If you use Google to quickly search for a music video, you might notice a new card format right at the top of your search results.
As reported by Search Engine Watch, Google has started showing links to YouTube videos with a large, Google Now-style card at the top of the page. You can’t actually play them within the search engine, but the transparent play button makes it look like the YouTube player and, once clicked, will redirect you to its popular video-sharing site.
Not all music videos are listed in this way, but most official uploads from VEVO and individual artists are being shown in this way. There are also some instances where videos uploaded by fans are receiving the same treatment. Google told Search Engine Watch that the new feature affects other video services such as Vimeo and Dailymotion. While this is true, all of the cards show a player that is nowhere near as large or authentic as the mock-up used for YouTube.
With music streaming services such as Spotify and Rdio on the rise, Google wants to make sure that viewers still visit YouTube to watch and listen to their favorite tracks. By showing music videos so prominently in its search results, Google can protect YouTube’s popularity and encourage newcomers to use it for all of their audiovisual needs.
➤ Search Engine Watch | (Via Engadget/The Verge)
Image Credit: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
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