YouTube

Over the past several months, the Australian government has been preparing legislation to force Google (and Facebook) to pay local publishers for content that appears in Search and News. The tech companies have come out against this proposal, and Google today is directly appealing to its Australian users in an open letter.

YouTube

Almost 90% of all uploaded YouTube videos will never reach 1,000 views

Damien Wilde Aug 10 2020 - 6:01 am PT

Even though YouTube is still the largest online video-sharing site by a massive margin, a new report has uncovered that almost 90% of video uploaded to the service generates fewer than 1,000 views.

YouTube

YouTube will stop emailing subscribers about new videos next week

Abner Li Aug 7 2020 - 8:07 am PT

A lot happens on YouTube, and the Google video site has for ages emailed subscribers that opted into alerts about new uploads and livestreams. YouTube is getting rid of these emails next week as very few people opened alerts about new videos from their inbox.

YouTube

YouTube will kill off its community caption feature in September due to spam, low usage

Ben Schoon Jul 31 2020 - 8:47 am PT

In a support post this week, YouTube has confirmed some unfortunate news. In September, YouTube’s community caption/translation features are being removed from the platform.

There was nearly a Google-branded Flip Video camera before YouTube deal in 2006

Ben Schoon Jul 31 2020 - 7:39 am PT

Back in the mid-2000s before we all had smartphones in our pocket capable of recording videos, there was the iconic Flip Video camcorder which was often used for recording videos on the fly. Ahead of its YouTube acquisition, Google was apparently in talks to have its own Flip Video camera produced.

YouTube

YouTube begins testing new upload icon and position on mobile

Damien Wilde Jul 31 2020 - 5:18 am PT

YouTube is testing a new upload icon and icon positioning on the mobile app to help improve and streamline uploads from your smartphone.

Google Stadia begins limited test of YouTube live streaming, Crowd Play

Kyle Bradshaw Jul 30 2020 - 1:28 pm PT

Google Stadia YouTube live streaming crowd play

One of the coolest promises of Google Stadia back at GDC 2019 was the ability to easily livestream your gameplay to YouTube Gaming and bring lucky watchers directly into your game. Now eight months after launch, Google is finally testing YouTube live streaming for Stadia alongside exclusive “Crowd Play” features.

YouTube Music arrives on Android TV’s YouTube app alongside wider HDR support

Ben Schoon Jul 24 2020 - 6:16 am PT

Android TV’s YouTube app is getting a couple of welcome updates. Thanks to a server-side change, YouTube Music has arrived on Android TV through the bigger YouTube app — Yep, it’s super weird.

YouTube

[Update: 1080p back on Wi-Fi] YouTube for Android is now restricting video streaming to 480p in India

Damien Wilde Jul 16 2020 - 1:49 am PT

YouTube for Android has now lowered the maximum streaming quality for content in India to just 480p as the country has now gone into full lockdown.

YouTube

YouTube will turn on mid-roll ads for all eligible videos this month, lowers time limit

Ben Schoon Jul 10 2020 - 7:08 am PT

Ads on YouTube pay the creators of videos, and for the most part, they’re found only at the beginning of a video. In longer videos, though, ads can be placed in the middle of the video too, and now, YouTube is lowering the time requirement on these mid-roll ads.

Ninja streams Fortnite on YouTube w/ millions of viewers following Microsoft Mixer shutdown

Ben Schoon Jul 9 2020 - 12:43 pm PT

In the world of game streaming, there’s really no bigger name than Ninja. The Fortnite streamer has a huge fanbase, but following the shutdown of Microsoft’s Mixer platform, Ninja has started streaming live on YouTube and attracted a huge crowd to his first stream.

Google Fit adds curated YouTube playlists about exercising at home

Abner Li Jul 9 2020 - 9:00 am PT

For many, exercise has been one area particularly affected by COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing requirements. Google Fit wants to help ease that by integrating YouTube playlists on staying healthy indoors.

[Update: Live] YouTube for Android and iOS rolling out bedtime reminders

Abner Li Jul 1 2020 - 10:59 am PT

In 2018, YouTube added a number of Digital Wellbeing features to help manage people’s use of the video service. The YouTube mobile apps are now adding bedtime reminder notifications.

[Update: More details] YouTube Studio adds Smart Replies so you can quickly respond to video comments

Damien Wilde Jul 1 2020 - 6:28 am PT

If you have any experience uploading or running a YouTube channel, you’ll be pleased to hear that Smart Replies are now available within YouTube Studio for quickly responding to video commenters and fans.

YouTube

YouTube bans several major white supremacist channels for hate speech

Ben Schoon Jun 29 2020 - 1:53 pm PT

In the midst of ongoing protests regarding the “Black Lives Matter” movement, YouTube is taking the ax to several prominent white supremacist channels that have long been on the platform.

YouTube Go reaches 500 million download milestone

Damien Wilde Jun 27 2020 - 3:17 am PT

YouTube Go has now surpassed the 500 million downloads milestone over on the Google Play Store.

YouTube

YouTube tests feature that will let you upload and merge multiple 15-second clips

Damien Wilde Jun 25 2020 - 1:06 pm PT

YouTube is no stranger to adding new features and functions under the guise of “YouTube Experiments.” The latest set for testing is the ability to upload multiple 15-second clips and merge them into a single video.

Google defaults to auto-deleting Web & App Activity, YouTube, Location History for new users

Abner Li Jun 24 2020 - 9:00 am PT

Google last May introduced auto-delete controls where your history and activity information is removed after 3 or 18 months. The company today is making this the default behavior across key settings for new users.

Google making Incognito Mode a long press away across Android and iOS apps

Abner Li Jun 24 2020 - 8:59 am PT

In addition to new auto-delete defaults, Google is making it easier to control key privacy settings. Google Account controls will be directly available in Search, while Incognito Mode is becoming more ubiquitous.

YouTube Music migration appears to have broken YouTube’s sidebar for some users

Damien Wilde Jun 24 2020 - 5:13 am PT

The wider release of the YouTube Music migration tool for Google Play Music hasn’t been without issues but you can now add YouTube sidebar problems to the growing list.

[Update: Netflix] YouTube won’t be home to ‘Cobra Kai’ Season 3

Abner Li Jun 22 2020 - 9:21 am PT

Over the past few years, YouTube’s approach to original content has shifted away from scripted movies and TV shows to more Creator-driven content. As part of that, YouTube will reportedly not air Season 3 of Cobra Kai, and let it go to another network.

YouTube testing product storefronts underneath shopping ads

Abner Li Jun 18 2020 - 8:26 am PT

Online shopping is booming in light of prolonged retail closures and Google’s video site is working to make videos “more shoppable.” YouTube is now testing a list of products underneath a playing shopping ad.

YouTube

Simple trick discovered to remove ads from sites like YouTube and more

Kyle Bradshaw Jun 11 2020 - 1:24 pm PT

A web developer has spotted and shared an interesting trick that can remove many ads from sites like YouTube and bypass paywalls for publications.

[Update: Watch now] YouTube hosts ‘virtual graduation’ with Obama, Pichai, & more

Abner Li Jun 7 2020 - 11:59 am PT

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many day-to-day and special activities have moved online. Graduation events are the latest, with YouTube hosting one next month that features many top commencement speakers.