Google Search Is Getting Better at Displaying the Important Bits on Videos

Although Google is really good at helping you find the exact information you are looking for when it comes to text, it’s not as good for content like videos. And that’s about to change, thanks to a new feature the company is rolling out to Google Search.

YouTube content creators will now be able to mark Key Points in a video, which will essentially involve the content creators providing Google with timestamps for key moments in a video. Using that data, Google will surface the key moments within videos in the search results. For example, it will highlight the different steps in a how-to video or the key moments from a long speech.

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The new feature sounds incredibly useful, and Google says it will also make video content more accessible for those with screen readers. The feature is only launching for users using Google Search in English, by the way.

Although this is a really nice addition, whether it will actually be useful depends on if YouTube video creators will actually provide Google with the timestamp data. The company says it’s working with publishers such as CBS Sports and NDTV to add the key moments from their videos, so hopefully other creators will eventually follow suit.

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Conversation 2 comments

  • bluvg

    17 September, 2019 - 6:58 pm

    <p>This would be really helpful for those how-to videos that have 8 minutes of talking and 20 seconds of doing. Only works with the help of the creators, though….</p>

  • Chris_Kez

    Premium Member
    18 September, 2019 - 9:55 am

    <p>The need for creator support is obviously a big barrier, but if Google can dangle the promise of better search placement and increased clicks this has a chance. </p>

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