​Are your streams buffering? YouTube wants to help

YouTube releases the Google Video Quality Report, a tool which shows you how your video streaming quality compares to your neighbors.

Seth Rosenblatt/CNET

YouTube wants more people to watch its videos in high-definition, so to further that goal Google's video giant has released a new tool that analyzes your video stream quality on Thursday.

The Google Video Quality Report is available to people in the US and Canada, where it launched in January. It comparesyour streaming video quality to three standards: HD Verified, when your provider can deliver HD video consistently at a resolution of at least 720p without buffering or interruptions; Standard Definition, for consistent video streaming at 360p; and Lower Definition, for videos that regularly play at less than 360p or often are interrupted.

YouTube said in the blog post announcing that the tool's US availability that they are respectful of its users' privacy, and anonymize the data gathered. The ratings are 'centered around networks, not users,' no user data is stored, and samples are anonymized, the report says of its methodology.

Google says that it will expand the report's range to more countries in the coming months, although perhaps the real solution to the problem will be the expansion of gigabit Internet access in the coming years. For now, the report suggests seven tips for improving your streaming video quality, including some common sense measures such as making sure your roommates aren't hogging your bandwidth and moving closer to your Wi-Fi router.

Google