Has youtube gotten more aggressive?

[WelshBloke]

People should also be allowed to express their political views, whether it's conservative or liberal. It's stupid to go and sensor one more than the other.

Of course they should. Google doesn't have to let them do it on their property though.

 

[CZroe]

Of course they should. Google doesn't have to let them do it on their property though.

The issue is that even the people who are producing what Google wants are less likely to do so if they fear Google could screw them over on a whim sometime down the road with a few lines of code to tweak their algorithms, a new ToS Edit, or a new interpretation/enforcement of vaguely defined existing ToS terms. All their investment. All their hard work. All their planning for the future. Google actively courts content providers and said content providers have a right to be upset if they put their eggs in that basket at Google's insistence only to have the rug ripped out from under them.

As it is, lots of long-term science, review, and debunking videos are being hit hard by SJWs who just want to go on believing ignorant things. They flag, Google assumes it's controversial, and the video gets demonetized automatically. They appeal, Google points to their vague ToS and hides behind something vague and nebulous, like "offensive content" (some people are offended by the truth).

RedLetterMedia, EEVBlog, Nostalgia Critic, Thunderf00t, and so many more have these issues.

 

[FelixDeCat]

The issue is that even the people who are producing what Google wants are less likely to do so if they fear Google could screw them over on a whim sometime down the road with a few lines of code to tweak their algorithms, a new ToS Edit, or a new interpretation/enforcement of vaguely defined existing ToS terms. All their investment. All their hard work. All their planning for the future. Google actively courts content providers and said content providers have a right to be upset if they put their eggs in that basket at Google's insistence only to have the rug ripped out from under them.

As it is, lots of long-term science, review, and debunking videos are being hit hard by SJWs who just want to go on believing ignorant things. They flag, Google assumes it's controversial, and the video gets demonetized automatically. They appeal, Google points to their vague ToS and hides behind something vague and nebulous, like "offensive content" (some people are offended by the truth).

RedLetterMedia, EEVBlog, Nostalgia Critic, Thunderf00t, and so many more have these issues.

I mentioned the new trend of demonitization of non centrist videos earlier. One thing to keep in mind however is 3rd party advertising networks are still available. So just because you do not earn money from Adsense, there are alternative advertising networks that monetize videos on Youtube, but they do have their own policies.

I think its the way certain nutty "9-11 was an inside job" type videos get monetized by ****ACTORS**** like that lunatic Alex Jones.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/apr/17/alex-jones-infowars-founder-is-playing-a-character/

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wow EEVblog did get hit pretty badly. Tried to start a new sub channel, it immediately got terminated. This is speculation at this point but people are figuring it's because it had the word Discovery in it, so probably too close to Discovery Channel. Also had some videos about the Voyager spacecraft, Voyager is also a Star Trek Series. So basically trademark/copyright infringement. US IP laws are freaking ridiculous. Somebody needs to start a competitor to Youtube and host it in a country that is more free. Canada would be slightly better but I would not hold my breath here either, our government seems to be trying to copy or even outdo the US as far as legislation goes these days. You should see the new drone rules... they're basically illegal everywhere now.

I don't think it would be very hard to start a site like YT, the problem is the massive amount of bandwidth and processing power you need. YT is actually a loss for Google, the only reason they can keep it going is because they're so big and have so much server floor space for all their other services, so it's a drop in the bucket.

 

[Rubycon]

I don't know about ads but I find this particularly disturbing!
I don't care if he cannot sting.
Those mandibles are formidable and FFS listen to that thing!!!

 

[CZroe]

Wow EEVblog did get hit pretty badly. Tried to start a new sub channel, it immediately got terminated. This is speculation at this point but people are figuring it's because it had the word Discovery in it, so probably too close to Discovery Channel. Also had some videos about the Voyager spacecraft, Voyager is also a Star Trek Series. So basically trademark/copyright infringement. US IP laws are freaking ridiculous. Somebody needs to start a competitor to Youtube and host it in a country that is more free. Canada would be slightly better but I would not hold my breath here either, our government seems to be trying to copy or even outdo the US as far as legislation goes these days. You should see the new drone rules... they're basically illegal everywhere now.

I don't think it would be very hard to start a site like YT, the problem is the massive amount of bandwidth and processing power you need. YT is actually a loss for Google, the only reason they can keep it going is because they're so big and have so much server floor space for all their other services, so it's a drop in the bucket.

Yeah! After mentioning his past problems several hours earlier, I see his most recent upload from an hour ago...
https://youtu.be/YWo9xDKXKq4

Speak of the Devil, right?

This guy has half a million subscribers and has almost purely technical/scientific/educational content. No doubt, this will get noticed by his friends who actually work for Alphabet/Google/YouTube and he'll get some help, but what chance do others have before they get to be his size?!

Any time YouTube refers to content providers as "partners" I'm going to be laughing out loud. This is how they treat some of their biggest "partners!"

 

[Exterous]

Or Google wants YouTube to be for music and funny cat videos rather than stuff that's bound to scare off a bunch of their advertisers?

You think Google wants its services full of trolling and crazies arguing all the time?

You must not read the comments if you think crazies and trolls don't post on music and cat videos

 

[WelshBloke]

You must not read the comments if you think crazies and trolls don't post on music and cat videos

TBH I don't use YouTube a great deal and I hardly ever read the comments because of the state of them. I assume that that's something Google wants to change.

