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YouTube Algorithm Can Decide Your Channel URL Now Belongs To Someone Else

Posted by timothy on from the spartacus-gets-really-confusing dept.

An anonymous reader writes: In 2005, blogger Matthew Lush registered "Lush" as his account on the then-nascent YouTube service, receiving www.youtube.com/lush as the URL for his channel. He went on to use this address on his marketing materials and merchandise. Now, YouTube has taken the URL and reassigned it to the Lush cosmetics brand. Google states that an algorithm determined the URL should belong to the cosmetics firm rather than its current owner, and insists that it is not possible to reverse the unrequested change. Although Lush cosmetics has the option of changing away from their newly-received URL and thereby freeing it up for Mr. Lush's use, they state that they have not decided whether they will. Google has offered to pay for some of Mr. Lush's marketing expenses as compensation.

9 of 272 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Are computers taking over? by QuasiSteve · · Score: 5, Funny

    Since when did we decide that it's OK for computers to make those type of decisions--and not allow human beings to reverse it?

    Nice try, computer! Your font betrays you.

  2. Re:No it doesn't by Bongo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thats quite a feat, subtracting 2005 from 2015 and getting 8. Hope you don't do IT for a living.

    It's an off-by-one error.

  3. Re:Never heard by fph+il+quozientatore · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's quite popular in Europe. Try to get an European girlfriend next time.

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    Hell Segmentation fault

  4. GO HOME YOUTUBE, YOU'RE DRUNK by idbeholda · · Score: 3, Funny

    Seriously, they could have at least picked a different account name other than "LUSH".

  5. Re:No it doesn't by sconeu · · Score: 4, Funny

    He's just thinking in base 8. Remember, base 8 is just like base 10... if you're missing two fingers!

    --
    General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
  6. Re:Are computers taking over? by alexhs · · Score: 4, Funny

    Since when did we decide that it's OK for computers to make those type of decisions--and not allow human beings to reverse it?

    They didn't say "computer" but "algorithm".

    In fact, I can give you a sample of the algorithm actually used :

    When following conditions are met :
    - entity A gives you $$$$$$$ for URL X
    - URL X currently belongs to entity B
    - entity B gives you nothing for URL X

    Then give URL X to entity A.

    If entity B complains more than THRESHOLD, give it $ to shut up. (I wanted the cent sign, but even ¢ isn't accepted by slashcode)

    --
    I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of killer sig, which this margin is too narrow to contain.
  7. Re:No it doesn't by capntao · · Score: 5, Funny

    is that the rule of no thumbs?

  8. Re:No it doesn't by mwvdlee · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's an off-by-one error.

    You're off by one.

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  9. Re:Never heard by FranTaylor · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sorry, all my girlfriends are Canadian.

    so then you must be well acquainted with the word "lush"