Dr. Tube's Strange Love

Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Algorithm

Based on my whack-a-doodle dreams last night, I think it’s safe to say I’ve watched one too many videos about becoming a better YouTuber lately. Especially before bed.

Channels and content creators, big and small, produce videos, long and short, about how to make (and keep) “The Algorithm” happy. There are several browser extensions and freemium services dedicated to maximizing your content.

The YouTube Partner Program has created not only a plethora of educational and entertainment content, it’s become ground zero for the same type of influencers, jargon, and “news” that most business industries are full of these days.

Yes, it’s a BIG business. Bigger than Hollywood wants to admit. But still, the “but I’m an expert-guru” type of content makes me cringe.

And yet still I watch…cuz I wanna learn.
Gotta play if you wanna stay, right?

At least I am sometimes clear about the circle-jerk-ness of talking about “The Algorithm” like it’s anything but YouTube trying to make as money possible by making the most number of people happy.

YouTube has an entire channel dedicated to sharing how (and why) they do what they do. And from my limited pov, they seem to be telling the truth. The whole truth? That’s yet to be determined…or at least figured out.

YouTube’s analytics can be fun to look into, but I’ll be the first to admit I only understand a fraction of what’s available.

Old dog can learn new tricks. But math is hard.

When bar graphics and percentages make my eyes blurry, I tend to revert to making basic lists to help see things clearer if not clearly.

Here are two such list of the most recent Videos and Shorts I’ve made and published:

VIDEOS

1. Men For All = Reasons & Seasons (Photomontage)
   TRT: 13:28 | Published: 06.09.24 | Views: 28K

2. Whatta Man = Ed Fury (Photomontage)
   TRT: 8:41 | Published: 06.08.24 | Views: 7.6K

3. Bros + Bromances = Love Is Love (Photomontage)
   TRT: 17:01 | Published: 06.11.24 | Views: 8.8K

4. Affectionate Men Colorized (Photomontage)
   TRT: 14:29 | Published: 06.07.24 | Views: 4.4K

5. Boys Will Be Boys = Having Fun (Photomontage)
   TRT: 12:27 | Published: 06.12.24 | Views: 3.5K

6. So Many Men + So Many Mustaches (Photomontage)
   TRT: 27.58 | Published: 06.13.24 | Views: 3.1K

7. Mr.  Gay CA + Mr. & Miss Gay SF 1974 (Newsreel)
   TRT: 13:05 | Published: 06.08.24 | Views: 2.1K

8. Gender Splendor Colorized (Photomontage)
   TRT: 5:31 | Published: 06.07.24 | Views: 0.4K

9. Vigarne = The Wings (1916 = Swedish Silent Film)
   TRT: 53:03 | Published: 06.12.24 | Views: 0.2K

10. Affectionate Women Colorized (Photomontage)
    TRT: 3:29 | Published: 06.07.24 | Views: 0.1K

SHORTS

1. Men For All = Reasons & Seasons (Photomontage)
   TRT: | Published: 06.11.24 | Views: 2.4K

2. Men For All = Reasons & Seasons (Photomontage)
   TRT: | Published: 06.11.24 | Views: 2.0K

3. Boys Will Be Boys = Having Fun (Photomontage)
   TRT: | Published: 06.13.24 | Views: 1.3K

4. Men For All = Reasons & Seasons (Photomontage)
   TRT: | Published: 06.11.24 | Views: 1.3K

5. Boys Will Be Boys = Having Fun (Photomontage)
   TRT: | Published: 06.13.24 | Views: 1.2K

6. Men For All = Reasons & Seasons (Photomontage)
   TRT: | Published: 06.11.24 | Views: 1.0K

7. Boys Will Be Boys = Having Fun (Photomontage)
   TRT: | Published: 06.13.24 | Views: 0.6K

8. Study II Hallucinations (1952) Clip
   TRT: | Published: 06.13.24 | Views: 0.5K

9. Study II Hallucinations (1952) Clip
   TRT: | Published: 06.13.24 | Views: 0.5K

10. Pride Flag Scarves
    TRT: | Published: 06.12.24 | Views: 0.2K

What do these lists tell me?

• Most Popular: Male-focused photomontages

• Least Popular: Everything else

• TRT (Videos): 10-20 minutes

• TRT (Shorts): 30-60 seconds

While I will continue to experiment and make videos I’m interested in making, it’s still good to see clearly that Dr. Tube’s love may seem strange, but it’s really very simple: Make stuff the audience you have enjoys. And YouTube will help you find more like them. Make stuff they don’t and YouTube won’t show it to anyone.

Now that that’s cleared up (or at least clearer) maybe I can stop watching those videos and start dreaming about more fun stuff.

Thanks for reading!
Clint

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