Google

Method

Google buys YouTube in October 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars in stock, the purchase that makes every later creator business possible. In May 2012 it takes a 35 million dollar equity stake in Machinima, its first open investment in a content company. In October 2016 it buys FameBit, a Santa Monica marketplace matching brands to YouTube creators, for an undisclosed sum, renames it YouTube BrandConnect in 2020 and folds it into YouTube's own tools. Google's pattern is to buy the rail and let creators own the audience.

Open on the map Directory Suggest a correction

The path: money and goods moving

• spawnedGoogle AdSenseGoogle launches AdSense in June 2003 after acquiring Applied Semantics, later the payment rail for all YouTube creator earnings.2003
• acquiredYouTubeGoogle agrees to buy YouTube for 1.65 billion dollars in stock on October 9, 2006 and closes the purchase on November 13, 2006, both announced in press releases filed with the SEC.2006
• invested inKin CommunityYouTube funds Kin Community's launch in October 2011 under its original channels initiative and declines follow on funding.2011
• invested inMachinimaGoogle takes a 35 million dollar equity stake in Machinima in May 2012, its first open investment in a content company.2012
• acquiredFameBitGoogle buys FameBit on October 11, 2016 for an undisclosed price and renames it YouTube BrandConnect on June 16, 2020, closing the self service marketplace. (partly verified)2016