Today is the five-year anniversary of YouTube’s first video upload. YouTube‘s rapid ascent as a top online destination has been nothing short of spectacular. By bringing online video to everyone, YouTube has not only helped revolutionize how we consume and share information, but also — and maybe most significantly — how we create content.

The social-media phenomenon has made us all content creators: we can post or upload news, random musings, recommendations, and pictures in a variety of media. Yet no medium has evolved more than video, and that’s in large part because of YouTube.

Here are the top three ways we think YouTube has changed video and social media:

1. Lowering the Barriers to Entry for Creators

With the introduction of high-quality $150 handheld HD cameras that provide easy upload and sharing, the cost barrier to entry for content creators has been all but demolished.

2. Breaking Distribution Down

One of YouTube’s greatest achievements has been reinventing the video distribution model, which has enabled individuals to connect with each other and share their content without strict, costly, or limiting requirements.

3. Monetizing Creators’ Content

Democratizing distribution has also meant major strides toward a thriving business model that’s not only made YouTube a huge success, but also brought income to content creators. YouTube’s platform is becoming a robust content monetization engine providing creators revenue shares and enabling direct sales into the platform. And this is no small feat.

Where to, YouTube?

YouTube has become the second-largest search engine in the world (behind Google), which shows you that we’re not just looking to be entertained, we’re also using it as an informational resource. Individual gurus like Gary Vaynerchuk are some of the most popular informational resources, along with instructional video resources like us (youtube.com/howcast), making YouTube a valuable education tool.

After five years of video uploads, YouTube has changed how we communicate. Now, everyone is a potential content creator. Kindergarten’s just starting, YouTube, and you’re already at the head of the class.

-Rick Bashkoff, head of strategic partnerships (including YouTube)