Youtube Algorithm
Added 2024-05-29 01:49:57 +0000 UTCI've been hearing that many channels are losing views due to the algorithm, particularly in the movie reviewing community. I tend to hear things like that peripherally off and on throughout my years as a Youtuber. But lately it's been feeling like a big topic of discussion in the Youtube world, and I've received a few DMs/comments regarding it. Many content creators are frustrated and unsure what content to put out in order to generate interest. For me though, my views and subscriber count never seem to be affected negatively by any new trends, nor have I ever really changed my formula, other than reviewing more relevant movies. The videos have always appeared the same overall, and I've never had a significant dip in subscribers and/or viewership. Ever since I've started taking it more seriously, it's been a slow incline upward, with your typical slow periods. I always expect it to one day stop, but that hasn't even come close to happening yet. I've never begged my audience to watch a new video, or to like and subscribe. Nor have I ever blamed my audience for why certain videos don't do well. I bring this up because this is all behavior I've been noticing with content creators who are struggling. I understand desperation, particularly if it's your main source of income or something, but it's not a good look. Youtube will screw you over now and again, and you gotta prepare for that, and not place all your eggs in one basket, is how I've always wanted to look at it. Be ready to adapt as the internet is a tough place full of curve balls that could massively affect any of us. I guess I am wondering what the deal is? I don't want to jinx it but, why does mine never seem to have any dramatic changes in viewership compared to most?
I am really hoping with this post that people won't use it as an excuse to excessively compliment me or anything like that. I'm not trying to fish for compliments. I'm genuinely trying to understand how these things work as an ignorant person, and why I always feel like this weird outsider channel that just keeps doing the same thing. I am aware I could be doing much more, but that's not the discussion I'm trying to have. As I tend to be pretty aware of all that, and have talked about it at length.
Comments
I feel like A lot of Film Podcasts on YouTube have become a drag. The algorithm might be effecting them but I know I unsubscribed from a bunch. The YouTube channels that depend on Hollywood delivering Blockbusters are probably trending down because Hollywood has been flopping. Not many people are searching for this years movies in YouTube so the algorithm probably isn't prioritizing those channels. I believe Deepfocuslens hasn't been effected because this channel was built on a love of cinema and not just the Hollywood hits of today. Its also hard to find reviewers with opinions that are consistent and who have done the knowledge to actually know what they're talking about. So when people find a reviewer they can trust, they tend to stick around.
Fillmore Pockets
2024-05-30 06:05:04 +0000 UTCI’m not a YouTuber so I’m not certain but, as you said, the internet is a highly unpredictable thing and it simply can’t always be controlled in the way we want. I think it’s very smart to have a back-up plan in terms of other ways of making money.
Shane Palamara
2024-05-29 17:26:49 +0000 UTCAll good info to hear. I have no doubt that what you're saying is at least an influence in some form on Youtube. But Youtube seems to always been adjusting and it affects certain channels here and there. I guess I just don't pay attention enough. I am used to making the kinds of videos I know will generate attention, followed by one that won't but it's more for me and for the cinefiles. If a video doesn't do well on my channel, but I expected it to do well I just go "Damn. That was a lot of work. Welp...better luck next time." That's as far as it goes to me. It would be so cringe of me to be like "Hey guys...would you please be better at clicking the content I work so hard to put out? Would you mind sharing it and telling all your friends to subscribe?" I just find that really sad and lame personally.
Deepfocuslens
2024-05-29 16:58:44 +0000 UTCThank you so much for this input. You're very well-spoken. I think you guys are right about the copyright stuff, which I didnt really consider for this. I just find it interesting going back to what you're saying about how box office is struggling. I mean...it's been struggling for years. Movies aren't what they were. I didn't feel that this year was any different. Movies that don't do well in theaters, still tend to do pretty well as a review on my channel. For instance, Indiana Jones bombed. Yet that's my most watched video by far on my channel. Furiosa bombed, and yet that video is doing quite well. I often find that box office is not necessarily indicative of how well a video will do.
Deepfocuslens
2024-05-29 16:52:52 +0000 UTCI don’t think it is YouTube specific. Google (who owns YouTube) had a “helpful content” update in October that has devastated anyone outside of tech-corporate bubbles. My friend runs a video game review site and before the update they had enough traffic to generate $6,000 a month in ad revenue. It went down to $500 after the update and has since reached dollars and cents. The algorithm greatly prefers “established sites” like Reddit threads about an article rather than the article itself. (https://x.com/azariosays/status/1795512272611348632?s=46). I imagine something similar is happening on YouTube. This is pure speculation but I know Google integrated their AI summaries into search and they probably entered a consideration of preferring data from trusted sources to avoid junk summaries. The rollout of that functionality has been terrible so I wonder if they’re making a lot of changes to emphasize its prejudice against low-trust channels. I can’t remember your channel ever giving a review score or any indication of a movie’s value beyond “I liked it” or “I struggled with it.” So you may be outside the typical algorithm for similar channels. It’s more movie discussion than evaluation. You’ve always had high engagement on videos and I doubt you have any reports so that probably translates to higher trust.
