PSA: Youtube is a garbage service and doesn't deserve your money

Despite being bought by Google

No idea what you're talking about. I have never had an issue with Youtube after using it for 19 years.

The problem is that YouTube is essentially a monopolized platform for free online content, so even if you know and accept it's a garbage service run by garbage people there really aren't many alternatives to switch to. Which can become an even more difficult thing when you're consuming most of your media content from them because you've dropped cable TV and most streaming services are kind of shit.

No idea what you're talking about. I have never had an issue with Youtube after using it for 19 years.

• I use Blocktube on desktop to filter out all videos that are older than a week old.
• I use SponsorBlock to block all ads on desktop.
• I use uBlock Origin to block all ads everywhere.
• I use ReVanced on Mobile to get sponsor block + ad block on my phone.
• I use desktop notifications to be notified for certain Youtube channels.

Blocktube
SponsorBlock
uBlock Origin

I couldn't give a crap about "content creators". I watch videos. I watch a lot of videos. Probably 12+ hours a day of Youtube.

* I use Blocktube on desktop to filter out all videos that are older than a week old.
* I use SponsorBlock to block all ads on desktop.
* I use uBlock Origin to block all ads everywhere.
* I use ReVanced on Mobile to get sponsor block + ad block on my phone.
* I use desktop notifications to be notified for certain Youtube channels.
I experience no issues. Nobody in this thread has expressed any issues that I can see. Just PEBCAK. I would suggest installing the above plugins and learning how to use them. I do not experience being unsubscribed from channels. I do not experience anti-adblock issues.

I have some uBlock filters that make a few further tweaks as well, like making thumbnails smaller and removing that "includes paid promotion" banner from them.

I love Youtube but the enshittification is real.

I use all of these plus:

YouTube Search Fixer - Removes video suggestions and other irrelevant sections from search results
DF Youtube - Removes some distractions like the recommended video side panel
Return YT Dislike - Returns dislike counts (I'm aware that it isn't totally accurate but it's better than nothing)
Youtube Shorts Block - Converts shorts into normal videos
Youtube High Definition - Forces the video player to use the highest resolution available
Youtube Comment Search - Makes comments searchable

I have some uBlock filters that make a few further tweaks as well, like making thumbnails smaller and removing that "includes paid promotion" banner from them.

I love Youtube but the enshittification is real.

I use all of these plus:

YouTube Search Fixer - Removes video suggestions and other irrelevant sections from search results
DF Youtube - Removes some distractions like the recommended video side panel
Return YT Dislike - Returns dislike counts (I'm aware that it isn't totally accurate but it's better than nothing)
Youtube Shorts Block - Converts shorts into normal videos
Youtube High Definition - Forces the video player to use the highest resolution available
Youtube Comment Search - Makes comments searchable

I have some uBlock filters that make a few further tweaks as well, like making thumbnails smaller and removing that "includes paid promotion" banner from them.

If I ran a channel like that I would tell my audience to absolutely not act like that.

You'd probably find yourself on the wrong end of the algorithm for doing so.

Yet, a two minute video of nothing but a blue fish got a million and a half views within a couple days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3cryiz8nJo

The problem with youtube and similar platforms is that they intentionally string along hopefuls who aren't famous yet, but maybe could be by praying to the Mighty Algo hard enough.

Occasionally, things go viral all on their own and that's enough to catch the algorithm's attention. Broadly, though, yes, less successful creators have to take pretty much every advantage they can get if they want to stand on even ground with the millions of others doing exactly the same thing in hopes of catching the algorithm's limited attention.

obligatory reminder that Dailymotion and Vimeo exist.

Even the successful ones use clickbait titles and thumbnails.

partially because they do still need to appease the algorithm

Yep. That's partially because that's just the brand they've built up on the road to success, and partially because they do still need to appease the algorithm to remain successful.