In an awkward public feud between Google and Amazon, the former has decided to block YouTube, its popular video streaming app on Echo Show and Fire TV devices. This means that users of these Amazon devices can no longer access the YouTube app.
Google further criticized the retail giant’s unwillingness to promote certain Google products.
As expected, the clash between the two companies hasn’t gone down well with end users and industry experts. While Google blames Amazon for not carrying Google products like Chromecast and Google Home on its online retail hub, Amazon justifies the move on the ground that these Google products are direct competitors to its own devices. The spat brewed over Google Home – smart speakers and Home Assistant.
Amazon called this an unfortunate decision on Google’s part, further stretching that the move would negatively impact its image. The company also claimed that it is hoping to end the friction soon. Furthermore, Amazon comforted its users by saying they can access YouTube via any web browser until things are sorted out between the two monoliths.
From a marketing point of view, the stakes are high for Amazon as its voice-controlled devices have so far surpassed the alternative presented by Google.
In an official statement, Google said “Amazon doesn’t carry Google products like Chromecast and Google Home, doesn’t make (its) Prime Video available for Google Cast users, and last month stopped selling some of (our sister company) Nest’s latest products.”
“Given this lack of reciprocity, we are no longer supporting YouTube on Echo Show and Fire TV,” Google said. “We hope we can reach an agreement to resolve these issues soon.”
Looking at the history between the two, this break-up was inevitable. In 2015, Amazon had removed Chromecast, Google’s television player and Apple’s TV player off its retail website. While it has since mended ties with Apple, things haven’t gone as well with Google.