Tag Archives: YouTube Creators

Helping viewers discover and buy products from Indian retailers through video: YouTube to acquire simsim

As more and more shopping happens online, video has an important role in helping viewers discover new products and find expert advice they trust. Every day, people come to YouTube to compare products, watch reviews and find recommendations from their favorite creators. Today, we are taking another step to help viewers discover and buy products from local businesses: we have signed a definitive agreement to acquire simsim and expect to complete the transaction in the coming weeks.

simsim is helping small businesses in India transition to e-commerce by using the power of video and creators. The simsim app serves as a platform to connect local businesses, influencers and customers. Here’s how it works: creators post video reviews about products from local businesses, and viewers can buy those products directly through the app. Videos are available in three local languages including Hindi, Tamil and Bengali, enabling retailers of all sizes to reach buyers through video in their preferred language.

For over 15 years, small businesses have used YouTube to expand their presence online -- and many of them use YouTube to reach customers outside of their local community, from Interior Designers to Silk Sarees sellers. By bringing simsim and YouTube together, our goal is to help small businesses and retailers in India reach new customers in even more powerful ways. There will be no immediate changes to simsim, the app will continue operating independently while we work on ways to showcase simsim offers to YouTube viewers.  

Today’s announcement builds on our ongoing investments in India, such as the India Digitization Fund. As we work with our partners to expand access to the Internet, we know online video will continue to grow as the primary way to find information, entertainment and connections in India. With over 2500 YouTube creators with over one million subscribers, and the success of YouTube Shorts, which we launched in India first, we’re committed to bringing the best of YouTube to India and growing the creator community by making it even easier for the new generation of mobile-first creators to get started.

In a joint statement, simsim cofounders, Amit Bagaria, Kunal Suri and Saurabh Vashishtha said, “We started simsim with the mission of helping users across India shop online with ease, enabled through small sellers and brands showcasing and selling their products using the power of content by trusted influencers. Being a part of the YouTube and Google ecosystem furthers simsim in its mission. We cannot think of a better ecosystem in which to build simsim, in terms of technology, reach, creator networks and culture. We can’t wait to be part of YouTube and are excited to build simsim within the most admired tech company in the world.”

We’re inspired by the opportunity in India and look forward to working with the simsim team to build the future of online video commerce in India.

Posted by Gautam Anand, VP, YouTube APAC

Helping viewers discover and buy products from Indian retailers through video: YouTube to acquire simsim

As more and more shopping happens online, video has an important role in helping viewers discover new products and find expert advice they trust. Every day, people come to YouTube to compare products, watch reviews and find recommendations from their favorite creators. Today, we are taking another step to help viewers discover and buy products from local businesses: we have signed a definitive agreement to acquire simsim and expect to complete the transaction in the coming weeks.

simsim is helping small businesses in India transition to e-commerce by using the power of video and creators. The simsim app serves as a platform to connect local businesses, influencers and customers. Here’s how it works: creators post video reviews about products from local businesses, and viewers can buy those products directly through the app. Videos are available in three local languages including Hindi, Tamil and Bengali, enabling retailers of all sizes to reach buyers through video in their preferred language.

For over 15 years, small businesses have used YouTube to expand their presence online -- and many of them use YouTube to reach customers outside of their local community, from Interior Designers to Silk Sarees sellers. By bringing simsim and YouTube together, our goal is to help small businesses and retailers in India reach new customers in even more powerful ways. There will be no immediate changes to simsim, the app will continue operating independently while we work on ways to showcase simsim offers to YouTube viewers.  

Today’s announcement builds on our ongoing investments in India, such as the India Digitization Fund. As we work with our partners to expand access to the Internet, we know online video will continue to grow as the primary way to find information, entertainment and connections in India. With over 2500 YouTube creators with over one million subscribers, and the success of YouTube Shorts, which we launched in India first, we’re committed to bringing the best of YouTube to India and growing the creator community by making it even easier for the new generation of mobile-first creators to get started.

In a joint statement, simsim cofounders, Amit Bagaria, Kunal Suri and Saurabh Vashishtha said, “We started simsim with the mission of helping users across India shop online with ease, enabled through small sellers and brands showcasing and selling their products using the power of content by trusted influencers. Being a part of the YouTube and Google ecosystem furthers simsim in its mission. We cannot think of a better ecosystem in which to build simsim, in terms of technology, reach, creator networks and culture. We can’t wait to be part of YouTube and are excited to build simsim within the most admired tech company in the world.”

