UPDATE: Views from this page may not count!

YouTube claims not to count views from embedded videos on a loop (Apparently, we're not the first group of fans to try this).

To prevent spammers from beating the system, YouTube is pretty secretive about how they count views. Here's what we know about viewing TBS on YouTube and Myspace and what we're still trying to find out:

1. YouTube has measures in place to prevent "spammed" views. This probably explains why it's harder to increase the YouTube view count than the MySpace count and also may explain why TBS has more views on MySpace than YouTube.

2. YouTube may not track multiple views from the same IP address (aka, the same internet connection), so even manual REFRESHing may not do any good. If multiple views DO count, we don't know whether there's a maximum number of views within a given time frame before the views stop tracking.

3. MySpace views are still a total mystery, but considering our REFRESHing got the video to 1.9 million views for Zac's birthday, I believe all/most of our views are being counted on MySpace.

Stay tuned for new developments as I continue researching this!

So, what CAN you do to increase view counts? Here's my advice:

1. Focus on MySpace if you're REFRESHING on your own. Any new/first-time views (i.e. views from a new location/different internet connection OR views from someone who hasn't seen the video, like a friend on Facebook) should be linked to YouTube, since YouTube may not count multiple views from the same location but definitely counts new/first time views.

2. Go to various locations and view the video on MySpace and/or YouTube. Could be an internet cafe, library, school, a friend's house, or even on a computer at the Apple store! (This is asking a lot, but a view from a new location = new IP address = a definite view count)

3. Connect to your neighbor's wifi and view the video if there isn't a password on the connection (What they don't know won't hurt them, right?). This will definitely increase the play count because switching internet connections changes your IP address.

4. Keep this page open as often as possible. Although these views probably aren't counting, it doesn't hurt to let it run in the background if your computer is on!

5. Spread the word about TBS! Share links to the YouTube and/or MySpace video wherever you can, including on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and related message boards (music forums, tech forums, and celebrity gossip forums immediately come to mind). You can also comment on related blogs. TIP: If you only share one video, make it YouTube.

6. Embed the video in your MySpace or Facebook profile or website/blog. I recommend embedding the YouTube video instead of MySpace.

Have another idea? Need technical help? Post a comment and I'll get back to you!

TBS YouTube video looped

What is REFRESH?

For anyone not in-the-know, Hanson has evolved quite a bit since their MMMBop days. They've released several albums over the years and have a dedicated fan base.

Thinking 'Bout Somethin' is Hanson's first single off their latest album Shout It Out. The video has gone viral and inspired flash mobs everywhere (even at weddings!)

Zac Hanson, the band's drummer and youngest member, turned 25 on October 22nd and challenged Hanson fans to watch and REFRESH the TBS video until it reached 1.9 million views on MySpace. If we reached that milestone before his birthday--which we did!--Zac promised to let his brother Taylor (keyboards and lead vocals) smash a cake in his face and stream it live on Hanson.net (Check out the cake-smashing video here).

Now, Hanson fans have a new challenge: Watch and refresh the TBS video until it reaches 1 million views on YouTube and 2 million views on MySpace before November 25th. The reward? A live streamed Christmas special.

And that's where REFRESH ...or don't! comes in. We have the YouTube video embedded on a loop so you don't have to REFRESH!

Keep this page opened in a tab (or two... or twenty!) and sit back while the play counts skyrocket on their own :)