Google Drops Ability To Watch Video Directly In Search Results

Vanessa Fox posted details a few days ago about how Google has removed the ability to watch videos directly in the search results and discussed how Yahoo! and Live Search handle video listings in web search. Ionut posted a few days later and got several comments from people who used the feature and didn’t want it taken away.

As part of Google’s universal search launch, videos listed in the search results included a plus sign that said “watch video.” As of a few weeks ago, that plus box is no longer available, and searchers have to click through the result to watch the video on the hosting page.

A search for starwars kid, for instance, now has no plus box:

Google Video Results Missing Plus Sign

In the past, there was a plus sign:

Star Wars Kid in Google Universal Search

When you clicked on it, you were able to view the video directly in Google’s web search results:

Star Wars Kid in Google Universal Search

As noted in our article last week, Google discovered that searchers didn’t find the feature as useful as they expected.

We are constantly experimenting with new features to help improve the search experience. When some features — such as the “Watch Video” link — aren’t as useful as we want them to be, we remove them and go back to experimenting. We’ll continue to try out new features in order to provide the most useful and relevant search experience for our users.

Related Topics: Channel: Video | Google: Universal Search | Google: YouTube & Video


About The Author: is Search Engine Land's News Editor and owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry's personal blog is named Cartoon Barry and he can be followed on Twitter here. For more background information on Barry, see his full bio over here.

Connect with the author via: Email | Twitter | Google+ | LinkedIn


SMX - Search Marketing Expo

SearchCap:

Get all the top search stories emailed daily!  

Like This Story? Please Share!

Other ways to share:

Like Our Site? Follow Us!

Subscribe to Our Feed! Join our LinkedIn Group Check out our Tumblr! See us on Pinterest Get Search Engine Land on your mobile device!
 

Read before commenting! We welcome constructive comments and allow any that meet our common sense criteria. This means being respectful and polite to others. It means providing helpful information that contributes to a story or discussion. It means leaving links only that substantially add further to a discussion. Comments using foul language, being disrespectful to others or otherwise violating what we believe are common sense standards of discussion will be deleted. Comments may also be removed if they are posted from anonymous accounts. You can read more about our comments policy here.

Comments are closed.

Get Our News, Everywhere!

 
  • Advertise With Us
 

Click to watch SMX conference video

Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

North America

EMEA

APAC

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.

SMX Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »




 

Search Engine Land Periodic Table of SEO Ranking Factors

Get Your Copy
Read The Full SEO Guide