Susan Wojcicki, one of Google’s first employees and the CEO of YouTube since 2014, will step down from her position. Wojcicki announced her decision in a blog post, stating that she will be transitioning to a new role at Google as the head of the company’s online shopping division.
Wojcicki has been with Google since 1999 and played a significant role in the development of many of the company’s products, including Google Images, Google Books, and Google Ads. In 2014, she was appointed CEO of YouTube, taking over from Salar Kamangar. During her tenure, Wojcicki oversaw significant growth in the platform’s user base and revenue, but the company has recently faced challenges.
One of the biggest challenges facing YouTube is the intense competition for viewership and advertising revenue. In the second quarter of 2021, YouTube’s advertising revenue fell for the second straight quarter, due in part to competition from short-form video services such as TikTok and Facebook’s Reels, as well as streaming services like Netflix.
Wojcicki’s departure from YouTube comes at a time when the platform is facing increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. The company has been criticized for its handling of misinformation, hate speech, and other harmful content, and has faced multiple lawsuits related to these issues.
As Wojcicki transitions to her new role at Google, the company has announced that YouTube’s current chief product officer, Neal Mohan, will take over as CEO. Mohan has been with YouTube since 2011 and is credited with helping to build the platform’s advertising business.
In her blog post, Wojcicki expressed confidence in Mohan’s ability to lead YouTube, stating that he has “a deep understanding of the issues and opportunities facing the business, and a clear vision for its future.”
As YouTube faces new challenges and opportunities, it will be interesting to see how Mohan and the rest of the company’s leadership team navigate the ever-changing landscape of online video and advertising.
