How One Decision in 2003 Set the Stage for the Internet We Know Today
In 2003, Google was just a search engine—no Gmail, no Maps, no Chrome. Then one woman made a decision so bold it would change the internet forever.
Here’s how Susan Wojcicki turned a tiny website into YouTube—a $1.65 billion gamble that redefined online culture. 🧵
The story begins in 2003. Google was growing fast but missing one thing: content.
At the same time, the internet was transforming. Blogs, Napster, and MySpace were turning everyday users into creators.
But there was no easy way to share videos online. That’s where Susan comes in.
Susan Wojcicki wasn’t just any exec. She was the 16th employee at Google and the one who rented her garage to Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998.
By 2003, she was running Google’s ad business—a division that would become the company’s cash cow. But Susan wanted more.
Around this time, three former PayPal employees launched a quirky little website: YouTube.
Their pitch?
A platform where anyone could upload and share videos. In 2005, the site exploded with a clip called “Me at the zoo.”
The internet would never be the same.
But here’s the problem
YouTube was bleeding money. Video hosting wasn’t cheap, and they needed a lifeline.
Meanwhile, Google Video (Google’s own attempt at video sharing) was a flop.
That’s when Susan made her boldest pitch yet: Google should BUY YouTube.
The idea was controversial, to say the least. $1.65 billion for a platform with no clear revenue model? Critics called it absurd.
Even Google’s leadership hesitated. But Susan saw what others didn’t: the future of media wasn’t just consumption—it was participation.
And she was right.
In 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock. At the time, it was Google’s largest acquisition.
People called it a gamble. A risk. A mistake.
Today, it looks more like a steal.
YouTube didn’t just survive—it thrived. Susan became CEO in 2014 and transformed it into a cultural and economic juggernaut:
📈 2.5 billion monthly users.
💵 $29.2 billion in annual ad revenue (2022).
📺 The second most-visited site in the world, after Google itself.**
But let’s not sugarcoat it. The journey wasn’t smooth. YouTube faced controversies:
❌ Copyright battles with music labels.
❌ Advertiser boycotts over harmful content.
❌ Backlash over algorithmic rabbit holes.
Through it all, Susan led with a mix of pragmatism and innovation.
One of her biggest moves?
Empowering creators. 🎥
YouTube’s Partner Program (launched in 2007) allowed users to earn money from their videos.
This simple idea birthed an entirely new economy: influencers, vloggers, and creators making millions by sharing their passions.
Today, YouTube isn’t just a video platform. It’s:
A career engine for creators.
A search engine for how-to content.
A global stage for activism, education, and culture.
And it all started with one bold decision to bet on creators instead of control.
But here’s the irony.
Back in 2006, people laughed at YouTube’s slogan: “Broadcast Yourself.”
Today, that vision is more relevant than ever. From TikTok to Twitch, the internet is driven by individuals—not corporations.
Susan and YouTube saw it first.
So why does this story matter?
Because it’s a blueprint for innovation:
1️⃣ Recognize trends early.
2️⃣ Bet big, even when others doubt you.
3️⃣ Put creators and users at the center of your strategy.
YouTube didn’t just ride the wave—it created it.
Think about this: In less than two decades, YouTube has gone from a quirky startup to a cornerstone of global culture.
Movies, music, news, education—it’s all on YouTube. And it wouldn’t exist without Susan Wojcicki’s bold vision.
Want to stay ahead of the curve like Susan? Learn how innovation, risk, and vision drive the world’s biggest decisions.
Hit that like, share, and follow for more insights into the people and ideas reshaping our future. 🌍✨
Thanks for reading!
I work with founders and executives to decentralize traditional business models by incorporating Bitcoin’s core principles. Together, we’re building BitcoinFi—the permissionless future has arrived!
Love what you read? Subscribe and never miss an update! 🔗 blockcity.substack.com
#Bitcoin #BTC #BTCFi #HODL #BlockCity #BlockCityFi #Satoshi #Freedom #Web3 #Entrepreneur #GrowNostr #MrDecentralize
