News and resources
TuttoYouTube users are turning to the platform as a key source of news and information. More than a quarter of those who get their news on YouTube say it is the main way they stay informed about current events.
In a blog post, YouTube announced new features that will allow users to dive deeper into the news they care about. A new “news watch page” will feature video on demand, livestreams and podcasts – all available in one place. The company also introduced a Shorts Innovation Program for News, aimed at helping more news organizations create short-form content using YouTube’s most popular format, the Short.
How Social Media is Changing the Face of Digital Marketing
The research behind this article reveals that many of the channels people use on YouTube to get their news are oriented around personalities – either individuals who were already public figures before starting their channel or social media influencers who have made a name for themselves by discussing news and politics on their YouTube channels. In fact, 15% of YouTube news channels are personality-driven.
When researchers looked at the top 100 most-viewed videos on these channels in December of last year, they found that independent channels were more likely to mention or focus on conspiracy theories than channels affiliated with news organizations. Moreover, videos from independent channels were more likely to take a negative tone toward the topics they discussed.
When asked why they watched YouTube for news, most YouTube news consumers said that the videos maintained their attention and helped them understand the issues. They also cited the variety of viewpoints and perspectives available on the platform.