 

[WelshBloke]

The issue is that even the people who are producing what Google wants are less likely to do so if they fear Google could screw them over on a whim sometime down the road with a few lines of code to tweak their algorithms, a new ToS Edit, or a new interpretation/enforcement of vaguely defined existing ToS terms. All their investment. All their hard work. All their planning for the future. Google actively courts content providers and said content providers have a right to be upset if they put their eggs in that basket at Google's insistence only to have the rug ripped out from under them.

As it is, lots of long-term science, review, and debunking videos are being hit hard by SJWs who just want to go on believing ignorant things. They flag, Google assumes it's controversial, and the video gets demonetized automatically. They appeal, Google points to their vague ToS and hides behind something vague and nebulous, like "offensive content" (some people are offended by the truth).

RedLetterMedia, EEVBlog, Nostalgia Critic, Thunderf00t, and so many more have these issues.

I guess Google have balanced that with the audience that is being put off by a certain culture that exists on YouTube.
I know a lot of people with a decent disposable income and the lack of technical knowledge to block ads who would be horrified by the general attitude on YouTube. I assume that Google has worked out that it's more profitable to make its product attractive to them rather than a bunch of skint teenagers, trolls and basement dwellers.

 

[tynopik]

another article on it:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/17/arts/youtube-broadcasters-algorithm-ads.html

 

[nakedfrog]

Yeah! After mentioning his past problems several hours earlier, I see his most recent upload from an hour ago...
https://youtu.be/YWo9xDKXKq4

Speak of the Devil, right?

This guy has half a million subscribers and has almost purely technical/scientific/educational content. No doubt, this will get noticed by his friends who actually work for Alphabet/Google/YouTube and he'll get some help, but what chance do others have before they get to be his size?!

Any time YouTube refers to content providers as "partners" I'm going to be laughing out loud. This is how they treat some of their biggest "partners!"

FWIW, the top comment on there is now from EEVblog about how that sub channel is back up.

 

[Rifter]

What youtube adds? I use a DNS level adblocker i havent seen a youtube add in months.

 

[CZroe]

FWIW, the top comment on there is now from EEVblog about how that sub channel is back up.

Right. As one of the big channels with half a million subscribers, he has the personal contact information for the YouTube regional manager over Australia and Pacific Islands (he operates from Australia). What about the up-and-comers and everyone else who will inevitably encounter the same issues with no recourse?

 

[ch33zw1z]

I haven't seen anything politically motivated for YouTube ad's. I get quite a few beer and alcohol ads, script meds, and other "buy me" stuff.

I watch some political stuff, but mostly music and cat videos

 

[CZroe]

Wish I could tell Google to stop wasting everyone's money on beer ads since I don't drink. It should be part of Google's user profile.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I use them as a lesson for the kid's, lol. The beer ad's make it seem like life is so awesome....it's good to bring up discussions with.

 

[nakedfrog]

Right. As one of the big channels with half a million subscribers, he has the personal contact information for the YouTube regional manager over Australia and Pacific Islands (he operates from Australia). What about thebuo-and-comers and everyone else who will inevitably encounter the same issues with no recourse?

Don't know, don't care.

 

[CZroe]

Don't know, don't care.

Wasn't really asking that. I was just saying that the information you presented, while great for EEVBlog, isn't comforting at all for the up-and-comers or most anyone else in the same situation considering that they are still left with no recourse. Making a larger point for everyone here who might think it's less of an issue or isn't aware of the extent of the issue.

 

[nakedfrog]

The extent of what issue? YouTube controlling who makes money on YouTube?

 

[Ichinisan]

The extent of what issue? YouTube controlling who makes money on YouTube?

Clearly using bots with faulty algorithms to make decisions.

 

[nakedfrog]

Clearly using bots with faulty algorithms to make decisions.

I can understand why they'd default to more strict algorithms, I don't know that "faulty" is an accurate term, but if they're doing so, it may well be that the appeal process could be improved.

 

[MetalMat]

I use adblock, never see ads except one I am on youtube on my phone.

On a side note I know that youtube generates a crap load of money through ads but are they operating in the black?

 

[Ichinisan]

I can understand why they'd default to more strict algorithms, I don't know that "faulty" is an accurate term, but if they're doing so, it may well be that the appeal process could be improved.

It counted his own re-uploaded videos across his 2 channels as "copyright infringement" when HE is the copyright holder.

His account was supposedly banned for "multiple repeated severe cases of copyright infringement."

That's a flawed algorithm. Period. Someone like me would have no recourse in the same situation because I wouldn't have the clout to have personal contacts at YouTube.

 

[Ichinisan]

I use adblock, never see ads except one I am on youtube on my phone.

On a side note I know that youtube generates a crap load of money through ads but are they operating in the black?

I have Purify installed as a content blocker for iPhone Safari. No ads in Safari. That's the main reason I don't use the mobile app.

I do get YouTube ads on my Apple TV though.

 

[CZroe]

The extent of what issue? YouTube controlling who makes money on YouTube?

The issue of their partners and content makers being unable to commit to the partnership under such unreliable terms. If no one can make sense of what happened to cause this, how can they be sure not to run afoul of it? How can they be sure before they commit enormous resources or quit their day job?

Google is the one trying to convince content creators to partner with them and now they are scaring them off faster than they can attract them thanks to example after example like this one. That isn't the first time EEVBlog has had issues as evidenced by the fact that I mentioned his issues before this one happened. He still has many demonetized videos despite being a purely science/technology/education channel. All his work was done because Google promised to hold up their end of this bargain... until the suddenly and without warning, inexplicably, don't.

How do they expect to court content makers in an environment like that?