YouTube offers a larger audience and more comprehensive features, including API accessibility and greater user control over content. X excels in real-time information dissemination but faces challenges with content moderation and data privacy. Both platforms provide robust advertising and monetization options, but brands need to be vigilant about content safety on both platforms.
| Attribute | X (formerly Twitter) | YouTube |
|---|---|---|
| User Base Size and Demographics | Approximately 600 million monthly users (some sources state 611 million monthly active users), about 245 million daily active users. Predominantly male (61%). A large portion of users are between 25 and 34 years old. The United States has the highest number of users. | Over 2.5 billion monthly active users as of 2025. India has the largest audience with approximately 467 million users, followed by the United States with around 238 million. Globally, YouTube's user base is slightly skewed towards males (54.4%), while females make up 45.6%. The largest age group on YouTube is between 25 and 34 years old. Gen Z and Millennials account for a large portion of YouTube users. |
| Content Moderation Policies and Enforcement | Aims to police harassment, hate speech, and offensive content. Uses a combination of machine learning and human review for moderation. Suspends accounts and removes or labels posts that violate their policies. Relies on automated technology to label content reported for abuse, harassment, and hateful conduct. Some accounts previously suspended have been reinstated. No longer enforces its policy against COVID-19 misinformation. France has launched a criminal investigation into X over hate speech. | YouTube employs a combination of automated systems and human moderators to enforce its Community Guidelines. These guidelines outline what content is and isn't allowed, covering topics like hate speech, pornography, misinformation, and harmful or dangerous content. YouTube's automated systems flag potentially violating content, which is then reviewed by human moderators. Recently, YouTube has relaxed its content moderation policies, now allowing videos with up to 50% harmful misinformation to remain online if deemed in the 'public interest'. |
| Advertising Options and Targeting Capabilities | Offers various ad formats, including image, video, and carousel ads. Targeting options include keywords, follower lookalikes, interests, and demographics. Advertisers can target users based on their age, gender, location, and device. Also provides tailored audiences and retargeting options. AI is used to improve ad targeting. | YouTube offers various ad targeting options to reach specific audiences. These include demographic targeting (age, gender, location, income, parental status), interest-based targeting, search-based targeting (keywords), and remarketing. Advertisers can also target specific YouTube channels or videos. |
| Content Creator Monetization Options | Offers several ways for creators to monetize their content, including subscriptions, tips, and ad revenue sharing. The Creator Revenue Sharing program allows verified users to earn money from ads displayed in the replies to their posts. Ticketed Spaces allow creators to host exclusive live audio events. Creators can also use affiliate marketing and sponsored content. | YouTube provides multiple ways for content creators to monetize their content. These include ad revenue sharing through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), YouTube Premium subscriptions, channel memberships, Super Chat & Super Stickers, Super Thanks, YouTube Shopping (merchandise), and BrandConnect. To join the YPP, creators need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid watch hours in the past 12 months, or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. |
| Real-Time Information Dissemination Speed | Known for its real-time engagement. A platform where news breaks and people discuss trends. Many users identify X as their go-to source for staying informed about news and events. | YouTube allows users to access real-time information and breaking news through live streams and timely content uploads. |
| Community Engagement Features | X Communities allow users to connect and interact with others who share similar interests. Engagement is measured through likes, retweets, replies, shares, and clicks. Adding new analytics for Communities to help admins understand what generates the most interest. Also adding Community-specific Spaces chats and improved moderator tools. | YouTube offers features to foster community engagement, such as likes, comments, shares, subscriptions, community posts, live streams with Super Chat and Super Stickers, and channel memberships. YouTube is also introducing new community features to enhance interaction between creators and fans. |
| Algorithm Transparency and Control | Algorithm is not fully transparent. X uses collected data for training AI models. Users can access, modify, delete, and export their personal information. | YouTube's algorithm considers community engagement as a ranking factor. Users have some control over their content feed through privacy settings and the ability to manage their watch history and subscriptions. |
| Data Privacy Policies and User Data Control | Collects personal information such as email addresses, phone numbers, and address book contacts. May use personal information to display targeted advertisements. A new privacy policy, effective November 15, 2024, emphasizes transparency while expanding data collection. X's new policy allows it to collect some users biometric data with consent. The platform maintains indefinite storage of certain user data. | YouTube collects user data to personalize content and ads. However, YouTube states that it does not sell personal information. Users have tools to control their data privacy, such as pausing watch and search history, adjusting ad preferences, and using Incognito mode. |
| Integration with Other Platforms and Services | Integrates with payment services like CashApp, PayPal, and Venmo. 88.1% of X users also use Instagram. | YouTube integrates with other Google services and allows creators to promote their content across different platforms. |
| Brand Safety and Reputation Management Tools | Provides tools to manage brand reputation and ensure brand safety. Offers options to control where ads appear. | YouTube provides tools for brands to manage their reputation and ensure brand safety. However, with recent changes in content moderation policies, brands need to be more vigilant and use social listening tools to monitor content and sentiment. |
| Analytics and Reporting Dashboards | Has a native analytics dashboard. It shows key metrics that help users determine how their posts perform. Metrics include follower count, impressions, engagement, reposts, and replies. | YouTube provides analytics and reporting dashboards for content creators to track performance and engagement. |
| API Accessibility and Developer Support | Not available. | YouTube offers APIs and developer support for developers to integrate YouTube functionality into their applications. |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | overall: mixed opinions regarding the effectiveness of content moderation, performance: X is known for its real-time information dissemination speed. | Not available |