Can you believe it? YouTube 18+ & Demonetised this video

If you've been wondering why I haven't shared as much expressive content on YouTube, maybe you should read this post.  I've been "fighting" against censorship (so much over the past 2-3 years) on Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, etc... As a woman, I think reviewing clothes, or trying on swimwear shouldn't be considered 18+ content and equal to having your work's reach completely cut from your viewers, on top of having your monetization shut down. Keep in mind that YouTube gives itself the right to advertise on all content no matter what.

I feel exploited by these platforms and by many brands that don't respect the creators involved in the success of their businesses. Reaching out to their teams has basically never helped, all it really did is open my eyes to how sexist and/or dishonest they really are making their platforms (specifically YouTube and Instagram).

If you recognize the footage above, I shared this video as a final test of the YouTube algorithm's BS and was not surprised at all (again..). This footage is from a longer video that I shared this summer (which received a similar treatment). The video was put to 18+ automatically the very first time I tried to upload it and even though I had manually turned all monetization OFF. Out of curiosity I re-uploaded it and chose to tick the 18+ box myself to see if anything would change reach-wise once released. As you can guess nothing did except I made it easier for YouTube to limit my reach to my own subscribers.

Now, this is only a micro-example. It would take an entire book to explain all sorts of scenarios I've had to deal with as a creator on YouTube (and I'm sure so many other creators have). I just wanted to let the few of you who care know that I'm reaching my limit. After years of adapting to a machine's dictatorship on top of an audience that didn't necessarily care about any other videos than the ones featuring my body. I'm tired as an artist. 

I feel stripped of my artistic spirit and I've been trying to juggle with creating content and taking micro-breaks but it's not working anymore. Once you start the youtube game it's a no-break type of job. My work is constantly happening even on Christmas, birthdays, weekends, at breakfast, before bed, you name it. I know I'm not a famous YouTuber but it's all the same if you're a serious content creator. Any content that you see being shared is hard work and time-consuming to produce, package, and share. Add to this all the things around one piece of content like collaborations with brands (who also exploit creators btw) and just the extra work around keeping this business alive, like interacting as much as I can with viewers and supporters like you guys on Patreon. Doing exclusive shoots for exclusive pics, voice memos, answering questions, etc. All of this takes energy and love.

If it wasn't for censorship I would have endless energy but I've literally been drained of my love and creative juice for this job right now. 

I don't know what I will do right now because I just need time to rest my mind and finish planning my wedding (or should I say properly start), help my family, and re-connect with things I loved doing.

I will keep on making content for you Patrons as much as possible because without you I wouldn't have been able to go so far. But if I don't share as much on YouTube anymore OR if I partially or completely change the type of videos I share from now on, at least now you know why.