A report from the Wall Street Journal shows Google seems to prioritize YouTube videos over more popular versions from other rival platforms like Facebook videos.
The inquiry also suggested that the majority of YouTube content was 'significantly more prominent' than videos on other platforms, which shows that Google promotes its own.
For instance, a video showing basketball star Zion Williamson's pro debut was published by National Basketball Association in January. It went viral on Facebook with over one million views and 900 comments in March while a similar YouTube clip was less popular with about 182,000 views and 400 comments.
However, the search results for the said video will show the YouTube version in a higher position than its rival.
Similarly, 28 YouTube videos hosted by the food blog, Tasty, appear more prominent than those found on Facebook. However, one desert video, which was seen 5.4 million times on Facebook took the top spot as its YouTube counterpart had 89 times fewer views.
According to the Daily Mail, Journal sources said Google has tweaked its algorithms prioritizing YouTube videos, so they would show on the first page of search results. This aims to sway the audience to YouTube instead of its rivals. In return, YouTube will have greater advantages in dealing with advertisers and content providers who want more traffic for their videos.
Google spokesperson "confirmed" the findings
Google's PR head Lara Levin told the Journal that the tech giant's systems use numerous online signals to understand what "people find most relevant and helpful," although she did not comment on specific samples shown in the report.
Meanwhile, the publication noted that this unfair treatment may lead to antitrust complaints against Google, which has already been receiving criticisms for over two decades.
Both representatives from Facebook and the NBA declined to comment on the findings.
Facebook will launch music video streaming next month
Meanwhile, Facebook will soon challenge YouTube in music video streaming as it plans to start streaming licensed music videos on its platform.
The Tech Times reported that the service will be available for users in the U.S. starting next month. Artists no longer need to link the videos to Facebook as the social media giant will be allowed to add the music videos to their page where fans can directly watch them on the artist's videos tab.
This is a great development as licensing rights of artists who have contracts under major labels in the U.S. would not let them share their full-length videos on the social media platform, although they can upload snippets of them.
Last December, Facebook has been in talks with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group to get rights for the artists' music videos. The social media network aims to integrate music into Facebook, allowing background music on videos and vlogging.
In 2017, Facebook launched Facebook Watch that showcases original and popular content. Adding music to it could make it more popular while companies will have another online distributor, aside from YouTube.
