TubeMogul InPlay is a video analytics service used by major online video platforms like Brightcove and Viddler. For a long time it’s also been available, at no cost, to individual video publishers. But this week, TubeMogul announced via email to InPlay subscribers that the service will be shutting down…at least for individual video publishers…by the end of October. It seems those that pay for the service will be unaffected and everything will continue to work as normal.
Here’s the text of the email that was sent:
To Whom It May Concern,
I’m emailing to let you know that we are planning to stop offering free video analytics. We made this decision so we can focus more resources on our video advertising platform for brand advertisers. Other free video analytics services include Google Analytics and Mochibot Flash Analytics. Alternatively, our analytics come built-in to the Brightcove online video platform. We plan to shut down the service by the end of October but if you need more time just reach out.
Sincerely,
Marco
This is bad news for small business owners who have relied on InPlay for their video analytics (like me). In fact, I liked InPlay so much that I integrated it into my do-it-yourself video hosting platform, Video Rebel.
But it’s also a lesson on the Internet in general; if you’re not paying for it, don’t expect it to be there tomorrow. When something is given away on the Internet, without being subsidized in some way…and especially when it comes to video…it’s common for it to suddenly disappear.
So what alternatives are there to InPlay? The most viable is probably Google Analytics. But integrating analytics, Google or otherwise, into a video player can sometimes be a bear.
If that’s over your head, online video platforms like the recently introduced Vimeo Pro can give you the analytics you’re looking for. In fact, I recommend Vimeo Pro over the Tubemogul recommended platform, Brightcove. You get a lot more bang, for a lot less buck.
Got Videorebel.
Like it, now that I figured out how to use it properly.
Will you be modifying to add alternatives to TM?
Thanks.
@Robert – We’ll update Video Rebel with an alternative to InPlay…but only if we find an alternative we feel is good. Right now Google Analytics would be the best choice, problem is it’s weak when compared to InPlay.
Hi Dave
Its certainly not a deal breaker when it comes to purchasing video rebel – I was about to place an order! But it is a shame.
Have you seen the video analytics that getclicky.com supply – could this be an alternative?
best wishes
Jez