Annotations, Flagged Videos, and Embedding Videos!

[BorgKaraoke]

I will admit, this feature is cool :)

*****

-Larry

[MattHawes]

I'm going to try and use it sparingly, so as to not annoy people, but it is fun! Thanks, Larry!

-- Matt

[mikma]

mikma was here

[MattHawes]

Hi Mikma! Yayy!!

-- Matt

[anmoose]

That's what it is! Half of your vocabulary was in the hair that got cut off!

The annotations do look to be useful (until the monkeys figure out how to screw them up), but one thing I'd wondered about was the clickable links and the potential for abuse and dangers. You say it only allows links from within YT? That's good to know!

Embedding CAN cause your vids to turn up on sites where you'd rather they weren't. Not often, but it's good to be able to disable it if needed.

Moosie

[MattHawes]

Thanks, Moosie! Yep, the clickable links can only go to YouTube videos and pages.

-- Matt

[komikero]

Hello Matt! I allow embedding of my videos because I have other sites elsewhere where I need to embed my videos. But I think I can understand the hesitation by others because I've seen other "video" sites which contain nothing but embedded You Tube videos, and they make money off those videos through advertising on their site.

[MattHawes]

I can see that point. Of course, YouTube makes money off of non-partners, regardless of the views. Maybe not a lot of money, but some. So, I don't worry about a few other sites doing the same, as long as the credit is given to me for my work.

-- Matt

[komikero]

I think it's allright here on You Tube because that's part of the deal when I signed up. What gets my craw are people who try to make money off my videos and I don't even know about it. Many of these videos sites are really just designed to make money off things that other people worked on without them knowing. I think a way to get around this is to have a feature where we can allow which sites to embed our videos. People who want to embed them could have the option to ask us first.

[slorge]

funny, I was just going to annotate my latest vlog and lo and behold...the feature is missing from my "my videos" page. It was there last night! Youtube never messes anything up!

[slorge]

I like the new annotations, too. You can do "pop up video" messages like on DVD's and if you refer to an earlier vlog, just make an annotation with a link. Great feature!

I agree about the "mature" labeling, too.

I have no idea why someone wouldn't allow embedding. As a yt partner, embedded vids get counted towards monetization, too. I feel honored when someone blogs one of my videos. The more exposure the better!

[MattHawes]

That's how I look at it. Thanks, Slorge!

-- Matt

[RedneckCasanova]

I think some people, especially if their videos are already monetized on YT might not want the exposure elsewhere, or may even be contractually prohibited from doing so. As far as being able to label our own videos that's a great idea and not just for kiddies...some people who ARE over 18 might want to avoid videos with suggestive themes or content or off-color language. I'm not sure what they DO watch on YT...but it'd be a good option to have. That and more video categories! Good vlog!

[MattHawes]

Thanks! About the possibility of YT prohibiting partners from embedding videos: I don't think YT would do that because it still generates publicity for the site. Also, why allow the function if the partners can't use it?

-- Matt

[RedneckCasanova]

Very good point! 

Thanks Matt

Matt

[dorotwhy]

Just up you alley, Matt! Comic strip balloons! YAY! Haircut under that hat?? UNVEIL!

[MattHawes]

I unveiled it a couple of vlogs back. It was getting too hot to keep it long. Thanks, Dorothy!

-- Matt

[dorotwhy]

Sorry Matt I must have missed it. I've had limited computer access time. Finals week etc.

[OhCurt]

I agree, YT could ONLY benefit from letting us set our own vids to 18+. Hopefully they realize this quickly.

So does the annotation thing work on the embedded players on other sites??

Re: your embed question...

I've noticed that Sony/BMG turns off embedding too, which struck me odd at first. But then I noticed one of my vids embedded on another site had ads around it. So perhaps one of the reasons is to prevent other sites from making cash off their vids?

[MattHawes]

That makes sense!

About annotations working on embedded players: Sadly, no, it does not work. When I use such annotations in the future, I won't refer to them in the video so that it won't confuse people on other sites where I (or someone else) might embed the video.

Thanks, Curt! Yayy!!

-- Matt

[SoChrisAsh]

I think you will find this annotations thing quite helpful

thanks for the mention :P

[MattHawes]

No problem! Thanks, Chris!

-- Matt

[Haggiman]

I agree about the adult content issue. It shouldn't be too difficult for Youtube to have a similar feature to Live Video. Maybe they'll get round to it.

I often disable embedding just to keep some control over my video. It's because I'm a paranoid control freak. ;) Actually I think I just do it on auto now, having restricted some of my more personal vlogs. I might rethink .. if I remember.

Videos on my music channel can be embedded - not that they exactly set the internet on fire.

Paul

[MattHawes]

For me, it's kind of fun sometimes to see where my videos pop up. Thanks, Paul!

-- Matt

[noahsark1962]

I can understand why some don't allow embedding,but if someone wants one of your videos there are other ways of getting it.I've seen all the garbage with E.D.My son has made money off of his videos.

[MattHawes]

Thanks for the comment!

-- Matt

[anakin1814]

These annotations might be a cool thing. I do my Lost reviews where I ofter talk about other videos...it would be cool to have those links pop up...almost like an interactive director's commentary. I saw the feature yesterday and wondered who would be able to do it. And what a surprise, it's not only partners who can do it!

[MattHawes]

That would be a good use of the annotations, Gary. Kinda like footnotes.

-- Matt

[YTsHaDoWkNiGhT]

Ha, I beat you to it Matt! Great new feature which I started using yesterday. You can see annotations on my aquarium video. YouTube should allow the user who uploads videos the option to rate it PG or not. Great idea! :D

[MattHawes]

I missed your video somehow, Norman! I will go check it out now. Thanks!

-- Matt

[iggy35]

I cant see the point of the red triangles myself.

I rarely sit there and think,..I really feel like watching a video with ads.

[MattHawes]

Yeah, I hate ads, too. Thanks, Iggy!

-- Matt

[siggy75]

The annotations are fun but I think after a while they're going to get annoying. The red triangle thing annoys me, creating a bigger divide between partners and non-partners.

[MattHawes]

I don't plan to go crazy with annotations, but I think it could help get people to check out some of my other videos (I hope).

Thanks! -- Matt