🧵 YouTube is using you. And you're at a massive disadvantage even...
Abu (YouTube Strategist)@NotNotAbu2
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Sep 02, 2025
~3 min read
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🧵 YouTube is using you.
And you're at a massive disadvantage even if you don't realize yet.
Let me explain: (thread)
And you're at a massive disadvantage even if you don't realize yet.
Let me explain: (thread)
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YouTube’s entire business model depends on creators pumping out content that keeps people on the platform for as long as possible.
The longer viewers stay, the more ads YouTube can run, and the more money YouTube makes. Very simple.
Creators are the engine for that system. Your job is to keep viewers watching for longer sessions so the ad machine never stops.
The longer viewers stay, the more ads YouTube can run, and the more money YouTube makes. Very simple.
Creators are the engine for that system. Your job is to keep viewers watching for longer sessions so the ad machine never stops.
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The problem? YouTube needs you to keep the machine running, but it has no obligation to you.
They give you a small cut of the ad revenue and in exchange, they have all the power.
> You don’t get a direct relationship with your audience.
> You don’t actually control where your content is distributed.
They give you a small cut of the ad revenue and in exchange, they have all the power.
> You don’t get a direct relationship with your audience.
> You don’t actually control where your content is distributed.
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The worst part is that you have NO security.
Your channel can be terminated without warning for reasons you can’t control.
One copyright claim, one community guidelines strike, one “policy update” can destroy your years of work, millions of views and your entire audience.
There’s no appeal process that guarantees you get it back. There's no safety net for you to fall back on.
Your channel can be terminated without warning for reasons you can’t control.
One copyright claim, one community guidelines strike, one “policy update” can destroy your years of work, millions of views and your entire audience.
There’s no appeal process that guarantees you get it back. There's no safety net for you to fall back on.
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And because the system is so unforgiving, creators are pressured into chasing metrics at all costs.
They start optimizing for clickbait, they build videos around manufactured tension, fake drama, and watch traps that do nothing for the viewer but keep them “engaged” in YouTube’s eyes.
This is why creators end up making content that they don't necessarily want to, because the system rewards tactics that keep people on the platform at any cost.
They start optimizing for clickbait, they build videos around manufactured tension, fake drama, and watch traps that do nothing for the viewer but keep them “engaged” in YouTube’s eyes.
This is why creators end up making content that they don't necessarily want to, because the system rewards tactics that keep people on the platform at any cost.
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So here's the mindset shift you need: YouTube is not your business.
Do not depend on YouTube for everything. Just use it as a distribution channel.
Do not depend on YouTube for everything. Just use it as a distribution channel.
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The fix is to start building your own ecosystem in parallel.
> Collect emails so you can contact your audience directly, even if your channel disappears.
> Build a community space you control. It can be a Discord server, a newsletter, a paid group.
> Create a product, service, or offer that gives your viewers what they want, and make it the natural next step after watching your videos.
> Collect emails so you can contact your audience directly, even if your channel disappears.
> Build a community space you control. It can be a Discord server, a newsletter, a paid group.
> Create a product, service, or offer that gives your viewers what they want, and make it the natural next step after watching your videos.
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By doing this, the algorithm stops being a life-or-death factor for your income. You won't be affected by random CPM drops keeping you up at night.
If YouTube changes its rules or tanks your reach, your revenue will not be affected because you own the audience and have a direct way to serve and sell to them.
Now, you are using YouTube instead of YouTube using you.
If YouTube changes its rules or tanks your reach, your revenue will not be affected because you own the audience and have a direct way to serve and sell to them.
Now, you are using YouTube instead of YouTube using you.
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P.S: I want to clarify that YouTube isn't necessarily evil for this. It's just the business model. Now the responsibility is on you as a creator to not be taken advantage of and to play the game of YouTube in a way that will benefit you. And relying on YouTube AdSense will not benefit you in any way.
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If you found this helpful:
1. Follow @NotNotAbu2
2. Like/retweet the 1st post
1. Follow @NotNotAbu2
2. Like/retweet the 1st post