As you may have heard Google made a major change to YouTube’s commenting system, and a lot of people–enough to get a petition going with thousands of signatures–are upset about the change. What’s got so many people in an uproar? You must now have a Google+ profile to comment on YouTube videos. And with the new integration of Google+, some other changes have occurred. So here’s a video tutorial on how to use new YouTube comments on your channels.
For those of us that have tried to control the spam and the nasty little trolls spreading ignorance amongst our video comments, this new change is a positive. With the new YouTube comments system in place, hopefully now he/she/it or them will think twice before using commenting as their personal playground. A Google+ profile requires a real name, so now these aggravating folk can now be traced easier.
With the new YouTube comments, people with G+ profiles, those in your circles, and people you’ve been responding to are now at the top of your comments food chain. You still have the option to see the most recent comments first.
And with the new integration, your video and your comments on it can automatically be shared on your G+ profile. No need to post to two different platforms and you can tag other G+ profile users, similar to the same actions we do on Facebook to get people’s direct attention.
Too really take advantage of the benefits, you’ll need to connect your Google+ profile and your YouTube account before Google does it for you. You can learn more about it by clicking this link.
Have you tested the new Youtube comment system for yourself? What impact will it have on your engagement on the platform? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I promise no G+ profile is required!
For those complaining so passionately, the last thing you need in life is another social profile you’re only hiding behind, but at least with a Google+ profile you have the benefit of Google+ products such as Hangouts and more.
Technically, when the #1 search engine required a Google account to create a YouTube presence, that was your first clue more integrations were coming. Similarly when Facebook forced the new Timeline, there was much backlash. People got over it and even more people have signed up since then. So this rage against the Google machine will pass.
Truly, considering the value, personally and professionally, we have received from YouTube over the years, is the price of a G+ account so costly just to make a comment? Many sites we probably view far less, such as news sites, force a sign up to comment, but where are those anti-sign up petitions?
Creating, viewing, and sharing the videos is still open to everyone without a Google+ profile on YouTube. And that’s what users come to YouTube to do most. So what uber important action has it really stopped anyone from doing?
