Google’s YouTube Ads Upgraded With Location Extensions and Store Visits Measurement

Google AdWords has upgraded YouTube ads with location extensions and the ability to measure in-store visits.

According to eMarketer a whopping 90% of global sales will happen in a physical store this year, making store visits measurement all the more pertinent for the upcoming holiday season.

As you may know, both location extensions and store visits measurement have been available for search ads since 2014. This marks the first time any kind of extension has been available for YouTube ads.

YouTube’s location extensions will be available for TrueView in-stream and bumper ads. When people watch a video with a location extension, they will see the address, directions, and opening hours of the business being advertised.

Like AdWords search ads, store visits measurement will track how many people went into a store after viewing one of the business’s ads.

”Now, you can reach more nearby customers when they’re ready to buy and get a better understanding of your offline performance across channels.”

Get started using location extensions on YouTube ads by navigating to the ‘extensions’ tab in AdWords and enabling them. Google says to watch out for more local ad formats powered by location extensions in the coming weeks.

REF: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/googles-youtube-ads-upgraded-location-extensions-store-visits-measurement/219745/

Share YouTube Videos With iMessage Contacts Without Leaving the App

YouTube for iOS has been updated with iMessage support, which will let users watch and chat about videos without leaving the app.
After tapping on the share button in the YouTube app, there is now an option to share via iMessage.

Once iMessage is selected, choose the desired recipient and begin your shared video watching experience.
The video can be watched in partial view alongside a chat window, or the video can be enlarged to watch in full screen.
Alternatively, YouTube videos can also be shared from the iMessage app. Tap on the apps icon at the bottom of the screen, then select YouTube.

A list of recently watched videos will be automatically populated, which makes it easier to share something you just watched. If you prefer, you can also search for the name of the video you want to share.
YouTube’s iMessage app will give users the opportunity to preview a video before sharing, so you can make sure you don’t send the wrong one accidentally.
After the video has been shared it can be watched directly within the iMessage app.
Usually bitter rivals, it’s interesting to see Apple and Google working together on something that helps to enhance the use of each other’s services. Will we see more of this in the future?

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/share-youtube-videos-imessage-contacts-without-leaving-app/217215/

YouTube Changes Rules Regarding Videos With External Links

YouTube is adding restrictions on which accounts are able to add external links at the end of their videos.

External links are added to videos in the form of end cards, and now there are requirements that every account needs to meet in order to be able to use end cards.

Here are the new requirements for using end cards:

You must join the YouTube Partner Program

Your channel must have 10,000 total public views or more

These requirements are being put in place to prevent abuse of end cards. By having to join the YouTube Partner Program, the company will be able to individually evaluate every account before granting them approval.

Adding an end card to a video, which is a screen that directs the viewer toward clicking a link, is an effective way to drive traffic to a website.

YouTubers tend to use end cards to point viewers towards things like crowd funding campaigns, Patreon, and merchandise stores.

End cards can be used for just about anything though. You can direct viewers to your website, a landing page, a product page, or anything else that will help you reach your marketing goals.

The next time you go to add an end card to one of your videos, you may see a notice saying “you’ll need to enable your channel for monetization.”

All that means is you need to join the YouTube Partner Program. It doesn’t mean you need to monetize your channel with ads. You can continue to use end cards without any other form of monetization

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/youtube-changes-rules-regarding-videos-external-links/216907/

YouTube Users on iOS Can Now Live Stream Their Screens

Google has updated its YouTube app for iOS with the ability to live stream iPhone or iPad screens.YouTube utilizes Apple’s ReplayKit API to allow for live streaming of a user’s screen.Only verified YouTube users with no live streaming restrictions will be able to take advantage of this feature.While live streaming content on their screen, YouTube users can also use the device’s microphone and front-facing camera to add their own commentary. 

Some potential uses for this new feature could include:

Live streaming mobile games, similar to how PC gamers stream on Twitch.

Demonstrating apps.

Giving a demo of the operating system, such as the new features in iOS 11.

Giving a slideshow presentation with apps like Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple’s Keynote.

Showing off artistic abilities in real time with apps for drawing, making music, or editing photos.

YouTube boasts ultra-low latency, so there is virtually no delay between what a user is doing on their screen and what viewers see.

If required, moderators can now be appointed to manage the chat room during a live stream. Alternatively, all comments can be withheld until approved by a moderator.These features are available now to all accounts with the ability to live stream.

Ref: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/youtube-users-ios-can-now-live-stream-screens/213734/

Google’s YouTube Rolling Out New Features and a New Look

YouTube is undergoing a series of changes on mobile and desktop, the most noticeable of which is a new look complete with a new logo.

New Features

YouTube is working on bringing new gestures to its interface. It’s currently experimenting with a feature that will let you swipe to jump to the next video, or go back to the previous one.A desktop feature is finally coming to mobile. Users can now speed up or slow down video playback.While viewing a video in full screen mode, there is a new feature which displays a row of suggested videos to watch next.

New Design

Navigation tabs have been moved to the bottom of the screen on mobile so they’re closer to users’ thumbs.YouTube’s video player will change shape and adapt to the aspect ratio of the video being watched. Yes, that means vertical videos with no pillar boxing! Material design has been applied to the desktop version of YouTube, with the option to change from a light theme to a dark theme.

Last but not least, YouTube has a brand new logo and icon. The company says it has been designed to work better across a variety of devices.