We’re inspired by the opportunity in India and look forward to working with the simsim team to build the future of online video commerce in India.

Posted by Gautam Anand, VP, YouTube APAC

YouTubeBlack Africa Creator Week- Supporting and Celebrating African Creators

Back in June, we announced a $100 million fund to center and amplify Black voices and perspectives on YouTube, alongside a commitment to doing better as a platform to protect Black creators, artists and users. Since then, we’ve been doing a lot of work behind-the-scenes to bring these commitments to life because we believe when we center Black and other diverse voices, we reflect back the power of our global community.


As part of this commitment, we are hosting our first virtual Africa Creator Week from Monday 23 - Friday 27 November dedicated to engaging, educating and inspiring African creators on the platform. This region-wide virtual initiative is aimed at demonstrating our growing commitment to creators and artists in the region.


Highlights for the 1-week program include expert-led masterclasses with sessions on content strategy, channel optimisation, monetisation and brand partnerships for creators to learn the tips and tricks to grow their channels and be discovered by an engaged community. Creators will also hear first-hand from top creator, Mark Angel during Creator Talks, a session to spotlight one outstanding creator from the community, sharing their YouTube journey through a casual interview format. We will also host a Creator Panel featuring four creators across verticals to foster peer-driven open conversations, creator collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The Africa Creator Week will conclude with a two-hour virtual celebration event to celebrate African creators and creativity on Friday, November 27 at 5pm GMT. The event will have music performances by Fireboy, Niniola, Reekado Banks, Sauti Sol, Sho Madjozi with dance showcases from Dream Catchers, Ikorodu Bois, Triplet Ghetto Kids. Hosted by YouTube Creator, Akah Bants. The event is opened to everyone and will be live streamed on the Google Africa YouTube channel. Click here for the livestream link and set your reminders!
This week, we’re also celebrating African creators whose channels have reached new milestones. Congratulations to Beauty and style creator, Dodos, makeup and beauty creator Kay Ngonyama and Tech YouTuber Eric Okafor on attaining 100k subscribers and receiving their Silver Creator Awards. These creators and others continue to use YouTube to express themselves and give a voice to Africa’s stories.
Overall, we’ll be building some positive engagement on the vibrancy of the creator ecosystem, and our commitment to black creators in the region.




Posted by Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube



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Calling all fashion & beauty mavens for India’s first NextUp for Beauty Creators!

Whether it’s a simple makeup look, an intricate braided hairstyle, or live streams from the latest Fashion Week, YouTube has grown into an incredible repository of fashion and beauty content from across the globe. Last year, we also launched YouTube.com/Fashion a first-of-its kind, dedicated destination for fashion & beauty content on YouTube. 


With more access to information and products, beauty norms are fast-changing in India too, and YouTube creators are at the forefront of this change. They are helping democratize expression and encouraging men & women to break the set moulds of beauty, grooming and style. In our quest to identify and support the next generation of rising Beauty Creators in India on the platform, we’re proud to announce the launch of the inaugural NextUp for Beauty Creators with L'Oréal Paris. 


Having successfully contributed to the journeys of over 80 Indian creators & artists across languages, genres, and genders over the last 5 years, we return for a fifth year with YouTube NextUp in India. This edition is extra-special, as we have partnered with one of the world’s largest & most recognised beauty brands - L'Oréal Paris - bringing their years of expertise in the beauty industry directly to our rising stars on YouTube. Winners will get a chance to attend masterclasses with beauty industry specialists, gain market insights on trends, and network with brand representatives. 



Who are we looking for? 


For this special edition of NextUp, we are celebrating those who are keen about beauty, and who are passionate about creating compelling content around beauty. We are looking for aspiring creators who are ready to learn and focus on improving their production and storytelling skills, who seek mentorship from industry stalwarts, and who dream of reshaping the narrative of beauty content in India on YouTube and beyond. 


