GTL: Youtube Abandons Content Creators In Shifting Algorithmic Landscape
By Twin Galaxies Editorial Staff ·
Is YouTube turning its back on its user base in favor of sponsorship and celebrities? Established users on the site are migrating to other platforms, while aspiring talent is facing the monumental task of building an audience within this changing landscape.
YouTube continues to shift its business landscape on a regular basis, and with more lucrative and stable platforms like Twitch coming into play, it might finally be causing its user base to abandon it. On this epsiode of Game Talk Live, Mandie Roman discusses the state of YouTube and content creation with help from an expert panel of guests including Jon Brence of Fullscreen, content creator and streamer Vincent Cyr AKA IamCyr, and Eliot Dewberry of ETC Show
In tackling the topic, the panel considers the differences between Twitch and YouTube; the benefits, drawbacks, and intentions of both; and the growing pains that have occurred with YouTube's platform over the years. Consideration of YouTube's "phases" come up, including the cover music era, the growth of prank videos, and the trend of gaming content on YouTube.
The subject of demonitization on YouTube also comes up. With various videos becoming an unsustainable craft via revenue on YouTube and marketing and adspace becoming a bit more scarce, the panel debates why some users are exploring Twitch more thoroughly or going to Patreon to gain a more stable income.
"[@YouTube has] the money, but they’re not willing to spend it– especially in the #gaming space. @Twitch is a company that... care about its users, and that’s why you’re seeing a mass exodus over there." -@EliotETC od @ETCShow
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) May 23, 2018
Watch Live: https://t.co/ETNpcyYMEi#YouTubers pic.twitter.com/EHOCNZiMtY
With respect to the kind of content coming out on YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms, the consideration of diversification comes into play. Each panelist discusses their personal approach to the content they were making along with how they've changed with the constant shifting of algorithms and requests in order to build an audience.
Moreover, the panel speaks to what it takes to maintain an audience. Each guest expresses their experience in balancing time across various platforms like Twitch and YouTube, but also social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Can a content creator spread themselves too thin? Is it good to keep a spread out presence or focus on some particular avenues to gain your audience?
"It's always important to keep yourself open to additional platforms that come up– even if you can never see yourself on it." -Vincent Cyr
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) May 23, 2018
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/ETNpcyYMEi#streamers #YouTube #YouTubers #Patreon #twitchtv pic.twitter.com/64imbVJ4sg
Next up on this episode of Game Talk Live, the panel discusses the subject of content copyright. Recently, YouTube creator ___ attacked fellow creator ___ for allegedly sniping their content style. Panelists discuss how much a claim ___ has, along with consideration of just what can be considered content theft and copying and what is simply building off of what's already been done.
Moreover, the discussion includes the algorithms of YouTube based around copyright claims, content strikes, demonitization and more. The nerve-wracking experience of uploading videos and dealing with all of the negative possibilities that can come of various demonitizing and copyright issues. There's also the matter of the systems and the fact that these very important factors are controlled by automated systems that are far less than perfect. The panel debates what it would take for YouTube's content review systems to become more user-friendly.
This episode of Game Talk Live has wrapped up, but you can catch it in its entirety in the embeded video above. Be sure to catch the previous episode as well where guests how Cosplay has become a business with artists elevating their craft from a hobby to a career.