YouTube
YouTube business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
YouTube now lets you hide Shorts
YouTube has introduced a new feature allowing users to set their Shorts feed limit to zero minutes, effectively hiding short-form videos from their feed. This update expands on a previous time management tool and is now available to all users on the mobile app. The feature aims to help users reduce screen time by offering more control over their content consumption.
Evening Metaverse
YouTube has introduced a new feature allowing users to disable the autoplay of YouTube Shorts. This change provides users with more control over their viewing experience on the platform.
Morning Metaverse
Amazon has signed an $11.57 billion deal with Globalstar to utilize its satellite network, positioning itself as a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink. Separately, YouTube announced it will reduce the number of ads shown during livestreams.
Majority of Australian kids are still on banned social media platforms, study finds
A study by the Molly Rose Foundation found that 61% of Australian children aged 12-15 continue to use social media platforms banned for their age group, questioning the effectiveness of the country's new regulations. Many children reported easily bypassing the ban, and the Australian government is investigating platforms like TikTok and Meta for non-compliance, with potential penalties up to A$49.5 million.
YouTube Is Now Letting Those Outside Of The US Donate Gifts On Livestreams
YouTube is expanding its 'Gifts' creator monetization tool to allow mobile viewers outside of the United States to send gifts during livestreams. This update aims to increase creator earnings by removing the previous limitation of only being able to donate via desktop. The feature is rolling out to markets including Canada, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand, with more countries to follow.
Sunday Metaverse
The concept of 'streamflation' could pose significant challenges for major streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube. This economic trend may impact the sustainability and growth strategies of these services.
Morning Metaverse
YouTube Premium is increasing its subscription prices. The exact new pricing details and rollout timeline were not immediately specified, but the announcement was made by Deadline.
YouTube Premium’s US pricing is going up
YouTube Premium is increasing its subscription prices in the US, with individual plans rising by $2 to $16 per month and family plans increasing by $4 to $27 per month. These changes, which will take effect in June 2026, also affect the Lite and Music Premium tiers. This follows similar price hikes from Spotify and Netflix.
Google introduces AI-generated avatars to YouTube Shorts
Google has introduced AI-generated avatars to YouTube Shorts, allowing users to create virtual likenesses of themselves for use in short-form videos. This feature, integrated into the YouTube and YouTube Create apps, aims to give creators more control over their digital identities while incorporating AI disclosure measures like watermarks and labels. The avatars are created through a "live selfie" process and can be used to generate new content or reimagine existing Shorts.
AI Yi-Yi!
YouTube Shorts is developing an AI feature that will create avatars resembling users, complete with their voice and likeness. This new technology aims to enhance content creation on the platform by allowing creators to generate personalized digital representations.
Morning Metaverse
Greece plans to ban social media access for individuals under 15 starting next year. Meanwhile, YouTube has begun implementing 90-second unskippable advertisements for TV viewers. The latest version of Tor Browser, 15.0.9, has also been released.
The League of Legends KeSPA cup will air globally on Disney+
Disney+ has secured global streaming rights for several esports tournaments organized by the Korea Esports Association, including the League of Legends KeSPA Cup and events leading up to the 2026 Asian Games. This deal expands upon last year's agreement, which was limited to Asian viewers, and will feature games like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and PUBG Mobile. The move raises concerns about the fragmentation of esports viewership, potentially requiring subscriptions to platforms like Disney+ instead of free viewing on Twitch or YouTube.
PSA: YouTube will be streaming Coachella for free next week
YouTube will be livestreaming the Coachella music festival for free, offering viewers access to seven different stages. The streams will include 4K broadcasts of the main stage, multi-view options for watching up to four stages simultaneously, and a 24/7 channel featuring past and present performances. Additionally, a "Watch With" feature will allow interactive viewing with content creators, and an online merch store will be available.
To the surprise of no one, running a PC without system RAM is not the solution to the memory crisis—but hey, you…
An investigation explored the possibility of running a PC without system RAM, demonstrating that while technically possible with extreme modifications like using swap space or graphics card VRAM, the resulting performance is unacceptably slow for modern computing and gaming. The experiments ultimately highlight the critical role of DRAM in a functional computer system.
Austria is pursuing a social media ban for kids under 14
Austria is introducing a comprehensive set of measures to protect minors from social media harms, including a ban for children under 14. An official bill is expected by the end of June, with improved media literacy and clear rules for platforms also planned. This initiative follows similar actions or considerations in countries like Australia, Spain, the UK, and Indonesia.
As a court rules that social media platforms are harmful and addictive, new bans are considered, and VPN use is sure to rise
A court has ruled that Meta and YouTube knowingly created addictive products that harmed users, leading to considerations of new bans on social media platforms. This ruling, coupled with potential new regulations in the UK, is expected to increase the appeal and use of VPNs.
The Morning After: Sony and Honda’s debut EV is dead before it even arrived
Sony and Honda have officially discontinued their Afeela electric vehicle project, citing a review of their business direction. The companies are reportedly facing significant financial losses in the EV market. In other news, Hades 2 is coming to Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, while Meta and YouTube were found negligent in a social media addiction lawsuit.
The Game Awards Venue Will Host The Oscars In 2029. I Wonder What Josef Fares Thinks Of This?
Beginning in 2029, the Academy Awards will move from the Dolby Theatre to the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, the same venue that hosts The Game Awards. This venue change will coincide with the Oscars exclusively streaming on YouTube. The article also touches on past controversies, including director Josef Fares's strong comments about the Oscars at The Game Awards and Geoff Keighley's disappointment over his father's exclusion from the Oscars' In Memoriam segment.
The EU is investigating Snapchat over possible child protection breaches
The European Union has launched a formal investigation into Snapchat for potential breaches of the Digital Services Act concerning child protection. Regulators are examining whether the platform adequately safeguards minors from grooming, illegal drug access, and age-inappropriate content, questioning the effectiveness of its age verification system. The EU is also investigating reporting mechanisms for illegal content and accounts, and how user data is recommended.
Evening Legal Briefs
Meta and YouTube have been found liable in a social media addiction trial. The verdict holds the companies accountable for the alleged negative impacts of their platforms on users.