Up to 12 YouTube channels from India will be selected as winners to join the NextUp for Beauty Creators Class of 2020. If selected, you will be eligible to receive:


  • A week of intensive production classes and filming opportunities at a YouTube Pop-Up Space in India, in May 2020
  • Specialized educational workshops and skill-sharing sessions designed by production gurus, content specialists, and industry experts, tailored for beauty creators
  • INR 1,40,000 voucher towards production gear

    Want even more reasons to apply? Hear directly from our Alumni! 


    "My biggest takeaway was having the rare opportunity of having an expert scrutinize your content and give you workable tips on how to make it better! Thanks to NextUp, I know so much more." — Nidhi Mohan Kamal, NextUp Women to Watch Winner 2019
    Live the NextUp Journey


    Excited? So are we! Here’s how to apply: 

    1. Visit the NextUp website at youtube.com/nextup to check Eligibility Requirements and Contest Rules. 
    2. If you meet the criteria, go ahead and apply! We welcome entries from all over India for the contest.  

      We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Tweet at us at @YTCreatorsIndia with the hashtag #YouTubeNextUp to share your excitement for the contest. And watch this space for other special editions of NextUp in 2020. 

      Posted by Satya Raghavan, Director, YouTube Partnerships, India, & Marc Lefkowitz, Head of YouTube Creator and Artist Development, APAC

      Enter for a chance to be a part of YouTube NextUp class of 2016!

      Whether you’re a stand up comedian like Kenny Sebastian, or recording soulful covers of Bollywood songs like Shirley Setia, YouTube can help you find and broadcast your voice. We want to help creators do even more. Since its launch in 2011, NextUp has helped over 250 YouTube creators from 15 countries to turbocharge their YouTube channels. That’s why we’re so excited that NextUp is coming back to India again today.
      Up to 32 YouTube channels from India will be selected as winners of NextUp contests to join the NextUp class of 2016, and be part of a global community of NextUp creators who have benefited from the workshops and mentorship programs.
      So who’s next up? We’re looking for passionate, motivated and inspiring YouTube creators. Sharpen your production skills to tell more compelling stories and receive mentorship from production and channel development professionals, alongside other talented creators.
      If you are selected to join the NextUp class of 2016, you are eligible to receive:
      • A US$2,500 voucher for production equipment to help you make your video dreams a reality.
      • A spot at a week-long creator camp at the YouTube Space Mumbai. You’ll team up with production experts to harness new techniques in camera, lighting, and sound, and receive coaching from YouTube Partnerships team on how to grow your audience.
      • Mentorship by YouTube NextUp grads, plus the opportunity to meet and work with other fast-rising creators. Could there be a better way to set off some truly awesome collaborations?
      To enter the India YouTube NextUp contest, see full details (including the eligibility requirements and contest rules) at youtube.com/nextup. We’re excited to see what you’ll come up with next on YouTube!

      Posted by Rajant Meshram, YouTube Online Partnerships Lead


      YouTube creators meet Pope Francis to discuss promoting understanding and empathy

      YouTube has helped millions of people see that we have a lot in common, despite our differences. Building these bridges can start with a simple conversation, and over the past 11 years, we’ve seen YouTube creators use the power of video to do just that. From Hayla Ghazal encouraging women in the Middle East and around the world to speak up, to Dulce Candy sharing her own story as an undocumented immigrant and military veteran, creators from around the world have used our platform to express themselves, encourage new perspectives, and inspire solidarity within global fan bases.

      We want to continue empowering people to come to YouTube to tell stories and form connections that encourage empathy and understanding between diverse communities.

      That’s why today 11 international YouTube creators met with Pope Francis, who cares deeply about bringing young people together. This first-of-its-kind dialogue took place during the VI Scholas World Congress, which the Pope created to encourage peace through real encounters with youth from different backgrounds.

      The YouTube creators who participated in this conversation represent more than 27 million subscribers globally. They come from ten different countries and diverse religious backgrounds: Louise Pentland (United Kingdom), Lucas Castel (Argentina), Matemática Río (Brazil), Hayla Ghazal (United Arab Emirates), Dulce Candy (United States), Matthew Patrick (United States), Jamie and Nikki (Australia and Sudan/Egypt), Greta Menchi (Italy), Los Polinesios (Mexico) and anna RF (Israel).



      During the conversation with the Pope, these creators raised topics that they are passionate about as role models, including immigrant rights, gender equality, loneliness and self-esteem, and greater respect for diversity of all kinds.

      We’re inspired by the many conversations these creators have sparked throughout their YouTube journeys. To hear more about what they discussed at the Vatican today, tune in to each of their channels for personal videos in the coming weeks. We hope to continue helping people share their stories - the more we can all understand, the more we can come together as a global community.

      Juniper Downs, Head of Policy for YouTube, recently watched “I am a Muslim, hug me if you trust me.”

      Source: YouTube Blog


      Nothing but net! Dude Perfect delights Toronto fans

      Hundred of fans joined us as YouTube creators Dude Perfect visited Toronto this week. Fans and children from the MLSE Foundation participated in a day of basketball challenges with the world’s largest sports channel on YouTube, participating in dribble wars and knockout challenges with basketballs, as well as capturing lots of selfies.

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      The energetic sports fandom in Toronto mirrors what we see online everyday. YouTube has helped sports fans feel more engaged and connected with their favourite teams, leagues and athletes. Globally, the world has spent 5.7 billion minutes - or 10,000 years - watching Dude Perfect on YouTube!


      To catch up on "did you see that?!" moments, fans hop on YouTube immediately after a game’s biggest moment. For example, minutes after after Jose Bautisa’s now infamous bat flip, searches spiked on YouTube. Sports fandom today extends beyond scheduled TV broadcasts with Canadian fans turning to YouTube for deeper engagement with their favourite sports, events, and athletes with nearly two-thirds of Canadian sports fans saying that they can get a closer, more personal look at athletes or sports teams on YouTube than anywhere else.2 Case in point: take a look at Dude Perfect’s Seattle Seahawks Edition ft. Russell Wilson video to see the Super Bowl-winning quarterback like you’ve never seen him before!

      Across the board, sports fandom on YouTube continues to grow. In fact, search interest on YouTube was higher for the last Summer Olympics than for the last World Cup or each of the past six Super Bowls!1


      Today, watching live sports is an even richer experience because our devices are always within reach. More than half of Canadian sports fans agree that YouTube is one of the first places they go before, during or after major sports events or news.2

      Thanks to Dude Perfect (and Panda!) for visiting their passionate Canadian fans in Toronto. We, along with the millions of sports fans on YouTube, can’t wait to see what you’ll pull off next!

      Posted by Jenn Kaiser, Communications Manager, YouTube Canada

      1 Google Trends, YouTube Search, Worldwide, Jan. 2011–Mar. 2016.

      2 Sports Fandom on YouTube, Google / Ipsos Connect, May 2016 (n=5,005 Online Canadian respondents age 18-54)

      Welcome creators! YouTube Space Toronto opens today

      Canada is a creative powerhouse. From global musical sensations and trailblazing beats, to electric comedy and captivating edutainment, Toronto has long been an epicentre for creative talent.

      Today we officially open YouTube Space Toronto to supercharge one of the largest creator communities in North America! YouTube Space Toronto will be a creative industry incubator, offering creators an opportunity to learn from industry experts, connect with fellow YouTubers in a collaborative setting and use the latest latest film equipment to create more ambitious and innovative video content.
      YT_logo_space_TORONTO (1).png
      Located at at George Brown College’s Centre for Arts, Design & Information Technology, YouTube Space Toronto will offer workshops and programming at no cost  to Canadian creators who are looking to build their channels, giving them tools and guidance to remove barriers and enable them to innovate and experiment.

      At YouTube Space Toronto, creators can:
      • Learn: From training programs and workshops to master classes, there are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on experience from industry experts.
      • Connect: Attend events, collaborate with fellow creators, brainstorm ideas, and share tips and tricks to get the most out of YouTube.
      • Create: This is your space to make your videos and there are resources to help you from start to finish, including areas for creative collaboration; loaner production equipment such as cameras, lights, boom microphones, and more; rotating sets and enclosed sound stage.

      The Canadian creator scene is one of the world’s most vibrant YouTube communities, with many of the world’s top YouTube creators hailing from Canada. We’re thrilled to open our doors to this incredible community, as well as the next generation of YouTube artists, musicians and entertainers, who are looking build their channels and share their content with YouTube’s audience of one billion people.
      YouTube Space Toronto - lobby entrance.jpg
      The entrance to YouTube Space Toronto at George Brown College

      Today, YouTube Space Toronto joins a list of eight other cities to have a YouTube Space, all of which are also known for their local creative industries. Since March 2015, creators filming in YouTube Spaces globally have produced over 10,000 videos, which have generated over 1 billion views and 70+ million hours of watchtime.
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      Play button recipients at the YouTube Space Toronto Opening. Collectively, the creators in attendance had 70 million subscribers - or twice the population of Canada!

