YouTube reaches 80% of internet users in India: Google

With the increasing penetration of smartphones, data becoming affordable and ever-growing availability of content, 80% of internet users across all age-groups in the country are accessing YouTube, Google India said on Friday.

The Google-owned company highlighted how YouTube is associated with India's internet growth story at "Brandcast 2018" event as it celebrated its 10th anniversary in the country since its launch in 2008.

"For brands, YouTube is now an end-to-end platform and as per the December 2017 'ComScore Video Metrix Multi-Platform' it reaches 85% of all highly engaged internet users, in the 18 years and above age-group," Rajan Anandan, Vice-President, South East Asia and India, Google, said in a statement.

Touching 225 million monthly active users on mobile alone, India is one of the fastest-growing countries for the video platform, the company said.

"We now have more than 300 channels with over a million subscribers, from just 16 channels in 2014. We will continue to invest in programmes to support creators, and encourage more diversity and distribution of their content," said Robert Kyncl, Chief Business Officer, YouTube.

The impact of YouTube in India isn't limited only to the youth groups but spans across all age groups. Highlightin this Sapna Chadha, Director Marketing, South East Asia and India, Google said, "The reason behind YouTube's influence in shaping culture comes back to it's engaged audience. In India, YouTube is seeing incredible growth across all age groups, even amongst 55+ audience our reach stands at over 80%."

The total number of online video consumers is expected to reach 500 million by 2020, the company said citing a report by FICCI-EY.