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The Google YouTube Ka-Billion Dollar Question: Are “You” Not Enough?

March 2nd, 2007

In recent weeks, Google has been scurrying like mad trying to get all the big, old entertainment copyright holders to sign YouTube content distribution deals, and allow all its currently, copyright infringing content to remain on the insanely popular video sharing site.

But something about this desperate situation worries me. The implication is that Google really, really, really (no, really) needs that copyrighted content.

Wait a second. I thought last year was all about “You” and the awesomely cool entertainment value of user created content? All those pseudo-amateurs, videoblogging, bad dancing, lipsynching, and Shoes?

It seems the copyright infringing stuff is very valuable to both Google or the copyright holders. Is that what’s really driving the traffic to YouTube? Are “We” not watching enough “You”? Does GooTube totally need “Them”?

Call me naive. I thought the whole point of YouTube was the “You”. Maybe I’ve been watching too many owner-made stupid cat videos. I previously thought the original content could be enough to sustain the presently massive audience.

What worries me is if YouTube can’t be successful with just “You,” then one pillar of Web 2.0: User Created Content – might be a sham. Which sucks, because I’m still a believer. I believe in You and Me and Us and not so much Them.

Please, YouTube, don’t let me down. ThemTube doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Note: Last post of the day – I’m serious about this three posts daily stuff! I need to have a first life.

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1 Comment

  1. [...] that YouTube’s success is because of user created content. I hope the truth isn’t that all the “you” stuff isn’t as appealing as we think. Is Google not being up front with what makes up YouTube’s real value? Otherwise, why not [...]

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