youtube updates auto generated thumbnails

YouTube Updates: Controversial Auto-Generated Thumbnails, Picture-in-Picture Now Free

  • June 29, 2018·
  • 5316  Views·

YouTube is making efforts to improve the platform’s interface by adding new features. However, while the PiP (Picture-in-picture) will certainly make YouTube users happy, an auto-generated thumbnail experiment might not as it is causing controversy. Read on to find out more about the latest YouTube updates.

YouTube updates: Auto-generated thumbnails experiment

Over the next couple of weeks, YouTube will be running an experiment with a new feature that only 0.3% of YouTube users can see. Instead of displaying the custom thumbnail uploaded by the channel, YouTube will show an auto-generated thumbnail.

Thumbnails are a big part of what drives viewership on YouTube. YouTube creators have so far enjoyed the freedom of creating their own custom thumbnail that allows them to pick one particular image to represent the content of the entire video. It looks like this experiment by YouTube is highly motivated by the infamous tradition of “clickbait,” a common bad strategy for getting views when there are better view strategies available.

There are a lot of clickbait scams that display a thumbnail that has nothing to do with the content of the video, thus fooling people into clicking on the video. It looks like YouTube is sick of that, and they’re trying to put an end to it by considering the auto-generated thumbnails. Here’s what YouTube said regarding this experiment;

“Over the next few weeks, a small group of viewers (0.3% of those on YouTube site-wide) will see the default, auto-generated thumbnail for all videos instead of the custom thumbnail. For creators, this is the second thumbnail that’s suggested when you upload your video. Note: this will not affect the content of the videos.”

YouTube states that there are no plans to remove the ability to add custom thumbnails (yet) and that this experiment only aims to improve auto-generated thumbnails.

Even though only 0.03% of all users will actually be a part of the experiment, it still it is a fairly big number when you do the math. Considering that YouTube attracts approximately 1.8 billion active users, the auto-generated thumbnails may actually be seen by more than 5 million people.

YouTube updates: Rolling out Picture in Picture

This update will in no doubt be gladly accepted by the YouTube community. For a long time, YouTube users have been waiting for the opportunity to watch YouTube videos while using other apps. This option was available for paid YouTube premium and YouTube Red subscribers, it looks like YouTube is rolling out the PiP support to non-paying Android users in the US.

I don’t think it’s that serious, Jeyska, but you do you…

If you’re not familiar with the feature, here’s how it works:

  • Picture-in-picture shrinks the video into a small player that users can move around their home screen and position over other apps. This feature allows you to watch YouTube videos while using other apps on your mobile device.
  • In order to start the PiP playback while a video is playing, tap the Android home button. The video will then be shrunk into a PiP window, which can be dragged to different parts of the screen.

Keep in mind that this update is available for Android users in the US. Additionally, music content is unavailable for PiP playback without a YouTube Premium subscription.

Mixed feelings about YouTube’s latest updates

Even though the PiP update is deemed as positive, the auto-generated thumbnails experiment is causing a lot of arguments. YouTube users, especially hard-working creators, have had separate opinions regarding this experiment; with many complaining about the auto-generated thumbnails.

YouTube may not be making any definite moves regarding the thumbnail situation soon, but creators are certainly fuming because they put a lot of effort into their custom thumbnails. YouTube creators can be calm, for now, because YouTube has repeatedly said that the custom thumbnails option will not be removed and that this experiment is for research purposes only.

make money on youtube

New Ways To Make Money On YouTube Announced: Channel Memberships, Merchandise, And Premieres

  • June 22, 2018·
  • 6261  Views·

YouTube is announcing fresh ways to monetize and get revenue on the platform. After the successful launch of the Super Chat feature last year, YouTube decided to focus on providing more ways for its valuable creators to make money on YouTube.

New monetization on YouTube: Channel membership

This is a new feature that will be welcomed by creators. YouTube is rolling out a new channel membership feature that will be available for every eligible account with over 100,000 subscribers;

“With Channel Memberships, viewers pay a monthly recurring fee of $4.99 to get unique badges, new emoji, Members-only posts in the Community tab, and access to unique custom perks offered by creators, such as exclusive live-streams, extra videos, or shout-outs.”

