Part of the reason why India has surged when it comes to YouTube content creation is the ease of access for tools like AI voiceovers, simple editing software and smart design apps to create YouTube thumbnails – making content creation accessible to almost anybody with a smartphone or computer.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the stats, and discussing why the Youtube scene in India continues to thrive thanks to the Creator Collective.
Facts & figures
As of April 2024, India was the country with the largest YouTube audience by far, with approximately 476 million users engaging with the popular social video platform.
In 2022, India had more than 7,000 YouTube channels with over 1 million subscribers and a further 75,000 that had 100,000 or more followers, a massive 50 per cent increase on 2021 – and this is a number that keeps rising every year.
But what has really driven the booming YouTube scene is the emergence of the YouTube Creator Collective, which has paved the way for new levels of collaboration and turned India into a global powerhouse of content creation.
What is the YouTube Creator Collective?
Previously, YouTubers operated in siloes and instead of working together, would often compete against each other. That was counterproductive, which clusters of successful YouTubers began to realise. So groups started to network and band together, ultimately leading to a collaboration hub of millions of content creators in India, dubbed the YouTube Creator Collective.
Content creators pool resources, share skills, educate newcomers and work together on large projects to escalate the volume and quality of YouTube content being produced in India.
This has also made the industry more accessible; as new and emerging talent are no longer fighting to compete with established content creators. Rather, they can join a network that fosters innovation through collaboration and creates a real sense of community.
Influence & inspiration from the top
When young or junior YouTube content creators are looking for inspiration, there is no better source than those that have blazed the trail before them. Some of the biggest names of Indian YouTubers have linked with the Creator Collective to share their stories and advice for the next generation of talent.
This covers a wide cross-section of subject material as well, with influencers including famous comedians Bhuvan Bam and Ashish Chanchlani lending their voices. There’s also technology experts like Technical Guruji, MostlySane YouTube star and Netflix actor Prajakta Koli and Gaurav Taneja, also known as Flying Beast, boasting over 9 million followers.
Those at the top of their game use this platform to inspire and educate the wider network, and is one example of the many globally influential initiatives in India.
Influence beyond the online realm
What started as a network through digital channels has quickly expanded into the 'real' world, through live meetups, events and conventions around the country. Networking online is one thing, but shaking hands with real people and making contacts for life through these events opens up the floor for exchanging more insights and cultivating a greater sense of community.
These live events are already taking off, with events planned for cities including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune and Delhi along with other major centres throughout India. They attract creators, fans and industry experts, providing avenues for learning and new partnerships.
From panel discussions to live performances, these occasions become centres of creativity, where ideas flow freely, friendships are formed and collaborations take root.
Benefits of the YouTube Creator Collective in India
There are many reasons why the YouTube Creator Collective has unlocked the potential of the creator economy.
Literally anybody can become a creator, but the industry is still young and learning the ropes. Understanding the pitfalls and traps, and the skills to create content that will genuinely reach and interest a wider audience requires education.
This means that bright young (or old) minds can monetise their content creation from the beginning, without having to grind for years and operate on trial and error to discover what works and what doesn't.
It also allows for greater ambition. By tapping into the collective, creators can bring their skills together for major projects, including full-fledged documentaries and cinema experiences that would not be possible without a team effort.
An agent of wider positive change
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of the Creator Collective is the ability to influence change. This powerful network of YouTubers now has arguably the greatest reach and audience in the country, which goes beyond entertainment, influencing communities and creating real societal change.
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Like they say, there’s strength in numbers. Becoming part of the wider network means a YouTube content creator has more resilience in the face of challenges and more resources to tap into.
If content creation is something you’re skilled in or want to take further, joining the YouTube Creator Collective in India has become an essential first step.
The future is exciting. With technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality taking hold, there are going to be even greater avenues for storytelling in the future. This growing network of YouTube professionals is going to be at the forefront of this shift, so if you’re interested in developing your own skills, now is a great time to find your way in.