YouTube "Like" Button Is Gone

by 13 replies
16
I noticed that the YouTube thumbs-up/like button is being replaced with the "Google +" It's probably a test, but definitely shows how hard Google is forcing people to use Google Plus.

Here's an article I found where others are seeing the same thing:
YouTube "Like" Button To Be Replaced by Google Plus' +1 Share Button?BLASTmedia

Some people are reporting that it's at the end of the video. This is annoying, but it has a few benefits:

  • People will watch your entire video before they like/dislike it
  • Less chance of people maliciously disliking your videos
  • Greater social signals, increasing the chances of your video ranking
I personally don't like that they removed the like button, and hope that people complain enough that Google re-includes it. But when one door closes, another one always opens, so this could be a good thing.

[UPDATE]

Apparently, this is affecting 1% of Youtube users and they say it is not a permanent change: http://thenextweb.com/google/2012/03...but-it-should/

Here's another article about it: http://thenextweb.com/google/2012/03...but-it-should/

Thoughts?

Raza
#search engine optimization #button #youtube
  • This is not a good development. Wish there was some competition for Google so that they could not rule Internet in an autocratic way.
  • Google will be hearing from my lawyer.
  • As for me, the "Like" button is still intact. This could definitely be a disadvantage for us though when it goes through. We may end up seeing a lot more YouTube videos ranking in the top ten. I can also imagine a lot of fraud taking place where people will be paid to +1 people's videos just so they'll show up.
    • [1] reply
    • That's no different from people paying others to 'Like' their videos or buying views to increase their popularity.

      I personally think it's a good development, especially the fact that videos need to be watched all of the way through to be rated.
      • [1] reply
  • First the internet, then the world. Sooner or later, Google will control everything. Perhaps someone (else) will come up with a better mousetrap.

    LifeIsGood ~ It's About To Get Even Better!
  • Like and Fshare is still there for me
    • [1] reply
    • Google is trying to kill two birds with one stone.
      Spam and shmoozing.

      People have this inane yearning for a "like," leading
      to all sorts of crapola.

      Savvy youtube users have know that copying the
      tags and description of the top rated videos will
      shmooze the results to show your video on the most
      irrelevant searches.

      So they are turning to social. And since google+ is their
      baby, hey, why not?

      They are going social because they can no longer rely
      on pure results. So, they are putting the people in charge.
      (power to the people!) That is, they will see how many times
      videos are actually watched all the way through, which vidoes
      get passed around, which videos get the most use from
      keyword searches, etc. Forgive me for not being able to
      put it better, but google has boatloads of engineers just
      chomping at the bit to revamp how a video gets shown
      in results.

      They are trying to think about real people searching for videos.
      Go figure. They are NOT thinking about people who have used
      and abused youtube for ages.

      I myself have just scratched the surface of youtube and
      monetization.

      I say good riddance to anything that gums up the works
      of what youtube was supposed to be.

      But then, that's what search results are supposed to be as well...
      Now you know the rest of the story.

      However, the like button is still there for my videos at the moment.

      Google owns youtube. They can do whatever they want to with it. Owning
      and operating youtube is hardly taking over the world. Use it or don't
      use it. The choice is yours. But if you choose to use it, play by their
      rules. Or, buy lots of stock and vote.

      Paul
  • I thought Youtube are doing a serious "business"... Disagree with this improvement...
  • Never noticed that it ever changed. Well it looks like it's back now!
  • It's back to like/dislike, but I'm sure it won't be long until it's +1.
  • Definitely have not embraced Google +1, don't want to, and don't plan to. Part of it is the simple fact that I'm old-fashioned and resistant to change. But it's sad that most would, I'm sure, much rather share videos they watch on Youtube via Facebook (a "Share" or FB "Like" button) but since G owns Youtube I can see why they're trying to push +1.
  • Just wait until Facebook partners with Microsoft and integrates Bing.

    Google would go into full-blown panic mode.
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    YouTube "Like" Button Is Gone

    I noticed that the YouTube thumbs-up/like button is being replaced with the "Google +" It's probably a test, but definitely shows how hard Google is forcing people to use Google Plus. Here's an article I found where others are seeing the same thing: