| Considered the second most important search engine | | | | engagement with their audience and gathering |
| behind its owner Google, YouTube is easily the | | | | feedback that can be used to create new content. |
| biggest video sharing community on the web. While | | | | The Moderator feature is not necessarily new as |
| the site is perfect for videos, it has never been the | | | | Google previously used it to collect and manage |
| greatest platform for conversations. Until recently, | | | | questions received during a live, streamed YouTube |
| comments and video responses were the only way | | | | interview with President Obama. Once an internal |
| to respond to a post. Unfortunately, neither method | | | | product, the tool is now available to all who want to |
| was efficient in terms of allowing the video publisher | | | | put it to good use. |
| to communicate with their audience. That has all | | | | Video Just Got Even Better |
| changed with the YouTube Moderator feature. | | | | If you are small businesses owner who is currently |
| Inside YouTube Moderation | | | | leveraging video, the new Moderator feature should |
| YouTube has launched a new feature that allows | | | | be incentive to consider using YouTube as your social |
| video channel owners to communicate with their | | | | platform for consumer engagement. The viral power |
| viewers more effectively. Basically a customized | | | | of video has been proven, showing that it is far |
| version of Google Moderator integrated into the | | | | more effective than a compelling image or well |
| platform, the tool lets subscribers vote on certain | | | | written blog post could ever be. If the new feature |
| content, and also allows for responses via text and | | | | takes off, and there is a great chance it will, more |
| video. Once enabled, channel owners simply enter a | | | | brands will flock to YouTube because it now provides |
| topic or question, choose whether they want to | | | | the ability to reach and engage audiences in ways |
| accept responses in the form of text, video or both, | | | | there were previously not possible on the site. |
| and set the duration for the poll. Many YouTube | | | | Whether you use it for crowd sourcing ideas or |
| users voice their opinion, but their dialogue can easily | | | | launching more exciting social media marketing |
| be lost in the mix of spam and often downright rude | | | | campaigns, rest assured that this feature has tons of |
| comments made by others. The Moderator feature | | | | real potential. |
| provides channel owners with the ability to interact | | | | To no surprise, many channel owners have already |
| with their viewers and a much easier way to | | | | enabled Moderator and Google has rewarded some |
| separate genuine dialogue from the crap. | | | | by crediting them for showing others how the |
| With the new feature, YouTube has essentially given | | | | feature works. If you have a presence on YouTube, |
| small businesses a more comprehensive way to | | | | this is definitely a tool you want to pick up as it |
| gather ideas and suggestions from their audience. | | | | offers a way to solicit feedback from your audience, |
| Because the function is powered by real-time polling | | | | and get new ideas for product and service offerings. |
| capabilities, it is ideal for running contests, promotions, | | | | Experts are already predicting that the feature will |
| or even viral marketing campaigns. Small businesses | | | | make YouTube even more valuable to brands looking |
| can take advantage of this tool for driving deeper | | | | to dabble in the wonder of video. |