Government Use of Video Website Services

There are certain issues that must be navigated when utilizing different video service providers on the Web. This page provides recommendations and examples that will assist agencies in utilizing these services.

Although there are a number of companies providing free video services over the Web, currently government agencies seem to be focusing most of their efforts on utilizing two major providers: Google and YouTube. (Note: YouTube is also owned by Google.) Government agencies are encouraged to utilize other services like YouTube when that service enables them to further reach their constituents with information related to their agency's services.

As part of our continuing public/private partnership with Google, California has launched its official video channel at www.youtube.com/californiagovernment. The channel serves as a type of "parent" channel for the State, featuring video playlists from departments and agencies. One of the key benefits of the new channel is the ability to host longer videos than the usual 15-minute snippets posted on YouTube. Other benefits include:

* No cost

* Channel is ad-free

* Enhanced branding

* Extended length videos

Departments can either set up their own YouTube channel or host their videos on California's official YouTube channel and take advantage of the partnership benefits. State departments are encouraged to post their video content on services like YouTube, but are reminded to follow good practices and State policies.

Links

* California Social Media Policy and Frequently Asked Questions - California Technology Agency

* California Videos - CA.gov
Directory of videos from California departments and agencies.

* California's YouTube Channel - YouTube
The official YouTube channel of the California State government, linking to videos of departments and agencies within the State.

* Getting Started With YouTube - WebTools
Learn how you create a YouTube account, read best practices to follow, and other tips and techniques.

* Use of Web Service Offerings (PDF) - Office of Information Privacy and Protection
Information Sheet on using YouTube and other web service offerings.

Good Practices to Follow

Each department should:

* Regularly monitor comments received on videos for appropriateness

* Obey copyright laws

* Ensure employees who have access to services like YouTube have read and follow the department's Acceptable Use policy

* Provide alternate content for users who cannot view the videos (e.g., captioning, transcript)

* Ensure videos are good quality and value to the user (i.e., don't post videos just because you have them)

* Ensure that videos include department branding

All planning and implementation should be consistent with existing policies and align with any applicable laws, regulations, codes, or requirements.

YouTube's Service Offering:

YouTube allows anyone who registers for a free YouTube account to upload videos to a "channel-homepage" that includes a robust, complete set of services for publishing their videos and for collaborating with those who watch them.

Utilizing YouTube departments can display a specific individual video on their own webpages or display a "playlist" of videos. Additionally there is the ability to publish out via a RSS feed from a department's YouTube channel. Demonstrated below are methods of displaying videos on your webpages along with some valuable recommendations:

YouTube Video Display and "Related Query" Capability - on your webpage

This demonstrates what the YouTube video player module would look like on your web page and what functionality comes with it. In particular it demonstrates that other videos that you did not want, may actually become accessible on your website via YouTube's "related video" play capability - unless you use a "special" parameter.

If you click on the "menu" button on the bottom right corner of the YouTube video display, the video display will change to a smaller size to reveal other options. These options include the ability to obtain code to display the video on your own webpage - which is not a problem. But if you play the video and then press the "menu" button, you will also see on the bottom a horizontal list of "related" videos that YouTube supplies. These videos are provided by a "related" query, that does NOT necessarily include videos from the same channel/owner that you intended. There is a solution to the problem as is demonstrated next...

You must place a special code at the end of the video id as follows (shown in bold): "http://www.youtube.com/v/jVrugjn79XY&rel=0"

YouTube "Playlist" Video Display - on your webpage

The following video players demonstrate YouTube's simple implementation of a "preferred list" on your web page and what functionality options come with it. Preferred lists are created by you and can include videos owned by any user/channel on YouTube, so it is not just content restricted to a department's content. Preferred lists display videos that are centered around a particular subject area that you specify - including any video content available on YouTube that you designate to be part of that list.

With this first player, once the video is playing, if you run the mouse over the bottom area you will see the list of videos that are part of the "preferred list" (displayed in similar manner to the "related query" method shown above, except that this list of videos you can fully control.) Additionally, by clicking the arrows on either side of the video you can move from video to video within the preferred list.

With this second player option, the list of videos that are part of the playlist show up on the right, and without clicking on anything it is evident that there are multiple videos that could be played - probably more intuitive to the casual user. Additionally, you have some ability to change the mix of colors that make up the border of this player.