I promise, this video belongs here

Does YouTube feel different lately? Are you getting recommended content you're not interested in? Maybe even this video? Are you finding YouTube Search to be a complete mess? Are you irritated and perhaps even frustrated with YouTube's "algorithm?"

Well, you are not alone, and I have the answer and explanation to all of these concerns and questions. I'm dead serious. There's an explainable answer to all these issues, so let's get started.

Here are the chapters for this video. Feel free to jump around accordingly:

0:00 Introduction
1:38 Minor Ways YouTube Feels Different
3:15 Major Ways YouTube Feels Different
5:22 Creator Example 1
7:34 Creator Example 2
8:48 Why YouTube Feels Different (The Facts)
11:48 What YouTube Needs To Do

Note:
I deliberately leave the channel icons and video titles on each video for reference in case anyone wants to see the full videos featured in these documentaries. If anything is unclear, or for additional references, please reach out, and I will happily provide a link to any of the following content discussed, featured, or used as a b-roll in the video.

Copyright Note:
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.

Music:
All songs featured in the video are from:
- YouTube's copyright free music library.
- Or some of Ian Taylor's incredible music. Please check out his music on Spotify if you are into that style. I cannot emphasize enough how good the music is.

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Creators note:
Hello, my name is Zackary Smigel. I've been creating YouTube videos since I was a kid. I started YouTube full-time about five years ago. You might have seen me from Real Estate License Wizard, where I obtained 60,000 subscribers and over 5 million channel views. I have since left that channel for creative pursuits, and this is my first crack at starting something new. I'd appreciate a like and subscribe if this content interests you and I captured your attention for even just a few moments.

This is my tenth video essay using this style and format. Over the last 10 videos I have learned a lot. This video, was a bit different than my others. This is a bit more of a controversial topic and I was a bit hesitant to make this video so we'll see! Hopefully you guys enjoy.

Thanks so much for watching,

Zackary Smigel

#youtube #videoessay #zackarysmigel

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Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more engaging video essays and commentary!

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[faydimbleby]

One of my main issues with YouTube more recently is that I'm scared to click on a random video that interests me, because then it will be all I'm recommended for weeks.

[moraalli]

I want YouTube to recognize that just because I engage with travel content, it doesn’t mean I no longer want to see video essays and cooking videos. It’s like the algorithm thinks you can’t have more than one interest at the same time.

[Symphonicrockfran]

This guy hacked the algorithm just to tell us how the algorithm sucks. He's a genius.

[LyxiLynnn]

This is only getting worse over time too. I feel like especially lately I've been spending more time scrolling on YT than watching videos. Getting the same recommendations, seeing things I've already watched (but without showing it??), and lately getting a lot of videos with a max of 100 views with bad quality content. I enjoy the low-stakes variety that comes with YT, I don't really like watching shows or movies as much. Not sure what to do at this point. (yes I searched this video cuz it was getting that bad and to make sure im not crazy)

[SarahSuperFox]

I completely agree. YouTube has become constraining and instead of feeling free to explore content I’m actually interested in, I’m seeing only a small selection of what YouTube thinks I like. Very annoying.

[thenamesmimic]

I have literally never seen this man before in my life but he's spitting straight fire facts.

[commander-fox-q]

Personally the worst aspect of it for me is that sometimes you’ll find one of these random videos interesting so you watch that one video and then suddenly for ages the algorithm thinks that niche is your favourite thing and will fill your entire page with similar videos even if you never click on them and aren’t still interested in the subjects or content types

[arihantkumbhat]

I actually searched why Youtube is getting boring and I got your video, whatever points you mentioned are absolutely relatable and correct!

[Silly_Billy]

i thought i was crazy at first. now i know otherwise. im glad some small channels are recommended to me though cause i found two people who deserve way more support.

[zandikaa]

Youtube just feels stagnant. I feel like I can't actually find new things because it either recommends things I've already seen, people I'm subscribed to that I'll watch anyway, or stuff that is completely irrelevant to my interests. No matter what it just feels like I'm going in a loop.

For context of how I got here though, I'm pretty sure I was recommended this because I always watch similar videos. So even with this, youtube still isn't giving me new things to explore that would broaden what I find interesting.

[matthewmcwane]

The only part of YouTube’s algorithm that I hate is that when I’m watching a video, the recommended videos underneath it are now completely UNRELATED to the video that I’m watching, and those videos are basically the exact same videos I would just see in my home feed

[vescenti]

I'm definitely experiencing this. It also seems like youtube's "memory" is getting bad; I have watched a large variety of content, predominately targeted towards young people. Recently, though, I've been watching a few embroidery and sewing videos. Youtube seems to have forgotten everything about me and mistaken me for an elderly lady! a few videos out of the ordinary and know I can't find anything else I'm in to. And I'm getting ads for makeup that look good on wrinkly skin (so old people), even though I'm a teenager!

[Tokechan]

Another thing the algorithm is doing that annoys me a little is it only shows me stuff I've been into recently. I tend to go through phases, so it'd be nice if it at least factored overall watch history in a bit instead of just assuming my latest interest is now my only interest forever until I manually search out other things I like again/specifically choose from my subscribed tab.

[valentynacubillos]

I knew I wasn't crazy and finding something interesting in YouTube was being a massive struggle

[maddiemcnugget]

The one that annoyed me the most is the fact that I would search a video that I KNOW EXISTS and then YT would suggest 3 random videos then give me some "for you" videos like... whaaa? I'm glad this video got big and arrived to my recommends. You deserve it.

[makalayoung]

I have no idea why this was recommended but I agree. The search not letting me strictly search the subject is honestly infuriating and has our family thinking of cancel our YouTube premium plan. YouTube has been getting worse since around 2017, I remember they changed the home page and the way subscriptions work and how they show content. I am super sad, wish things would get back to the way they were when YouTube was in its earlier years

[RedPandaNinja]

Explains why YouTube has felt so bland to me lately. I open it, see a bunch of content I don’t really care about, and give up. It feels like a chore to watch YouTube now more than ever. Not to even mention the terrible search function. All these content platforms keep sterilizing themselves to be more marketable and it’s ruining them. On the bright side, this social media apocalypse is making me want to pick up a book instead for once.

[tinalute]

I’ve definitely found it harder to find videos I’m interested in. I feel like YouTube used to be really on point at recommending videos I’ll like. Now it just feels… stale. You explained why really well.

[Runix]

One thing I really hate, is how the algorithm tries to force short-form videos down my throat. I rarely watch anything less than 20 min, but it keeps recommending shorts and 2 min videos.

[tinkerlynch]

My biggest beef right now is keeping the videos or programs I've watched reposted WITHOUT the red line under them to show I've already watched them !!! If it's within the last month I can usually remember I've watched them. I find it extremely frustrating and a waste of my time !!! As for watching YOUR video, I specifically watched it in hopes you would be a legit source of information and was not disappointed. I am 70 years old, consider myself computer literate, and watch a lot of videos on new trends, subject matter, and interest of the younger people to help me understand their generational culture and give me a better understanding of conversations I have with neighbor kids, great grand nephews/nieces, etc. I realize my age group isn't your target range, but your posts do help tremendously in understanding younger minds, their slang, abbreviations, etc. Thanks so much.