According to YouTube, creators have already been experimenting with this update, and the results are positive. The traveling duo Simon and Martina have been using the Channel Memberships option to create a miniseries exclusively for their members.

make money on yotube channel membership buttonChannels with this program will be able to earn revenue when their viewers purchase public badges, emoji, and access the creator perks offered by the channel via monthly recurring payments. Channels without it, because they don’t have 100,000 subscribers, have their work cut out for them. Start reading about ways to get more subscribers now to meet the 100,000 goal!

Channel Memberships instead of sponsorships

If you already had the “Sponsorships” feature on your YouTube profile, then this is the same thing. YouTube confirmed that this is actually the same feature and that only the name will be changing in the upcoming weeks.

make money on youtube channel membershipsAccording to YouTube, the “Sponsor” symbol, will soon be replaced with Channel Memberships;

“A select group of creators have been using channel memberships under the name sponsorships. We want more creators to continue to find different ways to earn money from sources other than ads. We believe that changing the name to memberships will make it more broadly appealing to both creators and viewers.”

YouTube announced that the name change was going to take place in late June or August 2018.

New monetization on YouTube: Merchandise

YouTube creators have been using YouTube to sell their merchandise for ages. Now, YouTube has revealed a more convenient way for creators to sell merchandise right from their channel.

From t-shirts to mugs, to posters; creators will have the chance to individually customize their merchandise. This update is already available for all eligible U.S.-based channels with over 10,000 subscribers, and YouTube plans to expand the tool to more creators around to globe soon.

If your channel doesn’t yet have 10,000 subscriber, spending a little bit on buying subscribers with well-reviewed sites can get you over that hump. You can start earning money faster as even small audiences can spend a bit if they’re dedicated.

New monetization on YouTube: Premieres

This update will vastly improve content uploading on YouTube. With “Premieres,” creators will have a new and better way to create content and upload it on the platform. Basically, with Premieres, creators will be able to debut pre-recorded videos as a live moment;

“When creators choose to release a premiere, we’ll automatically create a public landing page to build anticipation and hype up new content. When all fans show up to watch the premiere, they’ll be able to chat with each other (and with the creator!) in real time via live chat. It’s as if a creator’s entire community is one theater together watching their latest upload.”

The Premieres will also unlock new revenue streams. Creators will be able to use the Super Chat feature on traditional YouTube videos and also utilize the Channel Memberships (Sponsorships) perks that were previously only available on live videos.

This will be an excellent feature to use when you want to show an exciting new video to your fans and share the premiere moment together. Premieres have started rolling out to creators yesterday and will be available more broadly soon.

New ways to make money on YouTube

It looks like YouTube is taking its competition seriously. With Facebook and Instagram making efforts to compete with YouTube, it is up to YouTube to keep its status as the number one video-sharing platform. Their response couldn’t have been better:

  • Channel Memberships for ongoing funding.
  • Improved merchandise options for one-time purchases.
  • Premieres to make money with the debut of each video.

All of these updates will be gladly accepted on the platform and will improve the overall user experience. Creators have been looking for more ways to make money on YouTube, and now they’ve got them. A good move by YouTube, indeed.

youtube creative suite

YouTube Creative Suite: A New Tool For Marketers To Make Better YouTube Ads

  • June 21, 2018·
  • 3972  Views·

YouTube is releasing its new YouTube Creative Suite marketing tools. They say that these tools will help marketers deliver a more engaging ad experience for their audiences, and allow them to more easily accomplish their marketing goals.

YouTube Creative Suite video testing tools

The site announced the new suite in an official blog post on Wednesday. The YouTube Creative Suite is comprised of several tools that will focus on providing better video insights for brands. These insights, YouTube said, will help them improve their campaigns’ storytelling.

Video Experiments is the first of the new tools. It allows brands to test their Google Adwords video ads right on YouTube. The tool lets marketers measure the effect of content on metrics like awareness or purchase intent in real time, offering you real ways to get more views.

Video Experiments is intended as an alternative to using focus groups to measure the above metrics and lets you conduct your tests in a real ad environment. The service is set to roll out for beta testing later this month.

Video Creative Analytics

Meanwhile, Video Creative Analytics will help you keep track of the various elements of your video ads and build better reports on creative performance. It lets you include audience segmentation in your retention reports. This gives you a clearer picture of how your videos attract different audience groups.

