YouTube is hoping to stem the flow of misinformation videos through the introduction of a new coronavirus news shelf. Ever since the outbreak started, it has become increasingly harder to find concentrated and accurate information on the virus. However, this move continues YouTube's approach of actively reducing content creator access to the topic.
Coronavirus is an issue that affects everyone, and while there are many news sites covering the topic, not all are equally as trusted. This has continued to escalate the wider issue of people preferring to get their news from select sources. While that problem is an issue in itself, the stakes are raised when it comes to global issues that affect life and death, resulting in a major problem not just for YouTube, but many online services.
One way YouTube is now looking to overcome the issue of reliable coronavirus information is by introducing a new shelf dedicated to the topic. Essentially, users can now expect to see a highlighted “COVID-19” row appear at the top of the YouTube experience on mobile and desktop. This row will be reserved for videos the service deems reliable and accurate with algorithms a major part of that deeming process. YouTube announced the new row on social media, adding that it is launching in sixteen countries to start, with more expected to be added in due course.
Like most services that let you comment or contribute content, YouTube has an issue figuring out how best to serve relevant and accurate posts on the pandemic. In YouTube’s case, this is more of a pressing issue considering how many use the platform, and specifically, how many get their news from YouTube. To begin with, the service took the approach of banning all videos on the topic from monetization in the hope this would dissuade someone from making misleading or misinforming videos. Although the service had to quickly reverse that stance and allow monetization to return again. Now it appears that its top shelf is what the service is banking on ensuring users are exposed to reputable information, although this does come at a cost to other YouTubers.
Not all well-known or YouTube-trusted channels are going to be trying to mislead or misinform, and yet they are being treated as if that's the case. The news shelf is yet another example of this, with the content likely to be exclusively reserved for very predictable outlets. Of course, while it is necessary that the videos people see on coronavirus are reliable, this is more of an issue of YouTube unable to properly moderate the platform than anything else. YouTube has routinely suffered with moderation issues, and due to the outbreak forcing more people to stay at home, that problem is all the worse when it comes to the virus. For example, YouTube only recently confirmed it was having to now rely more on machine learning to moderate the outbreak, and due to this, expects to see even more mistakes being made with videos removed when they do not violate platform policies. Therefore, while you won’t get videos that might misinform you on coronavirus appearing in this row, you also won’t get videos from your favorite YouTubers either, including those that are informing.
Source: YouTubeInsider/Twitter
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