Angela's WikiProject - YouTube

YouTube
YouTube is a Google company that started in 2005. It allows people around the world to create, share, and watch originally-created videos. According to their website it is a distribution platform that allows people to connect, inform, and inspire others. It also allows for advertising by both small and large firms.

Participatory Culture of YouTube
Whenever the sharing economy is discussed YouTube often comes up as an example. Users are able to create, view, and share videos for free. In some initial research I have done I found the article "YouTube as a participatory culture". Chau (2010) stated that some people may watch and read the comments on a video but not contribute to the discussion. Their participation is taken into account in by view counts. He states that once users become more comfortable, they create an account and then comment, respond, and rate videos. This is mostly how users engage on YouTube and is key to how the platform operates. This feedback encourage video creators to create more. It is interesting to note that social connection stimulates artistic expression and vice-versa, which I wish to explore further in my paper.

Main Question
I will be analyzing 3 incentives of participating in the YouTube culture specifically money, artistic expression, social connection. Why these incentives make people create YouTube videos will be analyzed.

Method
In order to conduct my research for this project I will be using scholarly sources and conducting my own research.