Google takes another step in bringing better commenting to YouTube

November 6, 2013

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Anyone who has spent any time on the Internet knows that YouTube's comment system may best be described as a “wretched hive of scum and villainy” as Obi-Wan would say. To combat that impression and clean the place up, YouTube has started to implement some changes to turn comments into conversations. One piece of that effort is the move to require a Google+ account to be able to leave a comment, similar to the strategy used to clean up the Google Play feedback system. After rolling out some new comment features back in September on a limited basis, YouTube announced today that they are expanding this to all videos you may be watching on the service.

One change visitors will note is that “Top Comments” will move to the top of the comment feed. Posts from the video's creator, popular personalities, threads that are judged “engaging” based on up ratings, and people in your Google+ circles will be listed first. If you really want to see comments chronologically regardless of the quality of the content, an option to switch to “Newest First” will be available.

YouTube is also making it possible for commenters to limit accessibility to their comments to different levels, like the public, only people in chosen Circles, or even just specific individuals. YouTube says replies will be threaded to help make it easier to follow the conversations.

Finally, if you post videos on your channel on YouTube, the service is providing some new tools to let you moderate comments before they are posted, block certain words, or auto-approve posts from known fans.

Check out the video below for more on the new commenting system, then head over to the TalkAndroid channel to see it in action while you watch some of our videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVGp8Z8Yb28

source: YouTube Creators Blog

Jeff Causey Author

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active an active runner usually training for his next marathon, owns a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and plays Dungeons & Dragons. Jeff has three grown kids and a golden retriever.

1 comment

GraveUypo says:

November 7, 2013 at 9:12 AM

that’s funny, i thought the headline would be “Google takes another step on forcing people to join their social network”.

no one likes the fact that you need g+ to do anything on youtube now. it’s a great thing to go with the lastest player that has no ability to seek or change resolutions.

don’t get me wrong, there’s a plus side to this. editing comments, longer coments and shit are definitively a step up, but that could very well be implemented without the stupid g+ stuff.

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