Latest news with #BabySharkDance

Bans, partner programmes, baby sharks: A look at YouTube by the numbers

Hindustan Times

20-06-2025

Entertainment
Hindustan Times

Bans, partner programmes, baby sharks: A look at YouTube by the numbers

19.4 to 20 billion That's how many videos have been uploaded to the platform over the past 20 years. Precise data is hard to come by, since YouTube only released its first such estimate in April. It tends to be cagey about numbers, and won't allow outside agencies to audit its algorithms to study, for instance, why some videos are promoted over others. 19.4 billion public videos is the estimate by researchers at the Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure (IDPI) of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who created a software program in 2023 to scrape through the platform and arrive at an estimate. 'While at first glance it looks like YouTube is finally sharing some numbers, the flexibility of its language — for instance, does it include private or deleted videos too? — underscores the need for independent research,' says Ryan McGrady, a senior researcher at IDPI. 94% of the site's traffic is driven by videos with 10,000 or more views, according to the IDPI study. These videos make up less than 4% of total uploads. 4% About 4% of videos have no views at all; 74% of videos have no comments; about 32% have no likes, according to the IDPI study. 2.53 billion people use YouTube per month, according to data from Statista for 2025. 491 million people use the platform in India, making it the largest YouTube audience in the world. >3 million creators are part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), launched in 2007 to help people monetise their content (via revenue-sharing from advertisements, fan-funding features and product placement). 1,000 subscribers To be eligible for YPP, a channel must have at least 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 public watch hours in the previous 12 months (with a separate set of parameters in play for YouTube Shorts). 15 billion That's how many times Baby Shark Dance, that absurdly annoying and persistent earworm by the South Korean edutainment company Pinkfong, has been viewed since it was uploaded in 2016. Pinkfong's version (the origins of the song are unclear) was sung by the 10-year-old Korean-American Hope Segoine. 5 billion That's how many times South Korean rapper Psy's Gangnam Style has been viewed, since it was released in 2012. It was the first video to hit one billion views on YouTube. '...what was so special about that one song? I still don't know, to this day,' Psy told The New York Times, in 2022. 405 million With over 405 million subscribers, MrBeast aka Jimmy Donaldson is the world's wealthiest YouTuber. At 27, he is worth an estimated $1 billion and is the world's only known self-made billionaire under 30. He started out at 13, with videos about gaming hacks and gaming fails. More recently, he has had millions of views for videos in which he conducts what is now called stunt philanthropy (Tipping the Pizza Delivery Guy $10,000; Buying a Homeless Guy A Home). He has also segued into food and fundraising. Donaldson owns MrBeast Burgers and the chocolate and snack brand Feastables. He is co-founder of Team Trees, launched in 2019, with a target of planting 20 million trees, via donations; it has raised $24 million so far. In 2021, he also co-founded Team Seas, aimed at ocean conservancy and clean-up operations; it has raised over $30 million. 10 million dislikes The dubious record of YouTube video with the most dislikes goes… to YouTube. The platform's Rewind 2018: Everyone Controls Rewind, a recap of its biggest cultural trends in 2018 — featuring clips posted by Will Smith, Trevor Noah, Bhuvan Bam and others — was accused of being self-serving, gimmicky and forced (among other things). 2.9 million channels containing more than 47 million videos were taken down between January and March this year, for violating guidelines, YouTube has said. Three strikes on YouTube results in automatic termination. The most common violations include spam videos, 'misleading' content, scams and nudity. 2.1 million India topped the list of countries with most videos taken down: 2.1 million, between January and March alone. Brazil (1.3 million) and the US (889,816) make up the top 3. There has been criticism of how loosely 'misleading' is defined by YouTube, and how differently it is enforced in different countries. There has likewise been criticism of how bans on people and changes in regulations are issued, enforced and repealed in arbitrary ways. US President Donald Trump, for instance, was banned from posting on YouTube after the Capitol riots of 2021, but his channel was reinstated in 2023. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was also banned, in 2018, but resurfaced in a controversial interview with YouTuber Logan Paul the following year. Content moderators, meanwhile, have now been told that up to half of a video may contain offending content, up from the previous cap of 25%, The New York Times reported on June 9. The policy shift, though not publicly declared, was introduced in training material for the army of content moderators that, alongside AI-led algorithms, work to weed out material deemed unfit by the platform.

