Problems with YouTube. Some of the most prominent content creators for games like Destiny 2 believe: There is a curse upon them.
The Adpocalypse Came in April
In April 2017, something happened that is now known as the “Adpocalypse.” At that time, companies that advertised on YouTube realized that their ads were being shown before videos with which they wanted nothing to do. Imagine a cola ad flashing before a video that denies the Holocaust or promotes the use of weapons.
Back then, some companies were horrified and pulled away from YouTube. This hit the YouTube corporation where it hurts: in the wallet.
Since then, algorithms have been at work, “de-monetizing” videos. This means: no ads are shown anymore and the YouTuber no longer earns money with their content.
Gaming YouTubers Are Particularly Affected by the Measures
The problem: This “demonetization” does not only affect random people who preach hate messages, but also game YouTubers. Especially the “Call of Duty” scene felt this acutely, and now YouTubers who specialize in Destiny 2 are noticing it too.
Apparently, YouTube or their automated algorithm believes: They show weapons and glorify violence. Our advertising partners want nothing to do with that.
In an article from Kotaku, YouTubers speak out. For instance, “MTashed” is in a panic. He feels that everything he does is being demonetized. If he makes a gun review and has the weapon in the thumbnail, the video is gone.
- MTashed is meticulously trying to find out how to avoid this, trying to recognize what exactly YouTube punishes. He no longer uses “All-Caps” in the title, he no longer includes weapons in thumbnails, tries to avoid the word “weapon” in the title, but he still gets hit. Currently, MTashed receives 75% less from YouTube than he should.
- His colleague Skill Up says he loses 60% of the money he should be earning from his Destiny videos.
- YouTuber Patrick Casey was only hit by the penalty once. A Xur Inventory Review got caught. He wonders about this special treatment: Others are constantly affected, but he apparently is not.
- While another YouTuber, “CammyCakes,” says, for him, this is not a problem at all. His Destiny videos have never been demonetized, even though he curses like a sailor and shoots at a corpse for 30 seconds, nothing happens to him.
That’s exactly the point many YouTubers struggle with: It is not at all clear what criteria YouTube uses to decide which video can have ads and which cannot. It is always uncertain whether a video that contains a lot of work will generate money or not.
Official statements from YouTube representatives are nebulous and unsatisfactory for the affected content creators. YouTube refers to the possibility of appealing. However, the YouTubers say: “Thank you. If videos are monetized after 5-7 days, no one cares anymore. Most videos are really watched only in the first 1-3 days.”
Superstition Thrives Where Uncertainty Exists
As a consequence, superstition spreads among Destiny 2 YouTubers.
While MTashed also has harmless videos punished and believes, “I am cursed,” CammyCakes, who gets nothing punished, says a guardian angel watches over him. This is surely due to his stunning appearance.
Last time we talked about the YouTube scene surrounding Destiny:
