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☆ YouTube's plan to compete with Spotify and Apple in podcasting, according to 2 insiders
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

YouTube is leaning on its music app to rival competitors like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As video podcasts boom on YouTube, the platform is leaning on its ability to offer both video and audio to draw in listeners. "With YouTube Music, we've expanded a user's choice for how to consume podcasts on YouTube," Sweet said. "Audiences can pivot to an audio-first experience with the ability to background and download podcasts on the go, and these experiences sync up." Podcasts are found in the YouTube Music app on the home and Explore tabs.

Persons: —, we've, Sweet, We're Organizations: YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Service, Business

☆ 2 YouTube employees explain how to make a podcast stand out on the platform, from strategies for branding to playlists to shorts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The platform wants to capitalize on this trend by helping more video podcasts to break through. AdvertisementThe execs said they've seen an increase in viewers for YouTube podcasts, in part because more people are watching them on TV. If your YouTube channel only features podcast episodes, Chan recommends placing those videos into a playlist and marking the playlist as a podcast in YouTube Studio. Related storiesChan said, however, that these playlists should only contain full podcast episodes, not clips or unrelated content. Creators can link to a podcast episode from a short to direct viewers to the full-length episode.

Persons: —, Stephanie Chan, Emma Sweet, Sweet, they've, Chan, we'll, Nick Viall, Emma McIntyre, Chain Organizations: Service, YouTube, Business

☆ Google confirmed it 'terminated' an employee who staged a protest against Israel at a tech event
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewA Google engineer who publicly protested a talk by the head of Google Israel is now out of a job. Google did not immediately return Business a request for comment from Business Insider on Saturday. Google workers have previously voiced their concerns over fears that Israel could use the contract to support its military. Google workers also flooded the company's employee message board with comments about Project Nimbus on Thursday, CNBC reported.

Persons: —, Barak Regev, Regev, Ariel Koren, Sundar Pichai, Axel Springer Organizations: Service, Google, Business, CNBC, Tech, Nimbus, YouTube, Austin City Council Locations: New York City, Israel, Google's, York

☆ YouTube Music team laid off by Google while workers testified to Austin City Council about working conditions
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The entire YouTube Music team is out of a job after going on strike last year. AdvertisementThe entire YouTube Music team is out of a job as tensions rise at Google parent company, Alphabet. The Alphabet Workers Union, which represents workers at Google's parent company, Alphabet, said Google laid off the YouTube Music team on Friday. "We just got laid off, our jobs are ending today, effective immediately," one worker tells the city council in video of the meeting. The YouTube Music team previously went on strike in February 2023 over Google's crackdown on remote work.

Persons: —, Cognizant, Sundar Pichai, Pichai Organizations: YouTube, Austin City, Google, Service, Alphabet Workers Union, Twitter, YouTube Music Locations: Texas, Austin

☆ India is blocking TikTok's owner from offering music streaming as the company looks to build a Spotify competitor
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

TikTok's owner is shuttering its music app Resso in India in response to government orders. The move comes as TikTok is rolling out a separate music app in five countries. AdvertisementTikTok's parent company ByteDance is shutting down its music-streaming app Resso in India at the end of this month, a company spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider. The app blends some of the social features of TikTok with music streaming. The company hasn't announced plans to roll out TikTok Music in India.

Persons: TikTok, —, Resso, hasn't, ByteDance, SiriusXM, Paul Hourican, Moneycontrol Organizations: Service, Business, Apple, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, US, BI Locations: India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Mexico, Singapore, Mesa , Arizona

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Persons: you've, It's, You'll, HBO Max, Hulu, you'll Organizations: Business Insider, U.S, EV, Business, Netflix, Spotify, Bank, Go, Card, Quicksilver, Capital, U.S . Bank, Amazon, Amazon Prime, Apple Music, Apple, DirecTV, ESPN, HBO, MLB TV, NBA, NHL, Paramount, Showtime, Slacker, Starz, YouTube, Go Visa, Visa Locations: U.S, Luminary

☆ Anna Indiana is the world's first all-AI singer-songwriter. She's deeply mediocre.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Kieran Press-Reynolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The new completely AI-generated musician Anna Indiana was met with fierce backlash online. She's Anna Indiana, the first musician whose entire existence — from the image and singing to the music's chord progression, key, tempo, and lyrics — is claimed to have been generated by artificial intelligence, without human involvement. I’m Anna Indiana and I’m an AI singer-songwriter. Everything from the key, tempo, chord progression, melody notes, rhythm, lyrics, and my image and singing, is auto-generated using AI. Indiana's music is middling, but it's not egregiously unlistenable.

Persons: Anna Indiana, —, Indiana, Here’s, ines, ong, lew, egan, ike, ould, witter Organizations: Service Locations: uman

The Associated Press (AP) — YouTube is rolling out new rules for AI content, including a requirement that creators reveal whether they've used generative artificial intelligence to make realistic looking videos. In a blog post Tuesday outlining a number of AI-related policy updates, YouTube said creators that don't disclose whether they've used AI tools to make “altered or synthetic” videos face penalties including having their content removed or suspension from the platform's revenue sharing program. Viewers will be alerted to altered videos with labels, including prominent ones on the YouTube video player for sensitive topics. YouTube’s privacy complaint process will be updated to allow requests for the removal of an AI-generated video that simulates an identifiable person, including their face or voice. YouTube music partners such as record labels or distributors will be able to request the takedown of AI-generated music content “that mimics an artist’s unique singing or rapping voice.”

Persons: ” Jennifer Flannery O’Connor, Emily Moxley, YouTubers, ” O'Connor, Moxley, ” Organizations: Associated Press, YouTube, Google

☆ YouTube threatens to suspend creators who fail to disclose AI-generated videos
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

YouTube is cracking down on creators who use AI tools to make "altered or synthetic" videos. The platform may impose penalties or remove undisclosed AI-generated content. AdvertisementYouTube is rolling out new rules for AI content, including a requirement that creators reveal whether they've used generative artificial intelligence to make realistic-looking videos. Viewers will be alerted to altered videos with labels, including prominent ones on the YouTube video player for sensitive topics. AdvertisementYouTube's privacy complaint process will be updated to allow requests for the removal of an AI-generated video that simulates an identifiable person, including their face or voice.

Persons: —, Jennifer Flannery O'Connor, Emily Moxley, YouTubers, " O'Connor, Moxley Organizations: Google, Service, YouTube

☆ Apple has a stunning stranglehold over Gen Z — and it'll pay off for decades to come
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Researchers found many teens have the iPhone and the Apple Watch — and also use Apple Pay. Still, Apple Music doesn't lead the way: More teens use Spotfiy, the survey says. The report says 42% of teens were found to have used Apple Pay, the tech company's cash transfer app. And 34% of teen respondents said they own an Apple Watch. An incoming call on on Apple Watch, the most popular watch brand among teenagers.

Persons: Piper Sandler, Spotfiy, —, Gen, Piper, Max —, Hiroshi Lockheimer, Lockheimer, Thomas Haigh, doesn't Organizations: Apple Watch, Apple, Service, Casio, Garmin —, YouTube Music, Amazon Prime, Street Journal

☆ TikTok-style feeds are surging in music as streamers battle for young listeners
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The streaming world is fighting to court young users who want a blended social-music experience. SoundCloud isn't alone among streamers in embracing TikTok-style song discovery and active listening. And, TikTok itself runs a "For You" page in its newly released music-streaming app, TikTok Music, which is currently available in five countries. SoundCloud has long encouraged active listening in its app by putting commenting front and center, offering a messaging tool, and encouraging artist-to-fan interactions. She added: "Younger consumers are more interested in having a more social streaming experience."

Persons: SoundCloud isn't, TikTok, Tatiana Cirisano, Cirisano Organizations: Spotify, YouTube, MIDiA Research, TikTok

☆ Meta is rolling out Threads, Twitter is blowing itself up in the quest of becoming the everything app, and YouTube is just over here rounding out its corners
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

ICYMI, YouTube is introducing rounded corners. In stark contrast to Meta's and Twitter's headline-grabbing changes, YouTube quietly unveiled a very subtle one: rounded corners, as seen in the screenshot below. YouTube videos now have rounded corners instead of sharp edges. InsiderA YouTube spokesperson confirmed the change to the Verge on Tuesday, saying that rounded corners on its videos will soon be coming to all users. The platform introduced its "Twitter-killer" rival before quickly losing the majority of its active users in a month.

Persons: Twitter —, Elon Musk, That's, — Organizations: YouTube, Morning, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Canada

☆ We got an early look at TikTok's new music app that hasn't arrived in the US yet. The Spotify rival made great playlists but had a few big flaws.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Now, it's using that influence to kick-start its own music-streaming app, TikTok Music. Like TikTok's interface, TikTok Music includes a "For You" feed of recommended content. This sets it apart from leading streamers like Spotify and Apple Music, which have limited in-app social features. It's still very early days for TikTok Music, and its rivals have a big headstart — Apple Music and Spotify are each in more than 100 countries. TikTok has not yet said when TikTok Music will roll out to other countries including the US.

Persons: TikTok, Tatiana Cirisano, Cirisano, It's, MIDiA Organizations: Spotify, Apple Music, MIDiA Research, TikTok, TikTok Music, YouTube Locations: Singapore, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Mexico

☆ We tried TikTok's new music streaming app. Here's how it could win over users — and what it needs to fix.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Now, it's using that influence to kick-start its own music-streaming app, TikTok Music. Like TikTok's interface, TikTok Music includes a "For You" feed of recommended content. It's still very early days for TikTok Music, and its rivals have a big headstart — Apple Music and Spotify are each in more than 100 countries. But other relative newcomers like YouTube Music have shown there's room to break into music streaming, particularly for platforms that can leverage another popular app to drive sign-ups. TikTok has not yet said when TikTok Music will roll out to other countries including the US.

☆ Alphabet's solid second quarter is clouded by U.S. regulatory pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Bottom line This was a very strong second quarter from Alphabet. It was also the first quarter in a while during which revenue growth outpaced that of expenses. That strategy should support both revenue growth and profit margins going forward. We think shares can edge higher over time thanks to management finally getting cost growth below revenue growth. At YouTube, management called out stabilization of spending by advertisers.

Persons: Jim Cramer, —, Ruth Porat, Jim Cramer's, Jim, Sundar Pichai, Anna Moneymaker Organizations: U.S, NVIDIA, Nvidia, U.S . Department, DOJ, Google Networks, Google, YouTube, CNBC, Americas, U.S . Chamber, Commerce, Getty Locations: Los Angeles , California

☆ YouTube hikes prices for US premium subscribers for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 20 (Reuters) - YouTube, Google's video streaming platform, hiked prices on its monthly and annual premium plans in the United States for the first time since the subscription service was launched in 2018. The YouTube Premium plan would cost $13.99 a month in the U.S., up $2 from before, according to the company's website on Thursday. YouTube had in April introduced new features for its premium users including letting them host Google Meet sessions to watch videos on the platform together with other users. It has also hiked prices for YouTube Music by $1 to $10.99 in the U.S. The move follows similar price increases by Amazon Music, Apple Music and Tidal.

Persons: Chavi Mehta, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: Google, YouTube, U.S, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Spotify considering full-length music videos on app - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 30 (Reuters) - Spotify Technology (SPOT.N) is mulling adding full-length music videos to its app, which could help the music streaming platform compete with TikTok and Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) YouTube, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Spotify, which did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, already allows artists to upload looping GIFs, which plays when a music track is playing. Spotify, which already has more than 100,000 podcasts with videos, has begun talks with partners about the product, the report said. It is looking to attract more Gen Z audiences away from YouTube and TikTok's short-form video platforms. YouTube already has a music streaming service dubbed YouTube Music, with music videos.

Persons: Akash Sriram, Maju Samuel Organizations: Spotify Technology, YouTube, Bloomberg, Spotify, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ YouTube TV contractors allege in NLRB complaint they were terminated in response to broader union organizing efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Thomas Maxwell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

They allege they were let go as a union movement among Google contractors began to make inroads. The Alphabet Workers Union has filed a new complaint on Friday with the National Labor Relations Board against Google and its contractor Cognizant on behalf of three contract YouTube TV workers who were terminated. But Google told Insider that the layoffs occurred because it ended the YouTube TV contract. Mencini also said the company has "had many contracts with unionized suppliers and have no objection to Cognizant workers organizing or joining a union." Insider also previously reported that the AWU claims that Cognizant held meetings with YouTube TV contractors where they repeated anti-union talking points.

Persons: they'd, it's, we've, Courtenay Mencini, Mencini, Cognizant Organizations: Google, Alphabet Workers Union, National Labor Relations Board, YouTube, Austin, NLRB, YouTube Music Locations: Austin , Texas, Austin

☆ Google is downsizing its contract workforce that supports YouTube, shortly after one contractor team's union victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Thomas Maxwell | Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Workers in Austin recently formed a collective bargaining group with the Alphabet Workers Union. The move comes shortly after a group of Cognizant workers supporting YouTube Music voted 41-0 in favor of unionizing with the Alphabet Workers Union, which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America, a larger trade union. The cuts did not impact the YouTube Music team, which helps curate themed playlists and review song metadata. The Cognizant team supporting YouTube TV had been in early talks to form their own union following the group at YouTube Music, according to three workers there. Cognizant also confirmed in an email that its contract supporting YouTube TV is ending.

☆ YouTube Music contractors won a historic union election, which means Google could have to negotiate with a labor group for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Thomas Maxwell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Contact workers who support YouTube Music won their union election 41-0. Contract workers who support YouTube Music have won their union election and will now prepare to bargain for a labor contract. The Alphabet Workers Union launched in 2021 and represents both full-time workers employed directly by Google as well as its large contract workforce. Some Google contractors can command high salaries, while many — like those at Cognizant — make as little as $19 an hour. The YouTube Music contractors initially began organizing to seek a guaranteed work-from-home policy, saying that it's too expensive to live in Austin on the wages offered.

☆ YouTube TV contractors in early stages of organizing say they're being held in 'captive meetings' to discourage unionizing
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Thomas Maxwell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

YouTube TV contractors are in the early stages of making a push towards unionization. The YouTube TV contractors' efforts follow that of their colleagues in YouTube Music. In response, Cognizant held two "captive meetings" with the YouTube TV team in the past two weeks to dissuade them from organizing, contractors say. Contractors working for Cognizant say they've been told they should not take these new signs down. In the past year, more than 300 Starbucks locations organized under the Starbucks Workers Union.

☆ YouTube Music contractors say their office is promoting anti-union messages on TVs ahead of the union election
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Thomas Maxwell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Contracting firm Cognizant is pushing back as contractors for YouTube Music begin union elections. In October, YouTube Music contractors announced their plans to unionize with the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU), which represents more than 1,200 full-time Googlers and contractors doing work for the company through outsourcing firms. The YouTube Music contractors will hold a union election on Wednesday. Sam ReganCognizant required YouTube Music contractors to work from its Austin office starting February 6. YouTube Music contractors are voting to unionizeAfter the union election on Wednesday, the National Labor Relations Board will hold a vote count on April 26 to determine whether a majority of YouTube Music workers voted in favor of collective bargaining.

Not only have marketers been pausing ad spend en masse, YouTube is also battling TikTok for audiences and content creators. Industry insiders credit Mohan with building out the ad products that made YouTube Google's main growth engine for so many years. Tal Chalozin, CTO and cofounder of the adtech company Innovid, said that Mohan's expertise stretches across all of YouTube's ad business, particularly adtech. "He was leading product for the launch of YouTube Premium and YouTube TV, and the growth of YouTube Music," said one former YouTube employee. "It's now Neal and YouTube against TikTok, and that's the existential battle for short-form video monetization and creators," Norman said.

☆ YouTube creators testing its new song-licensing feature are feeling sticker shock from prices as high as $18,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Dan Whateley | Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Some Creator Music licenses have a set price, while others have custom pricing based on a channel's size. Prices for a song license in Creator Music can vary widely based on a creator's subscriber count. Music rights holders regularly crack down on brands that use songs in social-media posts without paying for a license. YouTube has gradually introduced features over the past decade-and-a-half to compensate music rights' holders on its platform. The company is also setting aside revenue for music rights holders as it introduces revenue-sharing on Shorts this month.

☆ YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki is stepping down
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki is stepping down, the company shared in a blog post Thursday. Chief product officer Neal Mohan will be the new head of YouTube. Wojcicki became CEO in 2014 after moving over from Google. Wojcicki became CEO in 2014, coming from Google, YouTube's parent company. Under her leadership, YouTube launched products like YouTube Gaming, YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV.

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