Google is the most popular video source for Europeans

In the UK and Europe, as in most of the connected world, Google ranks at the top for online video viewership. A new report from comScore, which has launched a European version of their video metrix, shows Google sites as number one in France, the UK, Germany and in Canada, too.

by Kristina Knight

“Recent years have seen an explosion in online video viewing, not just in the U.S. but globally, representing a robust online advertising opportunity for marketers,” said Jack Flanagan, executive vice president of comScore.

The initial report found that there are 28 million viewers in the UK, 27 million in Germany and 24 million viewers in France. In all three countries, more than 80% of the online population are video viewers.

Moving a little closer to home for American advertisers, Canadian consumers are flocking to the online video space. More than 19 million unique users are part of the video population. They have streamed more than 2 billion videos and each user viewed at least 100 videos during the reporting period.

With more consumers logging on to watch videos online, advertisers should not discount online video ads. Though this sector of the ad space is still developing, consumers have indicated a willingness to watch ads in exchange for free content. Pre- and post-roll ads make up the majority of ads currently but as the sector develops more advertising opportunities will develop as well.