Celebrating reaching 10K subscribers on YouTube, I’m feeling extremely grateful (and) reflective about the growing community the platform has helped me connect with.
Most folks receiving this post first became aware of my work via YouTube. If you’re in that group, thank YOU for liking, subscribing, and supporting the channel.
And, I guess, thank YouTube too. If I must.
In case you missed it, me and YouTube have an “it’s complicated” relationship.
More loving than loathing some days. More loathing than loving on others.
My YouTube journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with exhilarating highs, gut-wrenching drops, and a few unexpected loops.
Did I mention I don’t like rollercoasters? Especially the ones that turn me upside down.
When I hit my first 1,000 subscribers, it felt like I had finally cracked the code, like I had finally found a place in this vast “content creator” platform.
But as my channel grew, inching toward 10,000, I was faced with the reality that YouTube isn’t just a platform—it’s a casino and a video game…all rolled into one.
Did I mention I’m not the biggest gambler…or gaymer?
In the beginning, it’s easy to get hooked. Al/Algorithm throws you a few wins—a viral video here, a surge in subscribers there. You start to believe that if you just keep playing, you can beat the system. But the truth is, despite all the experts/gurus and their tips/tricks, just like in a Las Vegas casino, the house always wins.
Sure, you might walk away with some earnings, but the majority stays with YouTube, the casino owner in this metaphor. They rake in billions in ad revenue, they control distribution, and they set the rules, tweaking the algorithm to keep you on the edge, always hungry for more.
For those who qualify for the YouTube Partner Program, the platform takes a 45% cut of all the ad revenue. And while I’m grateful to reach such a large (for me) audience, I do resent Team YouTube’s bots, bullies, and bureaucrats. A helluva lot.
The game aspect of YouTube is just as cunning. Each video upload feels like a new level, with its own challenges and rewards. Via the YouTube Studio Dashboard, you chase the dopamine rush of likes, comments, and subscribers, believing that if you just master the game, you’ll reach the next level of success. And you can…sometimes.
But just like in a video game, the real winners are the game developers and their corporate overlords—the ones who designed the game to keep you playing, investing your time, creativity, and energy while they enjoy the fruits of your labors.
With YouTube Partner Program, it’s important to remember: You’re in a YouTube program, not an actual YouTube partner.
Now that my channel has officially reached 10K subscribers, I’ve had to come to terms with these realities. Their house, their rules. While you can win, the deck is always stacked against you. Most of the rewards stay with the platform, not with the artists and creatives who built what audiences use the platform to watch.
But let’s be clear: Unless YouTube finds yet another reason to strike the channel (three strikes in 3 months and your channel is deleted, by the way) I’m not stepping away from the table. I’m still in the game, still pushing forward.
But I AM changing the way I play the game a bit. See below.
Despite its flaws, YouTube has connected me with an incredible community, allowed me to share my work with the world, and taught me valuable lessons about becoming a better creative in the 21st Century.
The rollercoaster may be wild, but the ride is far from over.
Just fewer loops and loopholes. Hopefully.
Thanks for reading!
Clint
P.S. If you’re interested in past posts about the good, the bad, and the ugh-ly of being a small creator on YouTube, click here.
MY YOUTUBE MILESTONES + ROADBLOCKS
APRIL 12, 2023
Created YouTube ChannelMAY 4, 2023
Posted First Video (now private)FEBRUARY 6, 2024
Posted Love Is Love = The GentsMARCH 17, 2024
Noticed an influx of HUNDREDS of subscribers…thanks to Love Is LoveMARCH 24, 2024
Became Eligible + Applied For YouTube Partner ProgramAPRIL 3, 2024
Accepted Into YouTube Partner ProgramAPRIL 9, 2024
“Community Guidelines” Warning (beefcake video = “The Male Gayze”)JUNE 15, 2024
“Community Guidelines” Strike #1 = 1-week forced “break” (external link)
Expires September 13, 2024JULY 19, 2024
“Community Guidelines” Strike #2 = 2-week forced “break” (external link)
Expires October 17, 2024AUGUST 23, 2024
Reached 10K Subscribers…THANK YOU!!!
MY PRESENT + FUTURE ON YOUTUBE
During my first strike, I started Collide Press Too, a backup/second channel, and was lucky enough to get it monetized within a couple of weeks (thanks to the support of my wonderful subscribers). I haven’t used it much since, but it might come in handy should the bots, bullies, and bureaucrats at YouTube continue to find fault with my main channel content.
During my second strike, I decided to make Substack my creative home base and have been focused on posting more here, both text-based posts as well as exclusive, Substack-only videos.
Since returning to the platform on August 2, 2024, I’ve faced countless (and often daily) instances of CopyFraud (aka Content ID abuse and false copyright claims) and “Ad suitability” issues thanks to YouTube’s censorship and copyright bots.
Frankly, fighting/working with YouTube’s Creator (Un)Support team to try and resolve these issues (which they don’t seem interested in resolving at all) is no longer worth the cost to my mental health, so going forward:
CONTENT ID ABUSES + FALSE COPYRIGHT CLAIMS
I’ll dispute and email, but won’t contact YouTube Creator (Un)Support via chat. I’ll also unlist the video and add it (if it’s not already) to the collection of videos on Substack. Did I mention I’m tired of this shit?
“AD SUITABILITY” ISSUES
Like above, I’ll appeal, but won’t publish new videos with this label. YouTube seems to be running ads regardless, so I don’t want to help them make any more off of my work. (For reference, videos with this label make SIGNIFICANTLY less, sometimes as much as 98% less than comparable videos.)
SHORTS (FOR DUMMIES?)
Shorts is one of YouTube’s “games” I’ve played, albeit begrudgingly, for months. But as of last night, I’ve decided to unlist all my Shorts and won’t be making in anymore. Why? Well, I don’t really enjoy short-form videos. TikTok and Instagram do those better and I don’t use those platforms (very often) for a reason
A (FRACTION OF A) PENNY FOR YOUR VIDEO
Also with 810.3K Shorts views (which is admittedly few in this TikTok-inspired game), I’ve made a grand total of $116.88 to date. Not mad about it, but it’s not worth the extra work. And while I’ve gained 17% of my subscribers via Shorts, YouTube Analytics show these subscribers rarely watch long-form videos. So there’s no incentive to play that game anymore.
Thanks for explaining how YouTube operates! Otherwise I wouldn't have a clue.
Should I put this out there for others to read? I am absolutely not capitalist. Money is not much of a motivator for me. If I have enough to survive then that's OK. I am an idealist and feel appalled that young people ask "Is it worth doing a degree in ......" Worth what? Job satisfaction? Getting a life partner? Pleasing your parents? Making more money than your neighbour?
Deep down, I beleive that education is its own reward - not salary potential.
I have long thought that if people can make a living income on YouTube, for example, then what money is YT making by providing you with a platform? They are using people as their workers to earn YT more money than they pay their slaves. As far as I can see, at least for me, subStack doesn't make any money from having me using their platform. I am not charging anyone for reading what I have written and I am not giving an income to the financial company that handles payments. For me - ideal. It seems that you, who seek income, may get a much better deal here than elsewhere.