YouTube CEO, Susan Wojcicki steps down after nearly a decade

After nine years in the role and 24 years overall at Google, Susan Wojcicki has resigned as CEO of YouTube. This disclosure was made in a blog post on the organization’s website.

Neal Mohan, the current Chief Product Officer, will take over as the new SVP and leader of YouTube after she steps down. She claimed that she chose to leave her position to start a new chapter in her life that is dedicated to her family, health, and other private endeavours.

In the memo written for YouTubers, Susan Wojcicki said,

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats and done so many things: managed marketing, co-created Google Image Search, led Google’s first Video and Book search, as well as early parts of AdSense’s creation, worked on the YouTube and DoubleClick acquisitions, served as SVP of Ads, and for the last nine years, the CEO of YouTube…Today, after nearly 25 years here, I’ve decided to step back from my role as the head of YouTube and start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I’m passionate about.

Susan Wojcicki joined Google in 1999 as the company’s 16th employee and a member of the original C-suite. In Menlo Park, California, the company was started in her garage by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. In February 2014, she was appointed as the CEO, but after almost a decade, she decided to step back.

YouTube’s growth since 2006

Google purchased YouTube in 2006 for approximately $1.65 billion. Wojcicki reportedly impacted the buyout after seeing YouTube’s early 2000s popularity, according to TechCrunch.

Even after the purchase, Chad Hurley, who served as YouTube’s first CEO, retained his position. Salar Kamangar assumed over in 2010. Susan Wojcicki took on the role of CEO of the video-sharing platform four years later.

Under her leadership, YouTube increased its daily user base to over 2.6 billion (from 1.1 billion in 2014), 80 million of whom now subscribe to the platform’s $11.99/month premium service. More than 10% of Alphabet’s total revenue in 2022 came from the $29.2 billion in ad sales that YouTube earned.

Wojcicki was the driving force behind YouTube TV and its over-the-top streaming TV service, YouTube Premium (previously known as YouTube Red), both of which are ad-free membership services. She also supervised initiatives to create various ways for YouTube creators to be paid, including channel memberships, merchandise and paid digital goods.

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A new leader

Neal Mohan started his career at Accenture as a Senior Analyst in 1996. He later moved to DoubleClick where he worked for over five years before he moved to Microsoft as a Manager. In 2005, he joined DoubleClick again and moved over to Google with its acquisition in 2007 as the Senior Vice President, Display and Video Ads.

He was appointed Chief Product Officer of YouTube in 2015. Since that time, according to Wojcicki’s announcement, he has established a top-notch product and UX team, played key roles in the introduction of some of our most important products, including YouTube TV, YouTube Music, and Premium and Shorts, and has led the Trust and Safety team, ensuring that YouTube upholds its duty as a global platform.

Speaking of his capabilities, Susan Wojcicki said,

He has a wonderful sense for our product, our business, our creator and user communities, and our employees. Neal will be a terrific leader for YouTube. With all, we’re doing across Shorts, streaming, and subscriptions, together with the promises of AI, YouTube’s most exciting opportunities are ahead, and Neal is the right person to lead us.

Neal Mohan will join the growing list of Indian-origin CEOs at the helm of US-based global tech giants.

In summary

Wojcicki said she would continue to be involved with YouTube and its parent company, Alphabet, and support Neal with his transition process. She is currently taking on an advisory and hopes to continue using her different experiences gained over the years to offer counsel and guidance across Google and the portfolio of Alphabet companies

As for me, in the short term, I plan to support Neal and help with the transition, which will include continuing to work with some YouTube teams, coaching team members, and meeting with creators. She said.