The Twitch streamer moistcr1tikal is one of the most successful opinion bloggers in the world. Through his YouTube channel penguinz0, he reaches 14.5 million subscribers. Like MontanaBlack and many other streamers, he also used reaction streams to earn a lot of money. But he stopped – for moral reasons.
What is the money cheat that Twitch streamers use?
- It has been widespread for several years: Streamers watch other people’s videos on Twitch, react to them, and upload those snippets to YouTube.
- This “reaction meta” dominates Twitch and YouTube. Those who were gaming or variety streamers two years ago now react: MontanaBlack watches SternTV or a controversial opinion blogger, Rumathra the TV chef Frank Rosin, other streamers “farm drama”, commenting on what others are doing, especially when they get themselves into trouble.
- Through this method, streamers can earn an enormous amount of money: Because the reactions require no effort and you can publish current and conflict-rich content on YouTube daily.
MontanaBlack has shown that he was able to generate about 6 million euros with his 2 pure “reaction channels” since their creation, alone in 2023 it was 1.6 million euros:
“I was the typical Over-Reaction Andy”
Who is stepping back now? The YouTuber Charles White (29) was one of the biggest US streamers, alongside xQc and Asmongold, who used this method.
His YouTube channel, penguinz0, is huge, with 14.5 million subscribers. While MontanaBlack’s videos achieve around 400,000 viewers on his channels, Charles White is more in the range of 1.5 million.
Until a few years ago, his content largely consisted of other people’s videos that he commented on live. He made grand gestures, grimaced, and commented sharply and cynically.
He was extremely successful with it – and it cost him practically no effort, as he says. But he has turned away from it.
This is what he says now: In a video, the YouTuber explains that he completely changed his content after there was a big discussion about reaction streams.
The one who does the work hardly profits from it
Why did he stop? He says: In the past, he was an “overreaction Andy”, but he realized that this is not good for the YouTube system and he does not want to be a negative factor.
The arguments of the reaction opponents convinced him. Essentially, one only makes money from reaction streams at the expense of other creators by showcasing their content entirely on one’s own channels.
He proves this with an elaborate video about the story of a speedrun (via youtube), where his reactions brought him significantly more money and views than the original YouTuber, who did all the work. The argument that “the one being reacted to benefits from the reach”, which MontanaBlack also cites, he does not accept as valid.
Because although he had asked to watch the original YouTuber, his reaction had almost no effect on that channel.
“The creator who put all the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears into the magnum opus that is almost 3 hours long, almost as long as one of those crappy ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies, hardly benefited from it.”
He explains that ultimately only the one who reacts benefits from reaction streams. The person who does the work ends up empty-handed.
Streamers now just watch the videos before the stream, for themselves
What does he do instead? The YouTuber says he still reacts to trailers or news shows. If there’s a major story, he might watch parts of it on stream. But if he discusses a video today, he watches it before the stream so that he understands the topic. Then he talks about the video on stream instead of watching it live:
“I think this is also better for the discussion. Because then you have all the information and can talk about it in more depth.”
Reaction streamers say: “The viewers want it that way”
What arguments do the streamers who do reaction streams have? The streamers who play the reaction meta clearly say: Yes, it requires extremely little effort, but “the people want it – they want to hear my opinion.”
MontanaBlack said that he reacts to the videos of Shurjoka because people are interested in his opinion. In addition, it is “his job” and it is “free content that he has to take advantage of”, that’s how he finances his Mercedes.
The argument of the reaction streamer that they do not watch the video they react to beforehand is that it would no longer be “authentic” – but the viewers want their authentic opinion.
MontanaBlack has argued that he is against the idea that people he reacts to receive a share of the revenue from his reactions because he brings them “reach”.
People like Staiy, Papaplatte, or xQc have already indicated that the content is “garbage” or “trash” and requires no effort, but that’s what the YouTube algorithm currently prefers.
What’s behind it: From the viewers’ perspective, there are some complaints against the “reaction meta” because it is so dominant and leads to endless “reaction cascades” where reactions to reactions are commented on.
Other influencers argued: If everyone reacts, there will be a lack of material to react to. It must still be worthwhile to create original content – even if that is effortful.
But financially, the model is so extremely lucrative that YouTube itself will probably have to intervene. Because even if it would be nice if Charles White’s example would set a trend, it is extremely unlikely, as this “money cheat” is simply too easy for established streamers and brings in too much money.
More on the topic: Why are big YouTubers currently going to Twitch?
