YouTube Shorts Claims 1.5 Billion Global Users As TikTok Rivalry Heats Up
Google-parent Alphabet on Wednesday said its YouTube Shorts, a short-form video rival to TikTok, now has 1.5 billion monthly logged-in users globally. Google stock rose on the news as the Nasdaq composite also gained.
At 1.5 billion monthly users, "YouTube Shorts" would surpass the most recent numbers released by TikTok. In September, TikTok said its app had more than 1 billion monthly active users.
Amid growing competition with TikTok, Google has been disclosing more metrics for YouTube Shorts. On its first-quarter earnings call, Google said YouTube Shorts had more than 30 billion views per day — four times more views than a year earlier.
In addition, Google said YouTube is testing advertising in the short-form video service. Monetizing YouTube Shorts could give Google a boost.
TikTok Ad Revenue Booming
TikTok's global ad revenue will jump 200% in 2022 to $11.64 billion, forecasts InsiderIntelligence.com.
YouTube missed its first-quarter revenue target. YouTube advertising revenue rose 14% to $6.87 billion, short of analyst estimates for $7.21 billion.
Alphabet has not disclosed YouTube's profitability.
Google stock rose 2.9% to 2,195.29 on the stock market today. Shares have retreated 25% thus far in 2022.
TikTok is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance.