Interested parties have figured out how to manipulate the results of Google’s much-promoted video search functionality, which was only released last month.

Vision of video search

The Cloud Video Intelligence API uses machine learning to analyse and auto-generate labels for video content.

Launched in March, it was Google’s first public display of their ability to trawl filmic content in the same way they already search words in pages of text.

Black hat video SEO

Researchers from the University of Washington have discovered how to fool Google’s new tool.

They did so by periodically inserting a photograph into videos in a way that would be detectable by the algorithm but imperceptible to most viewers.

Where next?

Historically, Google’s been harsh on folks who use technical exploits to rise in search rankings. It’s a justified defence of content makers who are actually focussed on their audience more than tech manipulation.

Expect Google to iron out such exploits as they’re uncovered.

As algorithm tweaks improve video search itself, Google is also likely to punish content producers who seek to rise in search results in any way other than serving the interests of their audience.

Would you use this to tweak views? And is it a good long term strategy? Let us know in the Comments.

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