What protocol is used by YouTube for video streaming?

YouTube primarily uses HTTP for video streaming, which is crucial for how videos are delivered over the internet. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) allows for the transfer of various resources like web pages and media files. Within the context of YouTube, HTTP supports the efficient delivery of video data, enabling features such as adaptive bitrate streaming. This means that the video quality can adjust dynamically based on the viewer’s bandwidth and device capabilities, enhancing the overall user experience.

While TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures reliable communication by establishing a connection and guaranteeing that packets are delivered in order, it is closely linked with HTTP since HTTP operates over TCP. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is typically used for scenarios where speed is prioritized over reliability, like gaming or live broadcasts, but it's not the main protocol for YouTube which requires secure and reliable streaming of its content. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is primarily used for initiating, maintaining, and terminating real-time sessions in multimedia communications, making it irrelevant to a platform focused on video streaming like YouTube.

Understanding that YouTube effectively utilizes HTTP highlights the importance of this protocol in facilitating smooth and adaptive video playback under varying network conditions.