Comment on YouTube tests removing viewer counts — here’s what we know
Ironfacebuster@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
As someone who tries to regularly post videos on YouTube I think this would help me, since I’m sure many people (including me, unfortunately) avoid low view count videos.
But I can absolutely understand why you wouldn’t want it hidden. I’m sure this will lead to major misinformation clickbaiting (as if that isn’t already a problem!), but I believe that the view count will still be visible on the view page.
Is YouTube doing it with small creators actually in mind? Who knows, other than them?
Is YouTube doing it with small creators actually in mind? Who knows, other than them?
I am pretty confident in guessing that they are not doing it for selfless reasons. Imo the reason is that the less information they give the user, the more you are beholden to the algorithm choosing for you.
That makes sense. Youtube has mixed more and more small channels with low views into my feed for a couple of months.
I’ve watched a couple of those, they were really good.
And the comments are all “How does this have so few views?” while it has 10 times more than subscribers.
I subscribed to quite a few small channels recently.
I’m no fan that they try to show me 14 year old videos all the time, though.
I don’t avoid low view count videos because…say I get a notification that RedLetterMedia has just published a new Best of the Worst. It’s been live for 4 minutes. Of course it’s going to have a low view count.
I’m looking for a repair video on the specific make and model of Dell laptop I have. I’ve seen exactly two of them in existence, not a popular model. It’s going to have a low view count.
I think it is useful information to have, it shouldn’t be entirely hidden like the downvotes are, but I don’t think it’s necessary on the home page.
Date uploaded though…that needs to be there.
Yeah, I agree that it shouldn’t be hidden entirely, and luckily as it stands now it’s still visible on the view page if it’s hidden on the home page
misk@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
I don’t like this idea for the opposite reason. I’m one of the people who are suspicious of videos with millions of views since most of them look manufactured. We all use view counts to gauge if a video is something we’re after, probably in more ways than we can come up with.
If it gives you any encouragement - I’m not discouraged by view counts. I know I like niche stuff and give small channels a try. It’s a chance at having more genuine interaction. As long as a video is not off-putting due to bad diction or very bad production then I’m not going to back out and see what it is about.
Ironfacebuster@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
That’s fair, and I’m more inclined to believe people on Lemmy would agree with your view thankfully! A lot of high view videos are for sure manufactured, and from what I can tell usually target children.
I guess we’ll see how the landscape changes if this sticks around? We’re all along for the ride, for the most part!