Addendum
Added 2017-10-04 13:14:41 +0000 UTCA lot of people responded to my ramble video, re: doing more niche content like horror movies or disney parks, saying to just talk about what I like or to put those in playlists. I would do that except:
My hesitance with subseries on my main channel is based on the sub box algorithm. This is the same reason I worry about staying (relatively) topical. Youtube's programming is intentionally mysterious but the general finding is that if you make a lot of videos that your subscribers don't click on, youtube stops recommending your new videos to them, because the sub box has limited space and the algorithm decides they've lost interest in your channel and pushes others instead. When you hear youtubers saying things like, "my subscribers don't even get notified when I make a new video!" that's what's happening there. It's a common symptom of channels that try to flood let's-play videos in between their regular programming.
I won't name names but some really prominent channels struggle with this, gathering millions of subs, but only getting substantial views on the videos that manage to go independently viral - only because they make other "filler" videos which their subs have failed to want to click. On one hand it's good of youtube to discourage low-appeal content, but it's kind of a one-strike system which can be stressful. And doesn't really encourage risk-taking or variety within a channel. By this system it actually makes the most sense to make a million small channels with hyper-specific content formulas to minimize risk - which is obviously its own burden because then you have to try to gather subscribers independently across all of these.
So, while I don't care on an individual level if some videos have slumps in view counts, I do worry about falling out of favor with the youtube algorithm which would hurt the channel as a whole. That's also why I don't do videos announcing con appearances or collabs or whatever, and just use social media for that. People are more likely to read the title of an announcement video but not click. As a content creator it doesn't matter that the quick 2-minute announcement video isn't getting views, but then when you make your next video, 50% or more of your regular viewers might not even get it on their radar. Then, you're relying on those subs to remember to manually check your channel or potentially lose their viewership forever.
I've been lucky in that the algorithm's really favored me so far. The reason the Troll book review suddenly jumped up so many views in the 48 hours is that it passed whatever arbitrary view threshold it needed to get put in the general recommendations sidebar. So, I still obviously make wild card videos on unappealing topics like the Tomorrowland movie which nobody saw, but when I decide on a topic I also try to think about how much I'm rocking the boat.
Anyway the "science" of youtube is really interesting to me and generally discussed amongst creators so I thought you guys might find it interesting as well.
Comments
If you would allow me to misapply a Shakespearean quote: "To thine own self be true." I say, create what you're passionate about, not what gets you the most views. Independent content creators should attempt to fulfill their artistic vision, not strive to become Buzzfeed. But that's just my opinion.
noxteryn
2019-12-28 14:24:51 +0000 UTCHere is an article I found about "the algorithm": https://www.shopify.com/blog/youtube-algorithm If you want to really get nerdy here is an article (referenced in the previous one) that goes into the technical details: https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/research.google.com/en//pubs/archive/45530.pdf
Michael DeBellis
2019-11-10 22:08:19 +0000 UTCThe Algorithm is good! All praise The Algorithm!
2019-03-05 19:06:48 +0000 UTCAre you sure the algorithm still works this way? Red Letter Media seems to be all over the place with content yet still gets suggested to me. I don't like nerd crew and previously recorded yet I still get fed Re View, plinket, BoW, and half in the bag.
HipsterVideo.com
2018-02-10 22:17:59 +0000 UTCDoes that still happen if the video is not public? Like if it's a patron's only video set to private on youtube?
Tyler Samson
2018-01-08 22:22:23 +0000 UTCI think a spin off channel would work well. It has worked for others. It seems most people use a secondary channel as a testing ground or for other interesting content
Nick Steffensmeier
2017-11-28 23:48:52 +0000 UTCThat's interesting. I was thinking you'd slowed your other videos while making Millenial Falcon but they just weren't coming up on my YouTube app.
Rigby Reardon
2017-10-19 05:07:05 +0000 UTCYouTube's insightful recommendations of videos I have previously watched always calms my nerves about our future robot overlords ;)
pix
2017-10-06 02:01:54 +0000 UTCAs far as I know likes are all weighted the same. They're also a visual shorthand in case people are really curious how their content is being received, but do nothing for the success of a video. Views alone determine whether a video gets recommended to people. You'll see really controversial ones, with over 50% or even over 90% dislikes, that still trend because they're proven to have good viewer retention. I think it's kind of funny when people dislike a video with an opinion they don't like and think they're getting their revenge. (That said, if YOU specifically like a a video on your account, youtube will recommend it to YOU personally again on your Watch Again menu. That seems to be the only difference it makes.)
