13 (unhinged) predictions for YouTube in 2024

NUMBER 14 WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

[@jonaragogna]

It's such a breath of fresh air to click on a video and not be immediately overstimulated, through music, sfx and edits. It makes you want to actually stick around. Thank you Jay, I'll take some inspiration from your style.

[@FullyLovingYourself]

I can’t wait until my audience feels like this lol I love it too

[@imdavidshay]

120% agreed and had the literal same exact feeling

[@jonaragogna]

@@FullyLovingYourself for sure

[@jonaragogna]

good to be on the same page@@imdavidshay

[@daveforz]

no meta is the new meta

[@Marcus-Jones]

The only problem I personally would have with adding a "monthly viewers" stat to a KZbin channel page in place of a subscriber count is Shorts. Viral shorts could massively inflate that number, making it similarly useless as subscriber count. Good video.

[@thejayalto]

Good point. Would need some form of breakdown for it to make sense.

[@69bruh]

@@thejayaltomaybe instead of montly viewers it could be montly watch time? i feel like that could be better.

[@MarkyNomad]

Probably should be split into short views and video views

[@slushyized]

​@@69bruhna because then people who make short form content such as music would see significantly smaller numbers compared to other channels

[@trustytrojan]

​@@MarkyNomadthis ^

[@friendlyfilmz]

I agree with most of this list. As a creator who struggles with thumbnail creation, having multiple thumbnail versions up and having the algorithm test them is like the holy grail to me.

[@thejayalto]

Would be amazing.

[@ScarletMarauder-ch8hw]

@@thejayaltoright?? Game changer. 🙌

[@Mersoh]

They are already rolling out A/B testing for thumbnails in 2024 which is the next best thing. I hope they'll allow us to do multiple thumbnails for the same video, but this is already a big step in the right direction!

[@ATRestoration]

I already have it in YT.

[@friendlyfilmz]

@@ATRestorationjealous!! I’ve literally been making multiples for two or three videos now waiting for that switch to flip for me. Woohoo! 🙌

[@tecmow4399]

Really enjoyed this. Just reading the comments I think it’s also clear that the relatable style of KZbin videos doing well will get bigger. It’s like the original “counter culture” feel the platform had. No over edits and getting the run around with “retention optimised” plot gimmicks. I’m sure that will remain big as you said but plenty of us are tired of it. Thank you 🙏

[@ikramulhaque84]

Thank you Jay. Love your minimalistic approach in video creation. It just hits right off the bat. It works. And the 14th ONE blew my mind away 😂

[@gothicarthouse]

just found your channel, great video. love how there's no messing about or padding for time, just speaking straight to camera in a calm and convincing way... actually makes me want to stick around and hear you out. you are a gem sir.

[@JetBlizzard]

Pretty insightful amount of predictions that I can genuinely see coming true. Being on this platform for such a long time already makes me believe anything is really possible too, but we’ll see what happens in 2024 and beyond!

[@camslam8245]

I love the concept and execution of this video. I also didn't realize how simple the video was until I was already 6 minutes in. I just enjoyed listening to someone talk to me with little editing. I agree with a lot of what you have to say, except that TVs will become KZbin's main viewing device. For me, I find the UI kind of difficult to navigate quickly and I like to have multiple videos open at once. PC will forever be my main source of KZbin viewing! Amazing video though!!!

[@realMacMadame]

I watched this video on my TV! I like my videos to be large. I do wish the KZbin app on Roku was a bit easier to use though.

[@camslam8245]

@@realMacMadame I don't blame you at all! I have major connection issues for my TV and my Roku app, so it feels like it takes too long to get connected sometimes. But if you have it set up right, you should also be able to cast to your TV directly from the KZbin app. Once you find a video you like, you can hit the TV screen with the Wi-Fi signal looking thing in the top right and connect to your TV! It's really convenient.

[@gregowen2022]

Love these predictions! Community tab is super underrated. I have seen Near and I don't even Like the posts but I think youtube can tell that I stop scrolling and hover over them, so I get more. Plus, when you react to a poll, you get shown more of their posts. That's why my fifth option is always "reveal the poll". People are curious and just want to know what the answers are, but it counts as engagement. I also have a theory that YT doesn't care about likes or dislikes. It's all engagement. YT only cares that you engage.

