Having a video start automatically when a Web page loads can be appreciated or annoying — valuable and destructive, says Sean Knapp, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer or the Ooyala, the big video services company.

Knapp says that the decision to use auto play is based on a number of factors unique to the publisher.  Mostly, he advises against auto play on a home page.

He is a proponent of continuing auto play, meaning after a clip is watched, another clip is served in the same player.  He says that Ooyala's new recommendation engine delivers subsequent videos to be served, increasing consumption.

Andy Plesser