Hulu vs. YouTube - Will Design Decide the Winner?
Written by Gino on 11-12-2008 - 24 Responses
I recently read an Article on the NYTimes website which talked about the success of Hulu in hosting popular TV shows and movies and they mention how YouTube is trying to move in on that game. There are many reasons I think YouTube will have trouble with this, but the NYTimes writer made an effort to point out how Hulu had a much better design and was easier to navigate by far.
In order to show this comparison they compared the American Glaiators Page on YouTube to the American Gladiators Page on Hulu. I will let you decided whose page looks better, but I think the winner is pretty obvious and that’s a big plus for Hulu.
As a designer I found it refreshing to see some one point out how very important design truly is for user experience. I have always believed a website design can make or break a site in certain aspects and I think this could be very true for Hulu and Facebook and even reminds me of the MySpace vs. Facebook.
I believe MySpace got very large, out of control and messy looking and then Facebook came into the game and was way better designed and cleaner and I think this is a large part of the success of Facebook. I see the same thing happening to YouTube.
YouTube is getting very big and messy looking and while Hulu currently specializes in TV shows and movies as opposed to mass user generated videos, its become a huge name in the online video industry. Once again I believe this is largely do to the sites beautiful and innovate design, clean navigation and overall simplicity.
How do you guys think the design of YouTube’s site will shape its chances of competing with Hulu?
Biju Subhash
Blake | November 12th, 2008
I think you meant American Gladiators on Hulu instead of Facebook.
Danny Tatom | November 12th, 2008
I’ve always felt youtube was a poorly designed site. And it doesn’t help that the comment system sucks to the point of comments being rated down for no reason and/or every video starting a racist flame war.
I don’t see them doing too much to make it better, though. It seems like they’d rather roll out new features and partnerships then fix or updates whats already there.
Gino | November 12th, 2008
Thanks think I fixed it
1deomatik | November 13th, 2008
I think your absolutely right. Sites like YouTube and MySpace require users (especially unfamiliar ones) to sort of dig through all the excess of their affiliates and new ways to display the same thing. Sites like Hulu on the other hand cut straight to the point while maintaining an amazingly attractive look. But do you think this could change after Hulu has been around the block and has a more significant ammount of partnerships and gimicks? I hope they stray away from that sort of thing personally.
Dreams | November 13th, 2008
I was going to make the same analogy how YouTube is the MySpace of video sites. Just because they were first and the biggest doesn’t mean they are better. Don’t forget that you have sites like FanCast around the corner too.
Julien | November 13th, 2008
One thing that slows down Hulu is that they ban non-US viewers. Youtube has the whole world watching. You can go through a proxy, but it slows down the connection so much that it ain’t worth the effort. (and from a designer point of view, Youtube has a lot to learn from Hulu).
Stefan | November 13th, 2008
Quality on the video will decide who wins. And YouTube have already lost there.
If YouTube doesn’t get the same video quality, they will not stand a chance.
CreadorDeSitios | November 13th, 2008
Hi boys.
HULU.com only can be watched in United States, I`m from Argentina, and I can`t used it. For this reason, YouTube, is the really winner to me, and to be honest, hulu`s web page isn`t beatyfull, looks like a e-commercer shop or something. Too much white and formally.
Sorry, my vote:
YouTube.
Design and functionality (vs. Hulu)
kb03 | November 13th, 2008
I’m not entirely sure if the comparison between hulu and youtube is entirely appropriate at this point. Yes, youtube is getting sloppy, and it’s layout is making it difficult to focus on the 2:00 minute video clip, and IF they go to the format like hulu or tvshack then it has the potential to become a mess. BUT Hulu is designed for a viewing experience, not full interaction and “over-action” through out the site.
And as for myspace and facebook, Facebook HAD a clean layout and user friendly interface, but now the new format involves a lot of extra clicking to find the same info that a simple scroll used to solve.
As you mentioned, though, it is refreshing to hear about people’s concern for effective design.
Gino | November 13th, 2008
1deomatik - Yes it seems like as sites get older sometimes they pile on too much stuff!
Gino | November 13th, 2008
Julien - What is the reason for this ban?
My only guess would be to cut down on bandwidth usage until they can monetize the site better? Their sponsors are currently probably more interested in US traffic?
Gino | November 13th, 2008
kb03 - I agree about the new facebook I hear many people say they do not like it as much, but hey I am sure they tested it so maybe more people like it then don’t unfortunately =/
Donald R. Anderson | November 13th, 2008
This is the first time I’ve heard of hulu. Looking at the layout, yes hulu looks better and more friendly, but because of the differences in how they are used it really can’t be compared against youtube on the apples versus oranges basis. Youtube still offers the community aspect and the ability to have tons of users load personally made videos. They remain independent functions in my mind.
Internetagentur München | November 13th, 2008
Its the first time that I hear about Hulu. I can’t imagine that they will become more popular than YouTube. YouTube belongs to google as far as I know - and I am sure that they have the right marketing people to ensure the market leadership of YouTube as they are also leaders in other fields.
Tim Smith | November 13th, 2008
I totally agree. I recently heard of Hulu and I love it. Hulu in my opinion is light years away from Youtube and the video quality is exceptional.
kb03 | November 13th, 2008
Gino- I noticed that during the transition period, while they were slowly moving the profiles and account to the new form, you had the option of utilizing the ‘new’ or ‘old’ style. I know myspace gives you a similar option and has for quite some time.
Does it, or would it affect the whole entity that is FACEBOOK, if they simply gave us the option? My work is mostly print design and don’t have much experience with the back end of web and it’s structure. Maybe you’re right, maybe they tested a sample, but I still feel that (with all those i have talked to) the old way requires much less work to navigate and become involved with.
Jon Williams | November 14th, 2008
I don’t think YouTube looks that good actually. When you’re dealing with a massive volume like these 2 sites, cleaner is always going to be better for the end user experirence. The faster you can find the video you want the better. Hulu wins in my opinion.
Logo Design UK | November 15th, 2008
As I live in the UK I am unable to view the videos on HULU.com
I like the idea of YouTube having competition though as this will mean better videos for everyone as the two sites compete with one another. Thank you for the post.
Alex | November 17th, 2008
I live in Australia, so Hulu, as good as it may be designed, is not for me, for now. So I guess I will be rocking out on youtube for the moment.
Timothy | November 18th, 2008
can i write in a vote for vimeo? much better design, just the search capability needs to be increased. the quality is amazing as well. but if i have to vote for one i’m going with hulu.
Rasterfield | November 18th, 2008
In this (your) case, Hulu is the winner, though I am living outside of the U.S. I have to go with YouTube. I don’t have much problem with watching YouTube Content, but I don’t like Channels. Their channels are hard to follow and read.
The design must include information where must be, also content hierarchy on a page.
Branden | November 20th, 2008
I sort of feel like this is a comparison of apples and oranges, but to answer, I think Hulu’s design will definitely catapult them in taking the market for streaming video in the entertainment realm (tv, films) despite the attempts of YouTube to get in on it. YouTube will be a major force still though for many years to come, but for different reasons.
Rory Jacobs | December 4th, 2008
I prefer “VIMEO” over both. Though it doesn’t have nearly the content of YouTube, a lot of it’s content is of quality.
Eric | December 9th, 2008
I prefer Vimeo as well. The one thing that youtube has, and will most likely never lose is the power of Google on its side. Until then, I doubt youtube will ever be in danger.