It seems to be the season for the major social networks to launch new analytics services. First we had LinkedIn launching a long awaited stats package for their groups feature. Then Facebook joined in with some updates to their own Page insights. Now YouTube have joined in with a launch of an analytics service.
Previously YouTube channel owners had to make do with Insight. All of those features are moved over to YouTube Analytics, with a few new options added for your statistical pleasure.
If you've used Google Analytics in the past you'll feel at home because the look and feel are very similar. Your dashboard reveals total video views for the last 30 days, your top 10 videos, video engagement stats and some basic demographic information.
- Data filter – a new data filter allows you to drill down into your stats by date, geography and content, either by a predetermined date range or one of your own choosing.
- New charts – all data comes with a line chart to provide a visual representation. A nice new feature is the ability to compare one set of data with another from within the chart.
- Interactive maps – this is similar to the Google Analytics map tool and lets you see easily which videos are popular around the world.
- Download – and last but certainly not least, you have the ability to download the data. This is really handy for when you want to compile your own reports for clients or internal stakeholders.
So all in all a nice addition by YouTube. To delve into your own stats check out YouTube Analytics for your channel.
https://www.youtube.com/analytics
As with a lot of these things, kinda cool, but you need to figure out a way to make use of the information. If you don't then it'll be one of those 'cool' things that never gets used.
That is very true Nick. I subscribe to Avinash Kausik philosophy that you should invest more in people than you do in tools. Of course that isn't Google's problem and I think they've produced a nice set of stats for marketers to use.
It's amazing how often YouTube isn't regarded as social media and is not given the love it requires. This should help to provide a bit more ROI for video work, which will hopefully sell in the platform to those higher up.
It's nice that the interface is similar to Google Analytics. Makes the whole learning curve very small indeed. Agree with Nick and Adi though, you really need to figure out how you'll use the data before getting too excited by this.
Here is Google's blog post announcing the move btw.
http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2011/11/announ…
The YouTube Creators Playbook has been updated with a section on the new YouTube Analytics.
http://www.youtube.com/creators/playbook.html