YouTube may be the go-to network for videos, how-to content or a music video, but it has become a place where people may not want to hang out. The video platform has faced some harsh criticism from advertisers, possibly because Google gave users too much freedom.
Anyone can create and add a video to the social network, and this has given everyone lots of power. And major companies are not willing to throw money at YouTube when the content includes the promotion of terrorism and the bashing of homosexuality.
This week, major advertisers decided to step back from their contracts, which is costing Google millions of dollars.
Google admits ‘unacceptable’ actions with YouTube
"We know that this is unacceptable to the advertisers and agencies who put their trust in us," Philipp Schindler, Google's chief business officer, revealed in a blog post this week after learning that major advertisers were backing out of their deals with Google’s video service.
So, who is leaving the contracts behind? AT&T, Verizon Communications and an expanding global list of advertisers that includes Volkswagen, Audi, HSBC Holdings, the Royal Bank of Scotland and L'Oreal have all said that they aren’t pleased with the lack of structure and content approval on YouTube.
"We are deeply concerned that our ads may have appeared alongside YouTube content promoting terrorism and hate," AT&T said in a statement, explaining, “Until Google can ensure this won't happen again, we are removing our ads from Google's non-search platforms."
What YouTube’s troubles mean for users
At present, users are not affected.
The company won’t be making money from investors, but users will not be affected right now. If the tech giant isn't making money from investors, it is possible that YouTube will undergo some changes in the future. If it isn't making money, it is possible that users will see some changes to the terms of use. However, since it is such a popular video service, Google may be careful in what changes they implement.
Does this change your opinion of YouTube and Google?