Jenny Nicholson
2017-10-05 08:22:53 +0000 UTCI have! I got to go up there while I was a tour guide. The Dream Suite over Pirates too. Still haven't been in Club 33 though.
Jenny Nicholson
2017-10-05 08:18:08 +0000 UTCI'm involved in a really niche area of YouTube (and I even got on stage to speak at their HQ last year), but I had no idea this sort of thing went on under the hood. Now it makes sense why people often make second channels for vlogs or throw-aways, as not only does it clutter the channel it also can potentially harm its viewership from subscribers!
Daniel Staniforth
2017-10-05 08:05:40 +0000 UTCDefinitely interesting. In that case id watch a second channel. I need one after the guy I watched the most of went down to weekly. Plus I think you would be able to stream your bad horror movies on YouTube.
Domenic
2017-10-05 01:52:04 +0000 UTCWow that's interesting... Now I feel a little bad going through periods of not watching some of the people I support on patreon. While we are talking YouTube science, are likes from subscribers weighted differently than likes from randos? I watch youtube mostly with an Android tablet, and the app makes liking videos quite tedious (you have to drop out of fullscreen, etc), so it has to be especially great for me to think to do that.
pix
2017-10-04 23:46:09 +0000 UTCI also find the "science" of YouTube and its algorithms interesting. I find it's similar to some of the challenges I have writing for Screen Rant. There are numerous topics I'd like to write about, some leaning towards obscure aspects of whatever movie or topic, but we always have to be mindful of SEO and whether it will actually garner clicks and page views. It's self-defeating to put time and energy into a feature article you find interesting only to have it grossly underperform in page clicks. That said, I still strongly advocate for you unleashing your theme park knowledge in a video or two. Disney itself is a subject people are interested in. I know I am. I even just want to know if you've ever seen Walt's secret apartment?
John Orquiola
2017-10-04 17:47:34 +0000 UTCI don't like the idea of a soulless AI telling you or anyone what not to upload. I'm counting on you to outsmart it, but if it ever comes down to having to switch to another platform as many youtubers are suggesting lately, you got a base here and a twitter following. We wouldn't just let you go back into obscurity. Go team humans?
Abel Cassius
2017-10-04 16:54:46 +0000 UTCI had no idea... interesting post.
Ellery VanDooyeweert
2017-10-04 16:25:20 +0000 UTCYep makes sense...sucks that YT does what it does
Jason Wynn
2017-10-04 15:49:19 +0000 UTCWow, I had no idea how much analytical thought goes into what videos you decide to make. Though, making just 1 extra channel for horror videos I think would be successful, it's a niche topic but very popular among the generally young YouTube audience.
2017-10-04 15:32:34 +0000 UTCThanks for continuing to stay engaged with your patrons you’re the best! I don’t think I speak only for myself saying that i’d watch anything you put out but I totally get the politics your working within. You mentioned starting a sort of throw away account for niche themes. I’m here for it!
Daniel Paugh
2017-10-04 15:26:53 +0000 UTCBehind the scenes dirt. Love it!
Fun Kilo @imkilo
2017-10-04 14:23:01 +0000 UTCThanks for posting this, I always find the behind the scenes stuff really interesting. "Won't name names" *cough* Screen Junkies *cough*. I know they dealt with this between their main channel and news channel. They also really hurt their exposure when they had an independent video platform (SJ+) due to their core subscribes not watching on Youtube. Doing private videos that later go public seems to make a lot more sense. If you decide to make a second channel, it seems like a good strategy is having a handful of videos uploaded before anyone subscribes to draw people in once they know about it but not hurt your exposure in the sub box from dumping lots of content. Of course I could be totally wrong and not know what I'm talking about.
Derek Horkel
2017-10-04 13:53:12 +0000 UTCAh, I see. That is interesting. I wondered where all the new viewers and subscribers were coming from. In that case a separate channel or two definitely sounds better. I think most of your regular viewers would be happy to subscribe to another channel but it would depend on whether you found the effort worth it for, perhaps, fewer additional views. It's our entertainment but it's also your job.
Stuart Payne
2017-10-04 13:41:49 +0000 UTC
