video related to football. The Youtube algorithm shows you other videos which are also related to football. It feels like YouTube knows you better than your best friend.

But Wait… Is It REALLY Social Media?

Though Youtube and social media have lots in common. But it has some differences too.

YouTube stands out from platforms like Facebook or Instagram as it's all about videos. You can not share status updates,photos or daily activities on Youtube or you can not "check in" with friends or share what you are having for dinner.

You can not message directly to your friend the way you did in Facebook. Obviously you can leave a comment in the youtube videos. After that you are waiting for reply in the comment section in a public space. Surely it is a different vibe if you compare it with social media platforms.

Suppose you are a youtuber and you have a youtube channel. Now you will have to select a particular niche. Now you will have to do some research. After that you will have to write a script. Now it is time to take a video. Now you will have to hire a video editor. And if you are skilled in video editing you can edit by yourself. After that you will have to upload a video on youtube. On the other hand you can instantly start your videos on social media. This delay in feedback makes YouTube seem less like a lively chat and more like a traditional TV network.

A Bit of Social Media DNA

If you talk about the typical social media platform, youtube is not like that. But you find some similar characteristics on youtube. Like,Comment section,videos and sharing options these are the similar option. you can find these option on social media as well as Youtube. When it comes to quickly interacting with your friends you can do it on platforms like facebook and Instagram. But this option is not available on Youtube.

But one thing makes youtube truely amazing which is it allows you to share freedom to connect with your own speed. You can jump into content, make connections with creators and share videos.

YouTube as a Tool for Social Interaction

Youtube is famous for video sharing but it has some cool social media features which open up exciting possibilities for not only creators but also views. For example many youtube creators use YouTube as a springboard so that they can enhance their fan base and make a buzz on social media. Youtubers are promoting their videos on platforms like Twitter or Instagram to get more subscribers and more followers.

Best Times to Post YouTube Videos: Boost Your Reach

Now that we've delved into the social side of YouTube, now it is time to shift your gears and make a proper plan- because we will have to face it,Youtube is a key player of the social media game plan. If you are willing to boost your views and reach more people, posting on perfect time is important.

If you want to know what is the best time to upload your videos on youtube. You will have to consider some points. These are- your audience location,age and lifestyle. Research found that evenings during the weekdays, especially between 5 PM and 7 PM are the best time to upload youtube videos. And don't look for weekends; Saturday morning can also be an perfect time to upload videos.

Fun Feature: How to Add Family to YouTube Premium

Alright,let's jump into something personal. If you have a YouTube premium account, you might be asking yourself: How can I add family members to my YouTube premium plan? No need to worry, it's actually a very easy process:

Open the YouTube app or go to the website.
Head over to your account settings and find "Paid Memberships."
Select the option to share your membership.
Add up to five family members (age 13 or older) by entering their email addresses.

Boom! Now we can all kickout and enjoy an ad-free experience together!

Final Verdict: Is YouTube Social Media?

YouTube might not be similar to social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram.It has a lot of social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. If you talk about the user interaction,sharing and making communication, youtube is an amazing platform for watching and engaging with videos.

Youtube is a video platform but it is also a platform where people do so. If you talk about the social media platform youtube is not like that. it definitely fosters social behavior—just with a whole lot more videos thrown into the mix.
So, What do you think? Do you think Youtube is a social media platform or it is just a video streaming platform which has some social features? We are looking to hear your thoughts in the comment section.