Would it make the internet better? Probably.

  • overload@sopuli.xyz
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    14
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 month ago

    Would YouTube get shittier if Google was broken up? I was under the understanding that YouTube is a loss leader service for Google, but I still think its one of the best social media sites on the web. Even when you consider the number of ads (that doesn’t affect a revanced user).

    • Capricorn_Geriatric@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      16
      ·
      1 month ago

      Not neccessarily. A spun off YouTube would still have YouTube premium and ad revenue. They could also sell user data to 3rd parties (I doubt Google currently does it on a large since it’s in their interest to have a better ad network than its competitiors). A move similar to Reddit’s with their API and exclusive search agreement or agreements to feed certain videos to AI would both fetch a higher price and upset the quality less since the vast majorty of videos watched are found through YouTube itself.

        • Cryophilia@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          6
          ·
          1 month ago

          The idea behind breaking up a monopoly is to allow competition. So if a competitor to YouTube arises, then both companies will have to offer better service to entice more users.

          • WldFyre@lemm.ee
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            1 month ago

            How would breaking up Google break up the “monopoly” of YouTube, which is what we were discussing.

            • Asifall@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              6
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              1 month ago

              The argument is that google uses integration between its own ad network and YouTube to outcompete any similar service. If anyone else tries to launch a video platform and sell ad space to google, which is likely given that google owns the world’s largest ad network, it’s in googles best interest to either give their own competitor an unfavorable deal or to completely lock them out of their ad marketplace.

              If YouTube and google were forced to operate as independent companies it eliminates this conflict of interest.