It’s Been 20 Years Since The First Video was Uploaded To YouTube. It’s been 20 years since the first video was uploaded to YouTube. YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded a 19-second video called ‘Me at the Zoo’ on April 23, 2005. The video was filmed at the San Diego Zoo, where Karim stood in front of elephants and commented on their long trunks.
That simple video was the beginning of a platform that would revolutionise the way video content was viewed and created. ‘Me at the Zoo’ has become a symbol of YouTube’s beginnings.
The first video, ‘Me at the Zoo’, has been viewed over 350 million times so far. The video is a reminder of YouTube’s journey from a startup to a global video giant.
Notably, Javed Karim has been using the video as a way to comment on various changes happening on YouTube. He has updated the video details, criticising YouTube’s decisions, such as Google Plus integration and removing the dislike button. Most recently, in February 2025, he also mentioned the dangers of microplastics in the description.
Thus, what began as a simple zoo visit has become a significant part of YouTube history and online video culture today. ‘Me at the Zoo’ represents the foundation of YouTube and is a testament to how the platform has evolved.
