August 21, 2007 11:51 AM PDT

Google ties YouTube videos to news stories

Google is combining YouTube videos with Google News to offer users what it hopes will be greater perspective on news stories.

The company announced on its blog that visitors to Google News will see a "Video" prefix next to news stories. Clicking on these links will take them to a YouTube page where they can watch video about the subject.

Google is still testing the offering with news sources such as CBS, Reuters and local TV stations owned by Hearst.

"Today, viewing news videos or other content types on the Web can be a frustrating experience," said Lucy Zhang, a member of Google News' engineering team. "You often get videos that don't play, sites that require different video player downloads, or have misleading descriptions of the content. That's why we're working with YouTube so you can easily view online videos without any downloads required and regardless of what browser you're using."

The offering is a sign that Google is looking for ways to get the most use out of YouTube's vast video library. The service may also send a message to news providers that Google is ratcheting up efforts to become the Web's main news stand.

Greg Sandoval covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News. He is a former reporter for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. E-mail Greg, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sandoCNET.

Topics:: Media

Tags:: YouTube,; Google,; news,; video

Share:: Digg; Del.icio.us; Reddit; Facebook

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right

Business Tech
EC reshuffle bumps antitrust chief Kroes
Neelie Kroes, who is best known for handling the European Union's antitrust case against Microsoft, is designated as the new digital agenda commissioner.
Gallery
App Store collector's items: 10 rarities (images)
Web Crawler
Apple App Store collector's items: 10 rarities
Apple's app rejection policy is pretty harsh, but even harsher have been the times when apps get through, only to be pulled or have features removed. Here are 10 of our favorites.
Beyond Binary
Windows 8 in 2012?
It's not clear what Microsoft's desktop plans are, but the Windows Server team included slides at PDC suggesting a new major release coming around 2012.
Video
Google Chrome OS demonstration
Technically Incorrect
Droid does, iPhone doesn't: The porn app store
Company called MiKandi launches what it claims is the world's first adult-only mobile app store. But while the apps work with Android phones, they won't with iPhones.
Video
Google Chrome OS unveiling
Geek Gestalt
A wild ride on NASA's massive flight simulator
The Vertical Motion Simulator trains all comers in capsule landings, helicopter flights, and even bobsled runs. Now it's helping in the design of next-gen lunar landers.
InSecurity Complex
Building circuits, code, community at Noisebridge hacker space
The Noisebridge hacker space offers sewing and Mandarin classes, soldering workshops, Internet-controlled front door access, and a server room with no door.
Gallery
Noisebridge hacker collective (photos)
Crave
Crave giveaway of the day: Vizio VOJ320F1A 1080p LCD HDTV
Today's Crave Giveaway is a Vizio VOJ320F1A 32-inch 1080p LCD HDTV.
Green Tech
Underground data center to help heat Helsinki
Excess heat from hundreds of computer servers to be located in the bedrock beneath one of the city's popular tourist sites will be captured and channeled into a system of water-heated pipes used to warm homes.