According to market research firm Hitwise, Google Video trails behind YouTube and MySpace in the highly-coveted online video market, with the popular user-generated submission site garnering nearly half of online viewers. Social networking site MySpace ranks second with 20 percent, while Google claims only 10 percent of the market.
Google’s lackluster market share prompted the company to acquire YouTube for $1.6 billion in stock in October.
In a press release from Google, the search engine said it would tighten its integration with YouTube, but continue to run the site as an independent subsidiary. For its part, Google will continue to support YouTube by providing the site with access to search and monetization platforms. Google also will help YouTube establish an international presence.
“Google Video will become even more comprehensive as it evolves into a service where users can search for the world's online video content, irrespective of where it may be hosted,” a company spokesman said.
Ars Technica writer Ken Fisher said today’s announcement ends widespread speculation that Google would bring YouTube videos directly to its search index.