What Is A Face to YouTube???

I look at the data to try to ascertain what is in the mind of YouTube and why it promotes my videos so unevenly. Is it all about an upset voice coming out of a human face? You be the judge!

- Music by Fran Blanche -

[EEVblog]

A possible algorithmic penalty for deleting a video is interesting, first I've heard of that, but certainly possible and wouldn't surprise me.

And does the algorithm promote talking head videos, a fascinating thing to experiment with. Maybe some form of controlled A-B test is in order, but I'm not sure about the best way to do that.
As for more views for the rant videos, people do like rants and following drama, so I'm not convinced that's a Youtube algorithmic promotion thing.

[vwestlife]

My channel has a similar number of subscribers and focus on electronics as yours, and most of my videos get between 10, 000 and 20, 000 views, so either we're both doing something wrong or that's just the norm for us. But I have noticed that my videos whose titles are phrased as a question (such as my "Is really THAT bad?" series) are often a big hit. So it seems that YouTube's algorithm sees that as an invitation for curiosity and engagement and promotes those videos more than normal. And maybe YouTube just likes rant videos because they serve as catharsis for people who've always wanted to speak up about something but aren't able to.

[tonydemaria]

The FRANT Channel is born!
Fran ranting 24/7/365 live from the asbestos filled lab in the basement, LIVE!
Exponential Drama Daily!!!

[grantcampbell]

This is also something that I found out about book publishing, back when I was working in a book store. Books with covers that have a person's face on them sell more than books with covers that don't show faces. Why? No clue. Just an observation.

[modrobert]

Monetize all, rant sometimes, and use face shot inlay frame/box when narrating bench devices...problem solved...

[EpicATrain]

Ever since your first rant video, you're now consistently being recommended to me, even though I haven't even subscribed to you. Since your rant video, I've watched 8 recommended by YouTube Fran videos pretty much in their entirety plus one partial.

[Fireship]

Sometimes I get notifications, sometimes I don’t. I’m always on YouTube (it’s like my nightly TV) so if you release a new video, I’m going to find it. That’s the plus of having loyal fans, they don’t need no stinking notifications! We’ll always be around and waiting for your next YouTube goodie!

[BlackWarriorLures]

Me lady, you've stumbled upon one of the great principle of videography and cinema: Get close enough to see the whites of their eyes. People want to see faces. Have you ever watched a movie that doesn't show people's faces? You have to understand that YouTube is a motion picture medium, and all the hard won lessons of movies, T.V. and video apply.


So, you can either fight 100 years of hard-won cinematic principle, or you can use it to grow your channel. Do a segment where you show your face even on the bench videos. It doesn't all have to be rants, we just want to see you.

[BKBrunelle]

Years ago I use to put up videos.I stopped because I didn't feel I could keep up with the quality of those in a community of youtubers that where showing more imagination than me. Fast forward to today, and I seriously take my hat off to you for keeping up with these insane production expectations of Youtube, The only thing I could possibly suggests and only if its possible is do split screen were one half the screen shows your face and the other shows the bench, or have the editing as such where you flash back and forth between you and bench. That aside, I like your videos on all the retro stuff. The Apollo computer will always be the one that blew me away!! and I loved the tear down of those instruments. It was a real eye opener.

[khaoscero]

"YOU WONT BELIEVE THIS OLD TECH" with face on the thumbnail.
Guaranteed clicks :|

[wolvenar]

Like Mr Carlsons Lab, start your videos with a sit down close up explaining what your project is, what your plan with it.. do the bench part, then finish up with a conclusion with you on video again close. Sadly, long into and outro face times close on may be needed to game the algorithm.

[JawTooth]

I noticed the same thing on my channel. I put my face on the camera and I get a lot of views and subs. Some ppl say I am just trying to get attention by showing my face but if I don't put my face in my videos, I wont get many views. I put my 2 little girls in a video and I got 5 million views.

[WesBrownStories]

Linus Tech Tips came to the same conclusion a couple of years ago and all of their thumbnails have his face in it. If it didn't the viewership was way off.

[sparkyprojects]

I think i've learned that to be popular, you have to be controversial, blow thing up, or own a cat
Just don't go blowing up a cat, you'd be controversial, but would go viral for the wrong reasons :D
Maybe you should have another camera pointing at your face when doing electronics, and insert it into the corner ;)
I don't get notified for any vids (on purpose), i just check my subs page several times a day

[AngerAndScience]

I've heard other youtubers mention that their videos which have a face in the thumbnail do a lot better. I don't know if that's a Youtube thing, or if humans just prefer to click on faces than not faces.

[jackd.ripper]

I started watching after seeing you were a musician. I didn't pretend to understand a lot of the electronics videos, but enjoyed them and the tear-downs and explorations of various machines. There is something to be said about simply being attracted to your intellect. I subscribe to a number of channels of both women and men just because I find their intelligence and communication skills compelling. That's what I get here from you. I don't always watch your electronics vids. I didn't watch the Zaaxon one but I always click on your 'facetime' vids. I will watch more of your others now that I understand what YouTube is doing.

[cgoad]

I have no knowledge of the ins and outs of YouTube, but one thought was that your "rants" are touching the nerves of a lot of people with similar problems and they're just glad to see and hear someone vocalise on those topics.

I'm one of those who "discovered" you through BigClive, and I'm really glad to see and watch your channel. I am subscribed, but I don't have notifications turned on. Personally, I find them annoying, especially because of the number of channels I have subscribed to.

Please don't give up in the new year! You've survived this long, and I can only see the channel growing as more people become aware of it. All I can say is: "Hang tough Fran. Things WILL be better once you've resettled in new quarters, and the "background noise" (if I can call it that) of moving, etc. goes away. You'll be a lot less stressed. Stay with us loyal viewers! We need you and your channel."

[BajanAlan]

The description of your chanel does not mention ELECTRONICS

[rogermckenzie]

Dino summed it up well with his comments. I came to your channel via Big Clive's bump and I was hooked. You have a lovely persona and while I have no idea how YouTube figure things I just know what I like to watch, and listen to. Stay strong and keep up the good work!

[JimLeonard]

All new videos by creators show up in the subscription feed -- no bell required. I haven't missed a single video in years. The bell is only required if you want a push notification, which isn't always guaranteed. However, these facts aren't very well-communicated by YouTube.