[@vetgezellig]

I really love your way of storytelling. Besides, you often share interesting insights that resonate with me. Thanks for creating this content!

[@thejayalto]

My pleasure. More coming soon.

[@pwhitewick]

Really refreshing look at things. Thanks for sharing.

[@TopFlightFamily]

Ok this is one of the best videos I’ve watched in the last 12 months. 👏🏼👏🏼 I’m especially excited about the idea of multi thumbnails. It makes so much sense. They already have the A/B testing tool so the tech is already built for it. This would be the next logical step.

[@WasabiNoise]

Very interesting points! I watched this on a TV, when I clicked I had very low expectations, I was expecting one of those “how to blow up on youtube” videos that claim to have a secret hack but they all just repeat the same ideas again and again. Good content!

[@richlordtravels]

First time I’ve seen one of your videos. I’ve now subscribed as your presentation style is calm, informed, and clear. Thank you.

[@Alltheworldsillz]

Absolutely loving the community tab and didn’t realize they just want to know I’m around. & we watch KZbin on tv 90% of the time , 10% on my phone. This is a really great video with predictions I’ve thought of recently. Helps me to figure out how to go about my platform . Thank you very much. Subscribing to more insightful creators like yourself.

[@ChantalTV]

Thank you for these tips... and predictions

[@azadoesart]

This are such fun ideas, I honestly am really hoping for some of them. I love the recent blow up of podcasts on KZbin, they're not so overwhelming to listen to while I draw

[@GoldShawFarm]

Zero premium subscribers would cancel if they opened up background play. Once you get the ad-free experience, you refuse to go back. Background play might have been the thing that got folks in the door, but the gap between the ad-free vs regular experience is so large that it's a low-risk move.

[@alperkamu4842]

damn bro very clean video, just the content and the essence. really felt good watching this, nice work!

[@thejayalto]

I appreciate that. All about the vibes.

[@LaytonObserves]

Loved this, very interesting. Monthly viewers is a great idea

[@itspatriciaburton]

What a fantastic video, Jay! Curious to see what predictions will come true, and what other stuff will happen that we're not thinking of. Personally, I want to the less edited, cozier style of videos to increase. That's what I have planned for my videos and it's what I prefer as a viewer.

[@MagnetismR]

Great predictions, always happy to see educated guesses on the future.

[@ocadubarral]

Hey Bro!! I’m from Brazil and I loved your video. It’s make me think about a lot of ideas. Nice job! Thank you.

[@it_is_charisma]

Hey Jay! By the end of the video I realized you did all of this in one take and that was extremely impressive! I'm glad to see this video starting to take off for you, and the numbers definitely speak to how well you spoke and how agreeable your predictions were. I seriously do hope all of these come true as they just make complete sense (huge fan of the monthly views so hopefully that'll come out). Hope you keep making more stuff man, always excited to see.

[@mystupidlife123]

I love how this video is A very efficient and B not flashy and overstimulating. You delivered on your promise seconds after I clicked the thumbnail. Kudos!

[@thejayalto]

That’s the goal!

[@KevinNordstrom]

I definitely see the less polished vlog style content coming back hard. People are tired of the 45 cuts every 2 minutes, over hyped, over edited, over dramatisized, epic, over stimulated, content that people are craving more low standard transparency and relational based content again like 2006-2012 KZbin.

[@martinwagnerproductions]

I have seen multiple comments / videos about this but I really can’t find this to be true. I’m going to put out a few videos like that but man people do it because it works. Along with that I have 3 short film scenes that are in this style and honestly aren’t seeing any love

[@crossllc]

i don't know why but just the way you speak about this makes me entirely confident that all the things you mention will happen, if not this year, next

[@KarlRock]

What about Shorts? They’re growing like crazy as far as I can see on my channel. Glad I embraced them when they launched.

[@JonAdamsTech]

Hey Jay, Just wanted to stop in and say how encouraging it is that these less edited videos are getting a ton of views! Your content is so freraking great man, keep it up!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

A great list. tHanks for posting it. I have a channel, sure I make videos.....but I love the ability to be a great KZbin watcher too. From letting commercials play through, to double comments and any other support I can offer folks who take the time to make channels.

[@thejadenlp1]

Great predictions Jay! I already listen to more than half of podcasts on KZbin. Hopefully they add background play and something like wrapped

[@DanDoesGame]

Great predictions man... I've been waiting for A-B testing myself for thumbnails, still don't have it 😭

[@rasalresid9147]

This is really good insight about YT, but at the end of the day the most important thing is how popular you are. When I found out that I could trigger organic growth after getting first 1000 subs (using a bit of Famester), my life got a lot easier and my main channel blew up massively. People are just looking at your numbers when searching for some content. If you have low subs no one cares about you even if you have best content on platform.

[@markkelderman2439]

I agree with everything you said.

[@niesn]

really? could u tell me the name of your main channel (if that´s ok)

[@yoshibara884]

What’s famester

[@vanessagowora]

@@yoshibara884it’s a KZbin promotion site

[@wedeluluinthis]

Bro i see this comment everywhere!

[@GeorgeHolden]

I love all of these predictions, think the monthly views alternative to subscribers is long overdue and makes so much sense

[@thejayalto]

I’d love it. Not sure if some KZbinrs would though…

[@PaulYuNow]

Very interesting predictions Jay! Some of them are happening for sure. Looking forward to your next video!

[@thejayalto]

Currently researching. Storytelling related.

[@leonjhendrix]

Exciting! Loved these predictions. I hope all of them come true.

[@thejayalto]

Time will tell…

[@EchoAstro78]

This is a really cool video! My personal prediction is that a large creator is going to start making videos in black and white as a way to stand out from the current meta of super colorful, flashy aesthetics.

[@wwechampion]

I'm so used to seeing your cartoon avatar that it's weird to see you have an actual face lol. I love your content man, especially your stuff on Twitter.

[@thelifewithnate]

Number 7 with anti-Meta being the new Meta is one I whole heartedly agree with! In 2024, we have creators like Sam Sulek in fitness and Jordan Howlett who are literally recording themselves on their cameras and/or phones for short to long periods of time with little to no editing. I did some deep diving into other creator channels and there is a notable trend of returning to the old style of KZbin which is akin to a conversation with someone else. The era of Mr.Beast style KZbin videos is still around and it is great for entertainment purposes. However, there is also a need for more authentic styles of content that are wholesome, deeply connecting with your audience, and just fun to watch without sfx and edits every second. Heck, I started my own KZbin channel where I try to answer some of the question that are in my life and trying to help other people who are feeling the same way. I thought I would never do that.

[@edukashion-jn3fz]

you're going to blow up bro one of a thinker on KZbin subscribed riding the train along with your success haha

[@dialac1]

You put a lot of thought in this brah. Thanks for not overwhelming me with jump cuts and stupid edits. You get my subscribe

[@Oddwright]

I semi-dazed out watching, which I never do, but also really enjoyed the chilled tempo and perspectives 😅

[@thejayalto]

Just keeping it real.

[@hollytaylor-reeves]

Love these predictions. I also had the number 4 prediction it’s probably already happening on the low lol

[@JordanWelch]

Solid predictions

[@Clisare]

They’ve already announced thumbnail A/B testing! 👏🏻

[@joshuastclairmusic]

Wow, you’re so right about that Near guy. I didn’t even realise I kept seeing his posts until you just mentioned it!

[@thejayalto]

The guy is everywhere.

[@samdezao]

Super interesting. I’d love to see the multi thumbnails! A/B testing might be the first step toward that.

[@thejayalto]

Agreed. Half way there.

