YouTube Cover image - laptop with a smartphone on top with the YouTube logo and wireless earphones

The YouTube App | How to Use it and How to Incorporate it into your Digital Signage 

YouTube has grown immensely since being launched as a failed video-dating website in 2005. Today, the platform boasts of over 2 billion users and local versions in more than 100 countries. YouTube users watch more than a billion hours of video content every day, that includes music videos, YouTube gaming videos, and comedy skits.

YouTube has become the platform of choice to watch user-generated videos, thanks to its global reach and gigantic content catalogue. In addition to uploading their content, creators can make money as well on the platform YouTube has also ventured to creating original content, live television, and music streaming.

Where to Get the YouTube App

While YouTube was first launched as a website for desktop, the prevalence of mobile phones encouraged the company to launch a mobile app. You can get the YouTube App for an Android or iOS mobile devices, and keep looking out for regular updates. However, you should be careful about getting the app from any internet source. Download the official YouTube app on Apple Store or Google Play. Currently, the YouTube App has over 50 million downloads.

YouTube homepage on a laptop. With headings: Home, My Channel., Trending and Subscriptions

There are various versions of YouTube, including:

YouTube

The official YouTube app is free with features like a subscriptions tab and home tab. You can upload your own videos, watch other people’s content, subscribe to favorite channels, comment, create playlists, and watch live streams. If you would like to opt out for ads, you can subscribe for YouTube Premium (previously YouTube Red) for $12.99 a month. This version allows background play and grants access to the platform’s original content. In addition, you will be subscribed to YouTube Music to keep up with the hottest music videos.

YouTube Kids

There is infinite content on YouTube, considering that 500 hours of video are uploaded to the app every minute. It is therefore difficult for parents to control what their young ones see. Thankfully, there is a YouTube kids app featuring educational content and other kid-friendly videos.

YouTube Music

YouTube Music, the successor of Google Play Music, represents YouTube’s first foray into music streaming. You can access the service on your android phone, iPhone, or iPad, and use the search and discovery features for navigation. Additionally, you can explore personal recommendations based on your likes and see the new and trending songs.

Using YouTube for Business

If you would like to join the 9% of U.S. small businesses who use YouTube, you can start with creating a business account. The platform has an About Section where you can add information about your business. You can also add links to your firm’s website and social pages like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Moreover, ensure that your account’s channel icon or profile photo represents your brand to encourage familiarity and loyalty. The tips below will help you use YouTube to grow your business:

Pay Attention to Your Audience

Your business account will have an Analytics tab that you can use to learn about your audience. You can see demographic statistics, watch time, views, and other content that your audience watched. It is also important to keep up with YouTube trends to stay relevant. For example, while long-form content was prevalent on the platform, there is a notable trend towards more short-form videos.

Optimize your Business Channel

YouTube ranks as the second largest search engine in the world after Google. Therefore, it will be challenging to stand out from the sea of online videos, but you can use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to your advantage. 

Firstly, use keywords that represent your brand and your content. Secondly, use a relevant description and headline as you upload videos to help YouTube know what your content is about. Additionally, encourage your viewers to comment, like, and share your content as YouTube likes videos with high engagement.

Display Your YouTube Content on Digital Signage

Your YouTube videos can engage and entertain your customers through digital signage screens. Also, you can live streaming content to your visitors, whether they are interested in live sports or live news. When choosing Digital signage software, opt for a solution that integrates with YouTube for convenience. You will be able to display any YouTube content in seconds on multiple seconds to keep your visitors informed at all times.

Example of YouTube being played on a digital signage display in an office setting

In Summary

YouTube’s prides in having over 1 billion users, the most of any video-sharing platform. The app makes it easy to upload, share, and engage with content, and creators are able to build communities of like-minded fans. Additionally, businesses can advertise their services, build their brands on YouTube, and stream their content on digital signage.

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