this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2023
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Google's algorithm has forced people into using click bait thumbnails and titles. If they don't attract more views and subscribers, then their channels are not pushed.
I think a bigger problem is they demonetize and depromote any video discussing a controversial or kid-unfriendly topic. This affects the actual content.
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Are you implying that content creators don't themselves want more views and subscribers? Of course they do!
"They only use thumbnails and titles that get views and subscribers because if they don't... they won't get views and subscribers since Google isn't pushing their content."
That's what it sounds like you're saying.
I think the point is that you can't get more views by being genuine and honest, as the algorithm awards griftiness
You can, it’s just exceedingly difficult.
I mean, you just aren't going to get as many views if you don't. Veritasium has a video on it, regarding his rubber balls video.
Linus also mentioned it, he said he hates doing it but the clickbait videos significantly outperform others.
I never said otherwise, but it is possible to be successful without the clickbait. There are a few creators that have managed it. They would just make more money if they went with clickbait.
The point is that channel growth, clicks and interactions as a metric is used more for suggesting videos than relevancy and the likelihood that someone will watch a video to the end.
This creates a click bait arms race between creators.
isn't the whole point of running a YouTube channel to get views and subscribers?
You decide for yourself which videos to click. I usually only watch channels of which I know they will deliver.
It's real easy to solve this problem by just not pushing videos with text, arrows, symbols or reaction soyfaces in thumbnails. The issue is that they push all of that to the top and push everything else to the bottom.
The only way to win the game, is to not play in the first place unfortunately