Online Video Rules Other Social Media Platforms in the US

Traditional broadcasting in the US has some serious competition from online video, as per a recent data released by the Global Web Index. With more than 70% of US online users watching video clips on the Web, it is now the fastest growing media platform in history, ahead of other popular social media activities like blogging and social networking. The data, which is compiled by Lightspeed Research for social media research consultancy Trendstream, has been released from the Global Web Index ahead of the full report, which includes 16 countries in total.

The findings of the research are very interesting and provide useful insights as to how social media, and especially online video, is transforming the lives of US Web users.

10 Popular Social Media Tools Owned By Google

We all know that Google leads the search engine market since a very long time. It’s market share is unmatched and is way beyond other search engine players’ like Yahoo, MSN, Ask.com, etc. However, not many of us know that Google is also in a very strong position in the social media world.  It has various social media tools and applications that are used by millions all over the world today.

Following is a comprehensive list of all the popular social media tools owned by Google:

YouTube and Google Maps Work on Home, an Environment-Based Film

As we witness growing concerns for our planet due to the cruel onslaught of human on the environment, global search engine leader Google has decided to take the initiative and spread awareness about its dangerous consequences. The search company is all set to share a new environmental film project between YouTube and Google Maps, two of the most renowned products of Google. The aim is to make people understand the state of our planet by airing a full-length film ‘Home’ on its video-sharing site YouTube.

The exclusive 90 minute film ‘Home’ by Luc Besson and Yann-Arthus Betrand will be available in four different languages – English, French, German and Spanish beginning June 5, the World Environment Day.

YouTube Gets Disconnected in China

Social media is all about user-generated information and knowledge sharing. But sometimes giving leeway to the users can create problems for your site. One such example is of YouTube, which has been banned in China over protests in Tibet. The Google-owned video sharing site is identifying a way out of this problem, not knowing the exact cause of the ban.

China, which recorded 298 million Internet users at the end of last year, had blocked YouTube temporarily last March as well, following the biggest Tibetan protests in 20 years. It is known that the site had also been blocked in few other nations like Indonesia, Thailand and Turkey over certain controversial issues.

Sony Embraces Social Media

Japanese firm Sony, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics has embraced social media to market its latest innovation – the pocket style PC. With Sony Vaio P, Sony’s expansion into the relatively young notebook computer market is greatly being noticed across international boundaries already.

As part of its marketing initiative, Sony is using social media applications to spread awareness about its latest product for the global audience. It has adopted an integrated marketing approach, using traditional media as well as the contemporary social media to publicize its brand.

YouTube Community Members Get License to Remove Individual Video Comments

In a move to empower its community members to handle inappropriate situations, video sharing major YouTube has announced a new feature of allowing members delete their comments already made on videos posted by other users.

The announcement, which first came on YouTube’s official blog, explained that the new feature is the outcome of several user requests. The users are now hopeful that the company’s decision will help improve any unpleasant issue like harassment and bullying, and also enabling users have control over spelling errors and/or comments that may cause problems later.

Social Media – A Big Hit with the Entertainment Industry in 2008

Year 2008 brought gloomy days for businesses across the world with the great recession snatching away several jobs from people and shutting down operations of huge number of companies. One of the worst hit sectors was the financial sector, where even the topmost giants failed to stand tall on their feet. Companies saw tremendous cuts in traditional advertising expenses and diverting huge chunk into social media – the new form of marketing that has seen a paradigm shift in the way brands are promoted today. Certainly, one of the biggest buyers of the social media space has been the entertainment industry, which continued to swim against the mighty tides through creative and interactive approaches.

Israel Communicates Its Message Through Social Media

The on-going Gaza conflict has caught media attention all over the world and Israel has decided to take the action over Web as well, using Twitter and YouTube channel to cover the attacks.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), YouTube has helped Israel to communicate to the world regarding the attacks, with exclusive footage covering IDF’s operation in Gaza. The idea is to spread its message to as many people as possible.

Christmas 2008 Brings Rejoice to Facebook

Social Networks were very busy during this year’s Christmas, especially the leading networking portal Facebook. The online giant witnessed a record-breaking traffic ever in the United Kingdom this year on the very special occasion of Christmas.

According to online statistics firm HitWise, Facebook kept the UK audience busy as users accessing Facebook went up by an astonishing 69 percent as compared to Christmas 2007. Friends and families flocked over the site to wish their dear ones on this big day, thereby creating history in the books of Facebook.

YouTube Gets Stricter With Profane Content Users

Video sharing major YouTube has announced a stringent step towards cleaning up its content. Members who upload ‘sexually suggestive’ videos would now be dealt with more severity.

YouTube, on its blog, stated that it would enforce a stricter standard for mature content and tighten the standard for what is regarded as sexually suggestive. Already, it has banned many users for uploading pornographic videos on the site.