Google Video Is Shutting Down by the End of This Month

Yesterday, Google has sent its Google Video users an email which saying that Google Video is shutting down by the end of this month and videos uploaded by users will disappear later this month.

This action is assumed to be taken about five years ago. Google Video was launched in 2005, when users uploaded their videos via client-side application, not via web page. Google Acquired video-sharing website YouTube in October 2006; since then YouTube has developed fast and quickly become the world largest online video portal, which rendering Google Video site pretty much useless. Since May 2009 Google Video wouldn't accept new video upload any more and offered a download button which enables users could download their own videos.

Before April 29 videos on Google Video are still could be downloaded. However after May 13, 2011, the download feature will be disabled.

Here's the email Google sent its Google Video users:

Dear Google Video User,

Later this month, hosted video content on Google Video will no longer be available for playback. Google Video stopped taking uploads in May 2009 and now we're removing the remaining hosted content. We've always maintained that the strength of Google Video is its ability to let people search videos from across the web, regardless of where those videos are hosted. And this move will enable us to focus on developing these technologies further to the benefit of searchers worldwide.

On April 29, 2011, videos that have been uploaded to Google Video will no longer be available for playback. We've added a Download button to the video status page, so you can download any video content you want to save. If you don't want to download your content, you don't need to do anything. (The Download feature will be disabled after May 13, 2011.)

We encourage you to move to your content to YouTube if you haven't done so already. YouTube offers many video hosting options including the ability to share your videos privately or in an unlisted manner. To learn more go here.
Here's how to download your videos:

1. Go to the Video Status page.
2. To download a video to your computer, click the Download Video link located on the right side of each of your videos in the Actions column.

Once a video has been downloaded, “Already Downloaded” will appear next to the Download Video link.

If you have many videos on Google Video, you may need to use the paging controls located on the bottom right of the page to access them all.
Please note: This download option will be available through May 13, 2011.
Thank you for being a Google Video user.

Sincerely,
The Google Video Team

Off topic:

Want to download YouTube for free? You can use the free tool Leawo YouTube Downloader. Besides, Leawo Video Accelerator is an excellent online video accelerator for free, you can check it.