India has solidified its position as a powerhouse on YouTube, with an astounding number of content creators reshaping the digital landscape. At the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan highlighted India’s rapid growth and announced a significant investment to boost the country’s creator economy.

India’s YouTube Dominance

Over the past year, more than 100 million Indian channels have actively uploaded content. Among these, over 15,000 channels have crossed the one million subscriber milestone. This incredible surge showcases India’s thriving digital ecosystem, where creators from diverse backgrounds contribute to global entertainment, education, and business.

Economic Impact of YouTube in India

YouTube has become a major source of revenue for Indian creators, artists, and media companies. In the last three years, the platform has paid over ₹21,000 crore to Indian creators. This financial support underscores how YouTube is not just a content hub but a sustainable career avenue for many.

YouTube’s ₹850 Crore Investment Plan

To further enhance India’s creator economy, YouTube has announced an investment of ₹850 crore over the next two years. This initiative aims to empower emerging creators, provide better monetization opportunities, and enhance global visibility for Indian content.

Global Appeal of Indian Content

Indian creators are making waves internationally, with 45 billion hours of their content watched by global audiences in just one year. This trend highlights India’s growing influence in digital entertainment, turning it into a major cultural exporter.

Neal Mohan’s Vision for India

Mohan emphasized how India’s creator ecosystem has evolved beyond traditional media. He stated, “YouTube’s ability to connect a creator anywhere with audiences EVERYWHERE has made it a powerful engine of cultural export, and few nations have leveraged this as effectively as India.”