Arthur Augustyn
2024-05-29 11:57:07 +0000 UTCHope all that doesn't sound elitist! As others have pointed out, I think another reason the algorithm favours you is your lack of interest in using copyrighted materials (background music or movie clips or whatever). Youtube seems to be conducting a jihad/purge in this respect at the moment, and I know of many channels that've been forced to remove swathes of content for minor (and often opaque) infractions...
Matthew Ryder
2024-05-29 06:18:47 +0000 UTCThe Almighty Algorithm respects you because, unlike all the other trembling supplicants, you don't pay it obeisance. You don't do any of the things deemed "necessary" to build an audience. No flashy editing. No theme music or jingle. No summary score or "thumbs up/thumbs down" easy dichotomies. You don't adjust your style for "likes". You don't plaster your thumbnails with absurd OTT slogans and come-ons ("Stunned!!" or "Best movie evah!!!!"). Unlike many review/reaction channels, you don't trade in ego stroking, feigning love for the 'popular' things people type into their search simply to validate their opinions. So why do the people keep coming back for more? Well, when they search for "Movie x" and "review", your channel delivers exactly what's on the tin. You offer actual opinions, not reheated studio propaganda. You dare to disagree with conventional wisdom. You are articulate. You have a profound knowledge and love of film history. You challenge your audience. You have something to say. I believe there's still a large audience of cinephiles out there hungry for intelligent debate. This group will slowly find you if you just keep doing what you do. Other channels are taking a hit because I think big budget movies are waning in popularity at the moment. (Exhibit A: the box office failure of Furiosa, by all accounts a skilfully made popcorn chomper that would've filled theatres to capacity in the past.) Your stuff appeals not to the "average" moviegoer who might be increasingly inclined to stay home and binge a tv show, but instead to the hardcore cineaste type whose love of film is well established and unlikely to fade away. It's the reason your channel kept growing during Covid (I'm guessing!) whilst others fell by the wayside.
Matthew Ryder
2024-05-29 06:00:52 +0000 UTCyeah maybe. I used to follow this one Youtuber who covered mma. He was getting millions of views. But then the copyright claims changed, and it meant that all of his videos with UFC clips had to be taken down. And all of his videos were nothing but UFC clips. This is part of why I don't even bother with clips of any sort. So as to never be flagged, or never in trouble. But also...lazy lol. But yeah, now that same Youtuber is still making content, but he took a maaaassive dive in viewership. But again...thats the way of the game. And the way he whined about it to his audience, put me off a bit. But yeah...in those instances I can understand.
Deepfocuslens
2024-05-29 03:19:11 +0000 UTCHey if the movie review thing goes south , you could always do prank videos lol. . like farting on people
swift minus one
2024-05-29 03:13:35 +0000 UTCInteresting. I'd say never being flagged could definitely be a contributing factor for why you're not experiencing anything. If some of the creators you're talking with haven't ever been flagged either then its probably random and you're one of the lucky ones. I've also seen cases in the past where Youtubers with similar content have differing experiences with Youtube regardless of subscribers or views.
Stephen
2024-05-29 02:55:27 +0000 UTC2. both bigger and smaller ones
Deepfocuslens
2024-05-29 02:48:54 +0000 UTC1. never flagged
Deepfocuslens
2024-05-29 02:48:40 +0000 UTC2 Questions: 1. Have you ever had a video flagged for any reason? 2. Are the other creators you're hearing from bigger or smaller than you in terms of subscribers? In the past with other Youtubers I've noticed that if they are deemed controversial and have had multiple videos flagged or strikes that that may play into it. In other cases, it sounds like the algorithm is simply random, and some creators are luckier than others. I've also noticed that smaller channels tend to be the ones that have more difficulties with Youtube than the bigger ones who in some cases have a relationship with someone at Youtube.
Stephen
2024-05-29 02:43:08 +0000 UTCIt's seems more likely to affect channels with several 100k or millions of subs where their videos are normally seen by tons within the first few hours of uploading. You don't get tens or hundreds of thousands views that fast for your vids so those dramatic changes shouldn't happen to you. Also, like David said, you have a niche format and works great for long term recognition unlike the more popular channels that expect all the views immediately.
Wolfman Brandon
2024-05-29 02:34:44 +0000 UTCyeah good point. I forget sometimes how long I've done this lol
Deepfocuslens
2024-05-29 02:09:40 +0000 UTCYes, but you’ve probably been on YouTube twice as long as the others. Your followers are going to be more loyal.
David Martino
2024-05-29 02:05:50 +0000 UTCThat's what I always assumed. I was never after views, but more after subscribers that would be loyal overtime. I just wonder why now it's becoming such a negative thing for people. Some aren't making massive changes or trying to pander, and yet it's still affecting them.
Deepfocuslens
2024-05-29 02:02:55 +0000 UTCYou’ve found a strong niche doing reviews in a unique style that is intellectual and takes no prisoners. You probably won’t get an avalanche of new subscribers, but the trend will continue to rise as more people find you. As they say, slow and steady wins the race.
David Martino
2024-05-29 01:59:23 +0000 UTC