10 Intriguing World Records According to AI

Time Magazine

07-06-2025

General
Time Magazine

10 Intriguing World Records According to AI

This article is published by a partner of TIME. World records capture the extraordinary, showcasing the limits of human ability, natural phenomena, and technological innovation. They inspire awe, curiosity, and even a sense of possibility, reminding us that the boundaries of achievement are constantly being pushed. Whether it's the fastest, tallest, largest, or most unique, world records are a testament to human ambition and ingenuity. Throughout history, people have strived to break barriers, often devoting their lives to setting records that seem impossible. From physical feats of strength and endurance to scientific and technological milestones, these achievements symbolize the pinnacle of human effort and the extraordinary aspects of the world around us. They also serve as snapshots of history, reflecting our collective fascination with the exceptional. This article celebrates 10 intriguing world records, using research assistance from ChatGPT, chosen for their significance, impact, and inspiration. Each record represents an impressive achievement that exceeds ordinary expectations and has captured the imagination of people worldwide. 1. Tallest Man in Recorded History: Robert Wadlow Robert Wadlow, known as the "Alton Giant," holds the record for the tallest man in recorded history, standing at an incredible 8 feet 11 inches (272 cm). His height was due to a condition called hyperplasia of the pituitary gland, which caused excessive growth due to hormone production. Born: February 22, 1918, in Alton, Illinois Condition: Hyperplasia of the pituitary gland Life Span: Lived to the age of 22, passing away in 1940 Impact: Symbol of resilience and acceptance of physical differences Legacy: Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the tallest person in history 2. Fastest 100-Meter Sprint: Usain Bolt Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, born in 1986, set the world record for the 100-meter dash at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, clocking an astonishing time of 9.58 seconds. Known as the "Lightning Bolt," his record remains unbeaten. Date Set: August 16, 2009 Location: Berlin, Germany Notable Achievements: 8-time Olympic gold medalist Legacy: Regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time Impact: Inspired a new generation of athletes worldwide 3. Deepest Ocean Dive: Challenger Deep The Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the deepest point on Earth, reaching a depth of approximately 36,070 feet (10,994 meters). Victor Vescovo holds the record for the deepest solo dive, achieved in 2019 using a specially designed submersible. 4. Most Viewed YouTube Video: "Baby Shark Dance" The 'Baby Shark Dance' holds the record as the most-viewed video on YouTube, with over 15.1 billion views (and counting). Its catchy tune and playful animation captured the attention of children and adults worldwide. 5. Tallest Structure Ever Built: Burj Khalifa The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest man-made structure in the world, a skyscraper standing at 2,717 feet (828 meters). This architectural marvel is a symbol of human ambition and engineering excellence. The second tallest structure is the Merdeka 118 skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia at 2,227 feet. 6. Longest Time Spent in Space: Valery Polyakov Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov holds the record for the longest continuous time spent in space, with a mission lasting 437 days, 17 hours, and 58 minutes (18 months) aboard the Mir space station. He died in 2022 at the age of 80 in Moscow. 7. Heaviest Weight Lifted: Paul Anderson Paul Anderson, an American weightlifter, set a world record in 1957 by lifting an astonishing 6,270 pounds (2,840 kg) in a backlift. This feat remains one of the greatest demonstrations of strength in history. Date Set: 1957 Technique: Backlift Legacy: Known as the "Strongest Man in History" Achievements: Olympic gold medalist (1956) in weightlifting Cultural Impact: Inspired strength athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide 8. Longest Marathon Running Streak: Ron Hill Ron Hill, a British long-distance runner, holds the record for the longest streak of running every single day. Hill ran at least one mile every day for 52 years and 39 days, a streak that ended in 2017. He died at the age of 82 in 2021. Minimum Distance: At least 1 mile daily Legacy: Symbol of dedication and perseverance in athletics Impact: Inspired the "run streak" movement Notable Achievements: Competed in two Olympics (1964, 1972) Significance: A testament to human endurance and consistency 9. Largest Animal on Earth: The Blue Whale The blue whale is the largest animal ever recorded, with some individuals reaching lengths of over 100 feet (30 meters) and weighing up to 200 tons. This majestic marine mammal symbolizes the grandeur of Earth's biodiversity. Weight: Up to 200 tons Diet: Primarily krill, consuming up to 4 tons daily Habitat: Found in oceans worldwide, preferring colder waters Conservation Status: Endangered due to hunting and habitat loss, only 10-25 thousand exist currently worldwide. Significance: A reminder of the importance of marine conservation 10. Fastest Land Animal: The Cheetah The cheetah holds the title of the fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds up to 70 mph (113 km/h) in short bursts while chasing prey. Top Speed: Up to 70 mph (113 km/h) Acceleration: Can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3 seconds Habitat: Grasslands and savannas in sub-Saharan Africa Diet: Carnivorous, primarily hunting gazelles and smaller mammals Conservation Status: Vulnerable, with population declines due to habitat loss; only 7100 Cheetahs are estimated to be left in the world. Legacy: A symbol of speed and agility in the animal kingdom Conclusion on World Records World records remind us of the extraordinary possibilities within nature, human achievement, and technological innovation. From the towering heights of the Burj Khalifa to the deepest ocean dive, these records captivate our imagination and challenge us to push the boundaries of what we believe is possible. These 10 records are more than mere statistics; they are stories of ambition, perseverance, and wonder. As we continue to explore the limits of our world and ourselves, new records will emerge, ensuring that the spirit of achievement endures for generations to come. Related Articles: About the Authors: Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn. Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies. Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.

