Last month, it was announced that YouTube would be adding watermarks to all of its original content in order to prevent piracy and encourage people to visit their website or app to watch videos instead of downloading them illegally. Since this announcement, a lot of people have been wondering why the video sharing site decided to do this and if it’s really going to help. To help clarify some of these questions, let’s take a look at how things are now and how things will change once the watermarks go into effect. Why YouTube Is Adding Watermarks to Downloaded Shorts
It’s About Money
YouTube is a business. And like any business, they want to make money. One way they do this is by selling ads. But in order for someone to see an ad, they need to watch a video. If people are downloading videos and watching them offline, YouTube isn’t making any money off of those views. The watermark will be the only indicator that a video has been downloaded. It’s also a lot more difficult to upload your own watermark than it is to download a short from YouTube and replace the watermark with your own logo or message.
It’s About Control
YouTube is a platform that allows anyone with an internet connection to upload and share videos. Over the years, it has become a go-to source for short-form content. And while YouTube offers users the ability to download videos, it doesn’t have much control over how those videos are used once they’re downloaded. By adding watermarks to downloaded shorts, YouTube can help ensure that its content is used in accordance with its terms of service.
It’s About the Hard Fork
There’s been a lot of talk lately about YouTube adding watermarks to downloaded shorts. Some people are for it, and some people are against it. Personally, I think it’s a good idea. Here’s why most videos on YouTube have advertisements at the beginning, but these ads are removed when you download them. As a result, content creators don’t get paid when their videos are downloaded. But now that there’s an easy way to download without being charged, this will soon stop being an issue. You may be wondering why YouTube is getting rid of ad revenue for downloaded versions of videos. The answer is that the company wants to make sure there isn’t any copyright infringement happening because people can easily rip content from YouTube without permission.
It’s About Timing
The timing of this move by YouTube is interesting for a few reasons. First, it comes shortly after the platform removed watermarks from downloaded videos for all users. And second, it comes at a time when TikTok is dominating the short-form video space. Third, it’s likely that YouTube will implement an algorithm to detect whether people are reuploading its content. Fourth, and finally, YouTube is seeing an influx in revenue as they become more of a music streaming service than ever before with premium subscription tiers like Music Premium and Google Play Music All Access available on their site.
What does it mean for creators?
This change means that any downloaded YouTube short will now have a watermark in the bottom left-hand corner. This is presumably to help deter copyright infringement, as it will be easier for creators to track where their content is being shared. For most creators, this won’t be a big deal, as watermarks are already common on other platforms. However, it could be a problem for those who rely on YouTube shorts for their livelihood. This is because watermarks make it more difficult to monetize downloaded content.
How can this help you as a creator?
As a creator, you might be wondering how this change will affect you and your channel. Here are a few ways that watermarking downloaded shorts could help you 1) You’ll know when your content is being shared without your permission.
2) You’ll be able to identify who has been sharing it without your permission (i.e., through a link on social media).
3) It’s yet another way for people who have previously enjoyed watching and sharing your content to continue doing so, even if they can’t find it on YouTube any more.
What could be improved about this system?
There are a few potential problems with this system. First, watermarks could potentially make downloaded shorts less attractive to viewers. Second, if watermarks are not placed in strategic locations, they could be easily cropped out or ignored altogether. Third, watermarks could potentially make it more difficult for short filmmakers to monetize their work. Fourth, watermarks could interfere with the aesthetic of a short film. Finally, watermarks could lead to piracy if they are not placed correctly.
