YouTube Makes Strong Start to Social Media Earnings

Alphabet kicked off earnings season for social media companies with good news from YouTube: the video juggernaut’s advertising revenue rose 13% year over year in the second quarter, beating its growth rate in the first quarter and calming fears that President Trump’s tariffs would be a headwind for social media revenues. 

Another positive sign: Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said that YouTube Shorts now earn as much revenue per watch hour as traditional YouTube videos, and more in some countries, doubling down on comments made by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan a couple months ago. The volume and price of ads on YouTube Shorts is also increasing, according to Alphabet Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler.