YouTube struggles with inappropriate content, demonetizes videos of minors
An issue has arisen on YouTube with reports of child exploitation happening in the comment sections of videos featuring children. In response, YouTube has demonetized even innocent videos featuring children, leading content creators to worry that their incomes are at risk because of commenters.
YouTube changes its strikes system, offers softer first-offense penalty
YouTube recently announced changes to its strikes system policy. The changes will be effective February 25 and involve improvements to content violation notifications, more consistent penalties, an expansion of policy resources, and a softer penalty for first offenses.
YouTube beats Apple, Netflix as the most trusted brand by millennials
A study done by the firm Mblm finds that YouTube is now the most trusted brands amongst millennials for the first time. The popular video sharing website climbed up in the annual study, moving up from third place in 2018 and coming ahead of both Apple and Netflix in final 2019 rankings.
YouTube boss admits even her own kids gave the ‘Rewind’ video a thumbs down
YouTube's annual "Rewind" video is supposed to be a celebration of “the videos, people, music, and moments” that define the given year, but last year's ended up becoming the most disliked video on the service. And now YouTube's CEO has admitted that even her own kids thought it was pretty darn awful.
YouTube ‘Explore’ tab aims to jazz up video recommendations
YouTube is expanding testing of an Instagram-style "Explore" tab that aims to surface a broader range of interesting content. An initial trial launched last year, but following some improvements, it's now being tested with more users prior to a full rollout possibly some time this year.
Put your thumbs down: YouTube may disable downvotes to curb mob spamming
YouTube's development team could possibly be considering methods for disabling the downvote button to help eliminate mob spamming on the platform. The issue, which targets specific content creators and leaves videos with the likelihood of not being recommended, was addressed in a web series.
YouTube limiting recommendations of conspiracy theory videos
YouTube has had a problem for some time with conspiracy theories and other misinformation being spread over its platform. Now it has announced plans to reduce recommendations of content that promotes misinformation like phony cures, flat Earth theories, and false claims about events like 9/11.
Goodbye, Machinima: YouTube gaming channel pulls the plug after 13 years
Machinima, a YouTube gaming channel that was launched in 2006, has suddenly shut down, with all of its videos set to private. There was no public announcement regarding the move by Otter Media, so the #RIPMachinima hashtag is now making the rounds in social media to reminisce about the channel's content.
For Netflix, ‘Fortnite’ on YouTube is a bigger threat than HBO
In a letter to shareholders, Netflix explained that it views the video game Fortnite as bigger competition than HBO, with YouTube videos of the game drawing viewers away from the streaming platform. During periods when YouTube is offline, Netflix experiences a spike in viewership.
YouTube to crack down on dangerous stunts like the ‘Bird Box’ challenge
YouTube already bans content showing dangerous activities, but new rules published by the site on Tuesday go into greater detail regarding potentially harmful challenges and pranks. The company said it's giving creators two months to review and clean up their content, after which they could face penalties.
A quick swipe will soon let you keep bingeing YouTube on mobile devices
The YouTube mobile app has a new faster way to browse -- by swipe. Once the update rolls out, users can swipe to go to the next (or previous) video in the recommended list, even while viewing in full screen. The update, YouTube says, was in development for two years, including beta testing.
PewDiePie supporters hack printers, hope to boost his subscription numbers
PewDiePie supporters claimed to have hacked thousands of printers worldwide to print messages to ask people to subscribe to the popular YouTube account in an attempt to have it remain the YouTube account with the most subscribers. These same hackers also wish to warn others about having unsecured devices.
Google Chromecast returns to Amazon just in time for the holiday shopping crunch
It's been a chilly few years between Google and Amazon, with each company taking increasingly nasty shots at the other. But things may be improving. Just in time for the holiday shopping crunch, you can now buy two versions of Google's Chromecast on Amazon, something that hasn't be possible since 2015.
‘YouTube Rewind 2018’ is about to become its most disliked video ever
YouTube is about to achieve a record it really doesn't want — that of "most-disliked video." Yes, its annual recap of featuring popular YouTubers has gone down really badly this year. The record currently belongs to Justin Bieber, whose 2010 hit, "Baby," has so far received 9.7 million dislikes.
What do yodeling and Kylie Jenner have in common? YouTube’s top 2018 videos
In a true nod to the variety found on YouTube, the platform's top 10 list of videos from 2018 range from celebrities to sports, from perfectly tossing a picture frame on the wall to a kid yodeling in aisle 12 at Walmart. Here are YouTube's most trending videos from 2018, along with trends in live video.
The highest-paid YouTuber is currently a 7-year-old kid
He's only 7 years old and he's already earning $22 million a year on YouTube. OK, his parents set up the channel, but little Ryan is the star of the show, with his toys- and games-based channel followed by 17 million fans around the world. And the channel has only been active for three years.
Digital Trends Live: YouTube Premium and drones that fly forever
While the future of YouTube Premium may be on shaky ground, we sat down with two guests with high hopes. Laura Major of CyPhy discussed the many benefits of tethered drones, and Ben Lee of Rootstrap talked about maintaining a competitive edge in the digital world.
