YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Stepping Down After Almost A Decade In The Position 

Wojcicki said in a statement to YouTube staff that she is leaving the business to focus on her health, family, and personal interests.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube, has announced her resignation from the famous video-sharing platform. Wojcicki has been a Google (GOOG, GOOGL) employee for 25 years, and she has overseen YouTube for the last nine years, having previously served as VP of advertisements and sales.

Wojcicki built YouTube into one of the most popular sites on the internet during her tenure as CEO. It’s also become an important element of Google’s advertising business, bringing in $7.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022 alone, and $29.2 billion overall. Yet, ad revenue declined from $8.6 billion in the previous year to $8.6 billion in the current quarter.

Alphabet’s chief business officer Philipp Schindler told investors at the company’s fourth-quarter results conference earlier this month, “Despite persistent revenue challenges in Q4, we’re optimistic in YouTube’s long-term trajectory.”

Meanwhile, Wojcicki said in a statement to YouTube staff that she is leaving the business to focus on her health, family, and personal interests.

“Over the years, I’ve worn many hats and done so many things: managed marketing, co-created Google Image Search, led Google’s first Video and Book search, as well as early parts of AdSense’s creation, worked on the YouTube and DoubleClick acquisitions, served as SVP of Ads, and for the last nine years, the CEO of YouTube,” she said in a statement.

“I took on each challenge that came my way because it had a mission that benefited so many people’s lives around the world: finding information, telling stories, and supporting creators, artists, and small businesses. I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved. It’s been exhilarating, meaningful, and all-consuming.”

Neal Mohan, who has been YouTube’s chief product officer since 2015, will take over as the company’s next CEO. Wojcicki will continue to act as a Google adviser.

The now-former YouTube CEO was one of Google’s very first employees. She first rented out her garage to Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were developing the search engine.

YouTube is undergoing a larger change. For younger users, the firm faces stiff competition from TikTok and Instagram. It launched its Shorts product in 2021 to compete in the short-form video sector.

In addition, as part of an effort to raise interest in its YouTube TV platform, the business has signed an agreement to stream NFL Sunday Ticket.