YouTube was launched in 2005 and bought by Google in 2006.

It paid $1.76bn (£1.16bn) for the site, which at the time had an estimated 30-40 million users world wide.

With one billion monthly users, it poses a challenge to Facebook as the internet's largest social network. Facebook reached a billion users in October last year.

"Nearly one out of every two people on the Internet visits YouTube," the company said in its statement.

It was keen to stress the business potential of such a large audience.

"Tens of thousands of partners have created channels that have found and built businesses for passionate, engaged audiences. Advertisers have taken notice," it said, saying that the top 100 brands listed by trade magazine Advertising Age were now running campaigns on YouTube.

The BBC also has a presence on YouTube, with a number of different channels. Some are run by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the corporation.

chiover: Gosh, Nairaland youtube won win dis cup o abeg go invite ghost members add here joor me we overtake yooutube sharp sharp abi wuruwuru no folow? Ah even barca dey do am o

chiover: Gosh, Nairaland youtube won win dis cup o abeg go invite ghost members add here joor me we overtake yooutube sharp sharp abi wuruwuru no folow? Ah even barca dey do am o

*solid*:
Owkay, how does this affect the next girl I will f u c k?

chiover: Gosh, Nairaland youtube won win dis cup o abeg go invite ghost members add here joor me we overtake yooutube sharp sharp abi wuruwuru no folow? Ah even barca dey do am o

desh: Can bet dat half a billion r nigerian viewers.

elkol:

NONSENSE!
Like this post if you think Chiover deserves thorough spanking..

olempe:

Small boi...

chiover: Gosh, Nairaland youtube won win dis cup o abeg go invite ghost members add here joor mek we overtake youtube sharp sharp abi wuruwuru no folow? Ah even barca dey do am o