Spectator

21-05-2025

Entertainment
Spectator

Spectator Competition: Tubular belles

Competition 3400 invited you to write poems to mark YouTube's 20th birthday. This challenge drew a large, accomplished entry which was both amusing and informative. Alex Steelsmith's double dactylic submission was a strong contender for a place in the winning line-up, as were Bill Greenwell, Mike Morrison, Frank McDonald, David Silverman, Elizabeth Kay and Janine Beacham. But the John Lewis vouchers are awarded to those poems printed below. I am the very model of a modern-day YouTuberist, The cornucopia of its gifts creates for me a catalyst, Since first I saw 'Me at the Zoo' my mood's been irrepressible And now in all my waking hours I beam up what's accessible: The medieval manuscripts and cheerful facts historical, Like who beheaded what's-his-name, for YouTube is my oracle. And Baby Shark Dance floats my boat, though hardly educational, While Fenton! Fenton chasing deer will always be sensational. The music choice is limitless, I fix myself a rendez-vous With Handel oratorios and then Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You'. If anything is on the blink and proving unreliable A video will show me how to make the damn thing viable. For twenty years it's been my guide, I've 'liked' and 'shared' religiously And through my online searching I have watched it grow prodigiously. I say without a doubt, and my opinion is unprejudiced, YouTube's the very model for a modern-day YouTuberist. Sylvia Fairley

Top 10 most disliked YouTube videos: This Alia Bhatt movie trailer ranks No. 4

Indian Express

21-05-2025

Entertainment
Indian Express

YouTube turns 20: From cat videos to AI

Twenty years ago this past week, YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim posted the very first YouTube video, titled "Me at the Zoo." "All right. So here we are, in front of the elephants. The cool thing about these guys is that they have really, really, really long trunks. And that's cool. … And that's pretty much all there is to say." YouTube was so new that our Charles Osgood had to define it for "Sunday Morning" viewers back in 2006: "A website that lets just about anyone post videos for the whole world to see." Today, it doesn't need explaining. YouTube is the second most-visited website on Earth, after Google, which bought YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006. Every single day, we collectively watch more than a billion hours of YouTube videos. Funny videos … how-to videos … cat videos. In these first 20 years, we've uploaded 20 billion videos to YouTube. The most-watched of all? "Baby Shark Dance," with about 16 billion views. And people aren't just watching on their phones. "People watch YouTube more than they watch any other streaming service on their big screens in their living rooms now," said David Craig, who teaches media and culture at the University of Southern California at Annenberg. Craig says that a key moment was the day YouTube started paying people for making videos. "YouTube came along and said, 'Why don't we give you some advertising revenue in exchange for the fact that you're helping us grow our service?'" he said. Today, YouTube roughly splits the ad revenue with the creator, according to Craig: "It does probably change a little bit for some of the bigger-name players out there who they obviously need to make sure are very happy with the service." Those bigger-name players include Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, creators of a daily show called "Good Mythical Morning." Thirty-four million subscribers have watched their shows 14 billion times. McLaughlin described the show's appeal: "Two old friends hanging out, where you can be the third person in that friendship. We kind of stumbled upon this secret formula for having people come back every single day." They may film in a traditional TV studio, but what is the difference between YouTube and TV? "I'd like to say our talent," Neal laughed. "A big part of it is responding to the audience," said McLaughlin. "You've got comments, right? So, there's ways that you can connect with people online." David Craig said, "Creators on YouTube, specifically, are not content creators. They are for-profit community organizers. They are using this platform to build online communities that they can build a dozen different business models off of." For McLaughlin and Neal, those business models could include tours, books, sweatshirts, hoodies, magnets and pins. "And you can start to go bigger and sell hair products," said Neal. "If we're gonna spend as much time as we both spend on our hair, we are going to monetize it!" Nobody's monetized it better than Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, whose videos of colossal giveaways and physical challenges have made him the most-followed YouTuber of all, with 380 million fans. Last year, Amazon Prime spent $100 million to produce a MrBeast game show. I asked David Craig, "Is being a YouTube star now considered a greater ambition than becoming a television star?" "I hate to tell you this, David, but that's been the case now for over 10 years," Craig replied. "They've been surveying young people, and they've all said they want to grow up to be a creator or an influencer more than a celebrity – or, I'm sorry to say, a journalist." From the archives: The early days of YouTube Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal don't think that the advertising industry has quite caught up with YouTube's dominance. "If you look at the 18-to-34 age group, we outperform all of the other late-night shows combined," said Neal. "But if you look at revenue that's being spent on those shows versus our show, it's not quite there yet." "And honestly, this is one of the reasons that we have really been interested in winning an Emmy," McLaughlin added. "You know, we're a part of the cultural conversation, as much as many shows that have won Emmys." Over the last two decades, YouTube has had its controversies, from collecting personal information about kids, to claims that the site is fueling a mental health crisis. YouTube's detractors also worry about the algorithm. It studies which videos seem to grab your attention, and feeds you more videos like them. YouTube has been accused of letting the algorithm lead people to extreme viewpoints. "We have this enormous diversity of opinions on our platform," said YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. "We don't allow adult content. We obviously don't allow spam and fraud. And we have policies to protect young people and kids on the platform. But it's fundamentally a platform for freedom of speech. " So, with YouTube's 20th anniversary upon us, what are the next few years going to be like? According to Mohan, "One of the areas that I'm very excited about is artificial intelligence. You can tell YouTube when you're creating a video, 'Put us in Central Park, and change the background, and have these types of birds because it's a spring day.' And that magical technology exists today." I asked, "Is there something about evolution or psychology that makes us so interested in watching other people?" "I think it goes back to we, as human beings, are social beings," said Mohan. "We connect with other people. We are storytellers. That is what happens billions of times a day on YouTube. And it's back to our mission: give everyone a voice and show them the world." "It's a double rainbow all the way!" For more info: Story produced by David Rothman. Editor: Jason Schmidt. See also:

Latest news with #BabySharkDance

Bans, partner programmes, baby sharks: A look at YouTube by the numbers

10 Intriguing World Records According to AI

Spectator Competition: Tubular belles

Top 10 most disliked YouTube videos: This Alia Bhatt movie trailer ranks No. 4

YouTube turns 20: From cat videos to AI

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