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March 24, 2011

Google Video Previews

Google's instant previews for video sites weren't very useful because most video sites use Flash and the software that generates thumbnails can't handle Flash. That's probably one of the reasons why Google replaced the standard screenshots with short clips from the videos. By default, the sound is muted, but you can change this setting. The feature is also available at Google Video next to some search results.

"When it comes to videos, people want to spend less time searching and more time watching. That's why we added an enhancement to Instant Previews—the ability to preview videos. Click once on the magnifying glass next to the title of any video search result in universal or video mode. For some videos, you'll now be able to play through a set of four short segments from the video to see if it’s what you’re looking for (video providers have to opt to make the previews available, so you won't find it for every video yet)," explains Google.


Even if Google announced this feature a couple of weeks ago, it's still spotty, so it may not be available for you. You can also try Bing's Video Search, which offers a similar feature that probably inspired Google.
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12 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    I just tried it, but I think this might work better on YouTube. There's a Chrome extension that previews videos but not the sound.

    ReplyDelete
  2. IrfanMarch 24, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Amazing feature they launched. @Jason: both sound and video is working in my Chrome.

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  3. IrfanMarch 24, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    In Bing video's its working but for Google Video's that magnifying glass is not available.

    ReplyDelete
  4. IrfanMarch 24, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    In Bing video's its working but for Google Video's that magnifying glass is not available.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beben KobenMarch 25, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    go go go google...keep going make better :D
    \m/

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMarch 25, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    @Irfan: No I mean the Chrome YouTube extension that previews videos on YouTube. It works kind of like the previews on Google Video but unlike the latter, it doesn't preview sound also

    ReplyDelete
  7. shared hostingMarch 26, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    I just wanna to say "google is the best operating system".

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nick StamoulisMarch 28, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    This is a good feature because it prevents the user from having to click back and forth if the video isn't what they were looking for. It probably was inspired by Bing. It's good that the search engines continue to try and provide helpful new services.

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  9. BillyMarch 28, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    this good because it will increase popularity of google itself and human computer interaction can optimize so well

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  10. web development, tipperary, irelandMarch 30, 2011 at 5:04 AM

    this is quite amazing, even by the high standards of google. impressive.

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  11. Eric ZApril 1, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    I'm still waiting for the improvement that'll let us disable the instant preview feature entirely

    ReplyDelete
  12. ecommerce website developersMay 27, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively. Excellent writing! I am looking forward to hearing more from you.

    ReplyDelete

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