Like them or not, YouTube Stories just expanded to more channels
YouTube Stories are exiting testing. Beginning today, November 29, the feature will be available to channels with more than 10,000 subscribers. The launch comes with a comment tool and updates based on feedback. YouTube Stories can be recorded from the YouTube app and will stick around for seven days.
YouTube Premium on the rocks? Original series will be ad-supported in 2020
In what will be seen by many as an acknowledgment that it can't compete with Netflix and Amazon Video, YouTube announced that its original programming will soon be available as ad-supported streaming for all of its 2 billion users. Could this be the end for YouTube's Premium subscription service?
YouTube tries bundling ads together for a better viewing experience
In a bid to improve the viewing experience for its 1.8 billion users around the world, YouTube is testing a system that bundles ads together to reduce the number of interruptions during the main video. The company says that the new method reduces the number of interruptions during the main video by up to 40 percent.
Surface Pro 6 passes YouTuber’s bend tests, won’t snap in half like iPad Pro
Apple's new iPad Pro recently fell under scrutiny for failing bending tests, but Microsoft's newest 2-in-1 just might be more durable. In his testing, popular YouTuber Zack Nelson, better known as JerryRigEverything, finds that the Surface Pro 6 can withstand most stress tests.
‘Superwoman’ YouTuber Lilly Singh taking a break for her mental health
Claiming to be "mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted," popular YouTuber Lilly Singh told her millions of fans that she's taking a break from making videos in order to recuperate. Singh was listed as the 10th-highest-paid YouTube star in 2017, when she reportedly earned around $10 million.
Major video watcher? YouTube is now available on Nintendo Switch
After well over a year, the Nintendo Switch has finally received a free YouTube app. The app's functionality is similar to other devices such as Roku, but with touch support for the Switch's screen. Nintendo Switch also has a Hulu app, but has yet to receive Amazon Video or Netflix.
The vast majority of YouTube users hit the site for how-to videos
YouTube is bursting with useful guides on how to do stuff, and a recent study has revealed that more users than ever are using it as a learning resource. Building on its success, YouTube says it plans to spend $20 million on educational content through deals with independent creators and professional producers.
Man in Japan drives sports car ‘faster than a bullet train’ in YouTube stunt
A motorist in Japan is in serious trouble with the law after he drove his Nissan GT-R sports car at a speed that would've seen it overtake some of the nation's famously fast bullet trains. The unnamed driver recorded the stunt and put it on YouTube because he "wanted everyone to watch it."
YouTube on Nintendo Switch may finally become reality on November 8
The official Nintendo website apparently revealed that YouTube on the Nintendo Switch will arrive on November 8, ahead of rival streaming service Netflix. The release date was leaked in the same manner as the final title of the upcoming Yoshi game for the hybrid console, Yoshi's Crafted World.
Google Chrome 70 is finally getting a picture-in-picture mode
A picture-in-picture mode is finally coming to Google Chrome 70 on Mac, Linux, and Windows by default. The feature no longer requires the use of a flag to get enabled. It also not only applies to YouTube but any other website where developers have chosen to implement it.
YouTube is back after crashing for users around the world
It's rare to see YouTube suffer serious issues, but the site went down around the world for a period of time on October 16. It's back now, and we can confirm it's loading normally on desktop and mobile. Naturally, fans of the site went to Twitter to complain about YouTube going dark.
The best YouTube channels for sports lovers
YouTube isn't just for vlogs and music videos. If you're a sports fan in need of something to watch, there are a number of great channels to keep an eye on, provided you know where to look. Here, we've picked the best sports channels on YouTube, whether you're looking for highlights, analysis, or laughs.
Musicbed gives YouTube creators a legal soundtrack option
YouTube flags videos that use copyrighted music in them -- so music licensing Musicbed platform is launching a new subscription tool and a way to tell YouTube's bots to back off. Connecting the subscription to a YouTube account will automatically clear flags for copyrighted music.
YouTube has a new destination for gamers as it plans to shutter gaming app
YouTube is retiring its gaming app early next year to focus on developing a brand new gaming destination on its main site. YouTube Gaming for iOS and Android launched in 2015 to take on video-gaming platform Twitch, but an apparent lack of interest in the app means support for it will end in March 2019.
Yesterday’s viral celebrities, where are they now?
Viral videos are a thing we have come to know and love, but whatever happened to the first viral video stars? From a man who really loves Britney Spears to a young girl who really liked Fridays, we take a look at 10 viral videos from the past and what those stars are up to today.
How to turn on YouTube’s Dark Theme for Android and iOS
In March, YouTube announced it was releasing Dark Theme for mobile -- starting with iOS devices. The company appears to now be rolling out the feature for Android devices. YouTube developed Dark Theme to cut down on glare and allow users to take in the true colors of the videos they're watching.
With net neutrality gone, carriers throttle YouTube, Netflix, other streamers
New research suggests that without net neutrality protection, mobile carriers are discriminating against internet services that consume the most data. In particular, video-streaming services like Netflix are being singled out for throttling, and YouTube may the the largest target.