Meet Neal Mohan, YouTube’s New CEO: An Advertising Veteran

Neal Mohan is the new CEO of YouTube, taking over the position from Susan Wojcicki in February 2023. Mohan has been a part of YouTube’s parent company, Google, for over 15 years and has played a significant role in developing YouTube’s advertising business. In this article, we will explore Mohan’s background, his experience at Google, and what his appointment as YouTube’s CEO means for the future of the world’s largest video-sharing platform.

Background 

Mohan was born in India and grew up in the United States. He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in computer science and engineering. After graduation, he worked at a few tech companies before formally joining Google in 2008.

Mohan’s Experience at Google

Mohan joined Google in 2008 as a product manager for AdSense, a program that allows website owners to earn money by displaying ads on their sites. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the vice president of product management for display and video ads. In this role, he was responsible for developing Google’s ad technology, including programmatic buying and real-time bidding.

Mohan’s most significant contribution to Google has been his work on developing YouTube’s advertising business. He was then promoted to senior vice president of display and video ads, and in this role, he oversaw the development of YouTube’s TrueView ad format. TrueView is a skippable ad format that allows viewers to choose whether or not to watch an ad, and advertisers only pay if the viewer watches the ad.

Under Mohan’s leadership, YouTube’s advertising business has grown significantly. In 2021, YouTube’s advertising revenue was $28 billion, up from $19 billion in 2020. Mohan has also been responsible for developing YouTube’s brand safety tools, which help advertisers ensure that their ads don’t appear alongside inappropriate content.

What Does Mohan’s Appointment Mean for YouTube?

Mohan’s appointment as YouTube’s CEO is significant for a few reasons. First, Mohan deeply understands YouTube’s advertising business, which is the platform’s primary source of revenue. As YouTube continues to compete with other video-sharing platforms like TikTok, having a CEO with a strong background in advertising will be crucial.

Second, Mohan’s appointment suggests that YouTube’s parent company, Google, is committed to investing in the platform. Google has been criticized in the past for not doing enough to address issues like hate speech and misinformation on YouTube. However, Mohan has been a vocal advocate for improving YouTube’s content moderation policies, and his appointment suggests that Google is taking these issues seriously.

Finally, Mohan’s appointment may also signal a shift in YouTube’s focus. In recent years, YouTube has been criticized for prioritizing engagement over the quality of its content. Mohan has previously spoken about the need to ensure that YouTube is a platform for quality content, suggesting he may be interested in promoting higher-quality videos.

Conclusion

Neal Mohan’s appointment as YouTube’s CEO is a significant development for the platform. Mohan’s advertising background and experience at Google make him an ideal candidate to lead YouTube into the future. His appointment also suggests that YouTube’s parent company, Google, is committed to investing in the platform and addressing the issues that have plagued it in the past. As YouTube continues competing with other video-sharing platforms, Mohan’s leadership will be crucial in ensuring that the platform remains the world’s largest and most popular.

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