YouTube will also introduce the ability to annotate sections of your videos, like logos or product shots, later this year. The feature will show the percentage of your audience who saw these elements. This helps you track the impact various video elements have on your campaign and refine them.

Improving video storytelling

Rounding up the YouTube Creative Suite are the Director Mix and Video Ad Sequencing tools. With Director Mix, you can break down a video ad into its components, such as video, text, and key message. You can then easily rearrange these elements into different video combinations based on the context or audience that you want to capture. The tool is currently in alpha development.

The Video Ad Sequencing tool, on the other hand, lets you string a set of YouTube ads together and create a coherent story in many different ways. The feature could also be used to share your product message through multiple pieces of video content. Video Ad Sequencing is also currently in alpha testing.

Using the YouTube Creative Suite tools

YouTube revealed that several major brands have already been using the individual tools in the YouTube Creative Suite to enhance their online advertising campaigns. 20th Century Fox, for instance, relied on Video Ad Sequencing to create story-driven promotional ads for The Greatest Showman, such as this one.

Meanwhile, Kellogg’s took advantage of Director Mix to create more personalized YouTube ads for its Rice Krispies Treats. The campaign resulted in a 4% increase in product sales.

These companies highlight the advantage that YouTuber Creative Suite offers. By using each tool, you can better dissect your YouTube video campaigns and see which elements work best. This will help you build better ads around these elements.

Creating YouTube ads

Check out what each tool in the YouTube Creative Suite has to offer as they become available. They will be rolling out slowly over the next few weeks. Start experimenting with them right away, and you will definitely find them handy when creating the perfect YouTube ads for your brand.

 

youtube music expands

YouTube Music Expands, Available in Canada, UK, and More!

  • June 19, 2018·
  • 4110  Views·

YouTube is expanding its YouTube Music streaming services into 12 more countries and offering more music content to subscribers. As YouTube Music expands, this will lead to more opportunities for musicians on the platform.
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youtube world cup highlights

The Best Places for YouTube World Cup Highlights: Watch Every GOOOOOOOOAL!!!

  • June 14, 2018·
  • 4843  Views·

Getting the latest updates on the 2018 World Cup is a lot easier now, thanks to the many YouTube channels that will be covering the event. Here are some of the highly recommended places to get your YouTube World Cup highlights.
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world cup youtube ads 2018

The Best World Cup YouTube Ads of 2018 Celebrate the World’s Game!

  • June 13, 2018·
  • 4663  Views·

With the 2018 FIFA World Cup kicking off in Russia on June 14, official World Cup brands have started releasing their ads for the event. Here are some of the best World Cup ads that will surely grab your attention this year, and get you excited for the world’s game as it’s played on the biggest stage.
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most viewed youtube videos

The 5 Most Viewed YouTube Videos: Watch Some Video Giants!

  • June 6, 2018·
  • 8886  Views·

People never tire of watching YouTube videos. That is proven day by day as videos on YouTube as new videos routinely cross the 1 million view mark in a single day. Although new niches are making ground on the platform, music videos are still the dominant force when it comes to viewership on YouTube. This article has collected the five most viewed YouTube videos so that you can watch them all right here, and also discusses their success on the platform.
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improve your youtube watch time

Killer Ways To Improve Your YouTube Watch Time & Grow your Channel!

  • June 1, 2018·
  • 5206  Views·

Watch time is one of the most important ranking factors to YouTube’s ranking algorithm. It is the ultimate indicator of content relevancy, and in recent years YouTube has given this particular ranking factor a primary role. Watch time directly impacts the growth and visibility of your YouTube channel. Read this right now to learn how to improve YouTube watch time on all your videos!
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youtube ads advice

How To Create Effective YouTube Ads for your Channel or Brand

  • May 28, 2018·
  • 4260  Views·

You can’t rely on social media sharing your YouTube videos as your sole means of promotion. Running a series of YouTube ads is one of the most effective ways to make sure your target audience finds your videos. Read on to find out how to effectively create YouTube ads and improve the performance of your videos.
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how to start a vlog using your blog

How to Start a Vlog Using your Blog for Inspiration

  • May 21, 2018·
  • 4341  Views·

Blogging is great. It allows writers to channel their inner voice and reach out to a targeted audience. However, with the rise of video in content marketing, many bloggers are looking for ways to repurpose their content and turn their blog posts into videos. Read on and find out how to use your blog post and start a vlog.
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