YouTube Appoints Web3 Advocate as New CEO

• Blockchain Council
• September 17, 2024

YouTube has announced a change in leadership, as its current CEO, Susan Wojcicki, steps down from her position. She will be replaced by Neal Mohan, a long-time Google executive who has worked closely with the YouTube team for many years.

Mohan is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience in the technology industry. He has been with Google for over a decade, where he has held various leadership roles, including the head of product for YouTube, the vice president of product and engineering for DoubleClick, and most recently, the chief product officer for YouTube.

Mohan has been a strong advocate of the potential of Web3 and its impact on the future of online experiences. He has been vocal about the need for YouTube to embrace this new technology and explore ways to integrate it into the platform.

Thank you, @SusanWojcicki. It's been amazing to work with you over the years. You've built YouTube into an extraordinary home for creators and viewers. I'm excited to continue this awesome and important mission. Looking forward to what lies ahead… https://t.co/Rg5jXv1NGb

— Neal Mohan (@nealmohan) February 16, 2023

Mohan’s interest in Web3 is not surprising, given his background in technology and his experience leading large product teams. In a recent interview, he spoke about the potential of Web3 to transform the way we interact with online content and communities.

He noted that Web3 has the potential to create a more equitable and sustainable online ecosystem, where users are rewarded for their contributions and have more control over their data. He also highlighted the potential for Web3 to enable new forms of content creation and monetization, which could benefit creators and users alike.

In a statement, Mohan expressed his excitement about taking on the new role and working with the talented team at YouTube. “YouTube is one of the most beloved and valuable brands in the world, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead it into the next chapter,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with our team and creators to continue delivering amazing experiences to our viewers and growing our community.”

Mohan’s appointment comes at a time when YouTube is facing increasing pressure from regulators and advertisers to address issues around content moderation, misinformation, and the safety of its users. The platform has also faced criticism from some creators for its policies around demonetization and content takedowns.

While it is unclear how Mohan plans to integrate Web3 into YouTube, his appointment is a clear signal that the company is interested in exploring this new technology and its potential to create a better online experience for users. As Web3 continues to evolve and gain momentum, it will be interesting to see how Mohan and the YouTube team leverage this technology to create new opportunities for creators and users on the platform.