      For the latest YouTube Space Toronto news and events, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.


      We can’t wait to see what happens when Canadian creators have a Space to call their own. One thing we know for sure, the world will be watching!

      Posted by Liam Collins, Head of YouTube Spaces Americas

      Inviting more players to the game: YouTube Gaming comes to Canada

      For years Canadians have turned to YouTube to connect with their favourite gaming content, including content from top Canadian gaming creators like Vanoss, TypicalGamer and The Bajan Canadian. On YouTube, Canadians have found a community that is creating amazing content, including new collaborative and interactive formats that have reshaped the video game landscape, and pushed YouTube forward.

      Now we’re inviting more players to the game. Starting today, we’re making the YouTube Gaming mobile app available on iOS and Android in Canada. YouTube Gaming is an app that keeps you connected to the games, players, and culture that matter to you, with videos, live streams, and the biggest community of gamers on the web—all in one place. We launched YouTube Gaming in the U.S. and U.K. last August, and we’re excited to invite new players to join us.

      YouTube Gaming is built to be all about your favorite games and gamers, with more videos than anywhere else. We automatically pull in all gaming-related videos and live streams from YouTube to YouTube Gaming. From “Asteroids” to “Zelda,” more than 25,000 games will each have their own page, a single place for all the best videos and live streams about that title. You’ll also find channels from a wide array of game publishers and YouTube creators.

      Keeping up with these games and channels is super easy, too. Add a game to your collection for quick access whenever you want to check up on the latest videos, or subscribe to a channel to get a notification as soon as they start a live stream. Uncover new favorites with recommendations based on the games and channels you love. And when you want something specific, you can search with confidence, knowing that typing “call” will show you “Call of Duty” and not “Call Me Maybe.”
      Gaming-Family-Large.png
      We know live streams bring the gaming community closer together, so we’ve created a dedicated destination for them within YouTube Gaming. On Android, we’ve also made it simpler to broadcast your gameplay to YouTube. You can now record and live stream mobile gameplay on-the-go directly from Android devices using Mobile Capture in YouTube Gaming. You don’t need any additional hardware or software—just tap Go Live in the YouTube Gaming app, turn on your selfie cam and record your commentary with your phone’s microphone.
      We’re so excited to bring YouTube Gaming to Canada, and look forward to watching more together.

      Posted by Alex Costa, Gaming Creator Partnerships, North America

      Your YouTube "How To" Guide to the Holidays


      The holidays should be a festive time of year, not frenzied. But there’s no need to panic: our community of YouTube gurus is here to keep calm this holiday season with more than 135 million how-to videos.

      From figuring out what to do with your leftovers, pleasing your vegan guests, or keeping your kids occupied with holiday-themed activities, these Canadian YouTube Creators have the answers to all your holiday questions.

      How to get the party started
      Whether it's throwing a formal dinner party or entertaining last-minute guests, you're likely to host guests at least once over the holiday season. To impress your guests when they arrive, The Domestic Geek, has tons of easy-to-make crowd pleasers, including the classic cheeseboard, herbed popcorn, sweet rosemary bar nuts and 3 delicious party dips.
      How to rock a holiday look under $100
      The holiday season means parties galore. Although you want to look your best at all times, you also don’t want to break the bank. Canada’s beauty guru, RachhLoves, shows you how to put together an entire holiday look (outfit, shoes, jewelry, makeup) for under $100.
      How to clean your space post-holidays: Cleaning up your holiday decor or cleaning once your guests have left can sometimes be the worst part about the holidays. Not to fear, Melissa Maker of Clean My Space has all sorts of tips for how to clean up post-holiday, including how to clean up after a party, holiday meal cleanup tips, and holiday decor cleanup.
      We hope these YouTubers' tutorials can help you impress your guests and loved ones this holiday season. Have a safe and happy holiday!

      Posted by Jenn Kaiser, Communications Manager, YouTube Canada