May 29, 2025
Business APAC
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan is making waves—not just for what he’s building next at YouTube but also for what he didn’t confirm in the past. In a recent podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Mohan addressed swirling rumors, revealed creator insights, and spotlighted India’s rising power in the global content scene.
“Where’s That Number Coming From?”Mohan Dismisses $100M Google Rumor
In a candid moment during Kamath’s popular podcast, Mohan was asked about a long-standing rumor that Google once offered him $100 million to stay at the company during a critical phase of the Silicon Valley talent war. Mohan’s response? A bemused:
“I wanna see where that number is written down.”
The offhand dismissal may not confirm or deny the legendary sum, but it certainly reinforces Mohan’s image as a grounded tech executive focused on the future rather than past speculation.
“Be Real”: Advice for India’s Next Gen Creators
When asked what creators should focus on today, Mohan didn’t talk about trending formats or viral hashtags. Instead, he delivered a simple but powerful message:
“Be authentic. Be passionate. Don’t just chase what you think the algorithm wants.”
With India emerging as one of YouTube’s largest markets, Mohan emphasized that YouTubers who bring their real selves to the screen have the best chance of long-term success.
YouTube Hits 1 Billion Podcast Users: “We’re Just Getting Started”
In another headline-worthy update, Mohan confirmed that YouTube now has over one billion monthly podcast listeners, making it the No.1 podcast platform in the U.S.
“We’re just getting started,” he said, hinting at more innovations, especially in seamlessly integrating video and audio content.
₹850 Crore Boost for India’s Creator Economy
YouTube is doubling down on its India strategy. Mohan announced an ₹850 crore investment to support Indian content creators, media companies, and artists, underscoring India’s rapid rise in the global digital content arena.
This move aligns with Google’s vision of empowering local creators to become global voices.
The 2025 Roadmap: AI, TVs, and Creator Startups
As YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary, Mohan laid out four key focus areas for 2025:
YouTube is a cultural epicenter – the go-to platform for trends, events, and movements.
Creators as startups – building tools to help creators scale like businesses.
TV-first optimization – with more users watching on Smart TVs, YouTube plans to enhance big-screen experiences.
Smarter with AI – from personalized feeds to creative tools, AI will be at the core of the user experience.
Final Word
Whether it’s refuting nine-figure myths or rolling out billion-user features, Neal Mohan is setting a bold new direction for YouTube. With India at the heart of that strategy, creators and audiences alike can expect a future that’s faster, fairer, and more creative than ever before.
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