[@StillInLuck]

This is just fab! Please I hope the thumbnail prediction comes true, I’ve struggled with this since beginning KZbin

[@TarotTarot1]

I’ve been back-and-forth and up and down with my channel because I’m building it while working a full-time job in a warehouse working 10 hour days. I love what I do and try to have the energy for it when I’m not at my benefits job. With that said, there’s been a ton of creators that I’ve watched quit over the last couple months. I went through this morning and unsubscribe from 45 channels that are no longer uploading. I don’t think I’ll be quitting my day job anytime soon but I really enjoy playing around on KZbin

[@MaximinoOliveira]

about your 12th prediction, how do you think that change will effect? that change is really needed? we already can see views in video so why to see the monthly viewers (?) even if I agree with you is a better metric than subscribers; and a video is not like a music, an singer can make one song per year and I can ear it 30 times in a year but if an KZbinr post a video per year probably I will only see it once regardless the amount of viewer statisfaction that can give me; not to forget the mystic thing that are around subscribers milestones and the playbuttons

[@ambohouse]

I agree with almost every point it. Big growth in coming in the future for the platform. One thing I do predict is X is going to try and compete more as a video platform. Rumble will slow rather than grow. All comes down to offering the huge players the right money

[@priazol]

Good predictions, the multi thumbnail option for KZbin really makes sense and I hope they implement it!

[@jeffreysproule]

They already have, it started for select channels in 2023, and a full roll out later this year

[@philipmurphy2]

Some interesting ideas there, I have some few ideas to improve Premium going forward? 1} Offer some movies for Premium members 2) More content then the After Party 3) A way to turn off KZbin Shorts 4) Maybe have up and coming rising Premium creators show up on the homepage in there own section 5) A way to turn off videos you have all ready watched from appearing everywhere 6) A real search option as a alternative to algorithm search by default for everyone, Kind of like another option for Premium users if they want yo search the old way

[@JTwelder.]

Monthly viewers is definitely a great idea! There’s so many channels out there with a few million subs and each of their new videos are only doing 30k views and it honestly looks bad for them. On the other hand monthly would also help out smaller creators!

[@zaccook]

The monthly viewers thing is really interesting, that’s how i have been comparing my channel to others on my niche It’s kind of shocking to see the viewer number on a big channel be close to another one that has a 1/10th of the subscribers

[@Serizon_]

Really well thoughtful predictions

[@ChristianChannel]

Great Advice!

[@Anim-AJ]

That near one was super accurate Idk how i got his channel Never watched any single one of his videos but still check his community post everyday

[@Mersoh]

One of the biggest changes I'm hoping for is that shorts that get clipped from your videos get linked back to the original video. It's wild to me how clips can get loads of views and the original video is impossible to find after

[@TedEhioghae]

It would be nice if after watching the Shorts, it takes you automatically to the full video to continue watching it.

[@Mersoh]

@@TedEhioghae Not really, most shorts viewers want to continue watching shorts and don't care for long form content (or at least they don't at the time they're scrolling shorts)

[@TedEhioghae]

@@Mersoh Then, how would the views count for both the Shorts and the long form videos, if they only watched 1 minute?

[@sivyh]

interesting predictions, will see! i guess long form content is already very trending here on youtube most of the content in my region that gains traction is a long form 1 or 2 hour content (interviews, podcasts, shows etc)

[@trevdawg2]

definitely starting to feel the need for more authentic content on the platform. More of an OG amateur youtuber vibe how it was originally intended. Not a bunch of overly edited videos and thumbnails or corporate kinds of highly produced videos in the direction of mrbeast content (sidenote: I dont think Mrbeast is going away though, there does seem to be a demand for his content). I think theres a greater demand for community than ever before on the platform. We will probably see a lot more amateur style channels come up soon with really strong communities and see alot of these try-hard channels who's main appeal is superficial (i.e. famous people in their videos, doing obnoxious stuff for attention type of videos) fall wayyyyyy off as a result of not prioritizing building a community first and instead prioritized getting views.

[@thejayalto]

Absolutely agree.

[@Hiki-kj4kb]

I do think that mobile viewing is still here with us for a long time, even if I start watching a 6 hours podcast, I watch it in the kitchen in the morning, then during launch break at work and home in kitchen with dinner again

[@ShiatsuShane]

Some cracking predictions there

[@GodofToast]

Man number 14 makes so much sense I don’t know how I didn’t think of it before

[@robtheaccountant]

Thanks for the video

[@rawspeaking]

Multi-thumbnail option would be wild. Monthly viewers would be a game changer.

[@thejayalto]

Agreed. And both just make a tonne of sense to me.

[@ilimitless]

Yes I can see an increment in TV viewers, and I think rpm would be better on TV. People want comfort, a tv viewer would like to see longer content with comfort, no handwork by hands. Just sit, relax and watch.

[@ItsBenChan]

near is insane. been seeing a heck ton of his shorts and posts everywhere. his growth is crazy

[@thejayalto]

Yeah, he’s crushing.

[@ElementaryBrewingCo]

Good content right here!!! Cheers 🍻

[@CHEFPKR]

Re: Background play. They could make the "Podcast Playlist" enables for background play and have it marked by creators in the back end.

[@Cullanorr]

The biggest let down that needs a definite change is playlist. Content creators need another way of separating content for their viewers and allowing viewers to select which content and or playlist from that creator they’re interested in the most. This would help content creators who might do a variety of things or at least 2 things within their channel.

[@coscorrodrift]

Agree with a lot. The in-person thing makes sense, i would emphasize one-time/less frequent events over tour-like events for certain kinds of creators. I'm from spain and here a pretty quickly growing podcast did a couple of in person events , both of them just live recordings of an episode i think, and it went well for them I think. Especially in the business /entrepeneurship space (that's their niche) it makes a ton of sense, there's a sense of a "value prop", they're usually good marketers and pretty "shameless" so not afraid of charging high prices (which makes them more sustainable) and there's this kind of "lottery ticket" effect IMO, where your mind psychologically is wired to believe you have a lot of odds of having a really meaningful encounter with the hosts/special guests of the event I think something's going on with thumbnails rn, i watched a video that had like 3 or 4 different thumbnails in the first 3 or 4 days of the video. I'm not sure if it's an external A/B testing platform, if it was just their team changing shit up, or if there's a feature youtube's rolling out where there are several thumbnails already. The video is by a channel called Collecting Cars, one about rallying on the snow, quite recent

[@debsdidit326]

Great vid. Completely agree on YT taking over the audio game

[@PozzoPersonal]

I love these Jay, you've got a new subscriber

[@thejayalto]

Welcome.

[@EcommerceGrowthHacker]

Just for perspective, I pay premium to avoid ads. I've never used background play, KZbin music nor any other benefit of the premium subscription, so I don't think people will cancel premium as long as they keep the ads off.

[@runebr]

Good job for keeping 6:10 the way it is, working on that perfectionism! :)

[@thejayalto]

Embrace the imperfections!

[@livingrichlyonabudget100]

The way you can talk smoothly for so long without any ums or flubs is incredible. This is coming from someone who has been doing KZbin for more than 10 years, under another user name. And you are captivating on top of that! You will definitely grow in subscribers this year!

[@lengting]

Your predictions are crazy good

[@thejayalto]

Thank you!

[@prem3957]

Great Video Jay! Do you edit them yourself?

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I'm hoping for the in-person meet ups with small KZbinr groups. This is a chance for small friendship groups to do great things. ( I'm big into volunteering...and day to day people living in the states are good people. Loads of good for society will come out of new friendships).

[@IntentionalTech]

I’m interested to see how the full rollout of thumbnail testing affects the meta. The fact that it uses watch time as the success metric could lead to less sensationalism in both thumbnails and videos. Part of me wonders whether this is the real reason KZbin is releasing the feature.

[@thejayalto]

I’m not sure if that’s all it uses to decide, or what it just shows creators?

[@IntentionalTech]

I suppose the algorithm itself uses a combination of CTR, watch time and other factors. But if creators start making decisions based on the thumbnail test results, then it could have the same impact on thumbnail culture@@thejayalto

[@Mersoh]

@@thejayalto There seems to be a growing meta for making long videos. Especially in the gaming genre it is channels that make 45+ minute content that are absolutely blowing up nowadays with the biggest videos being hours long. I think this is because KZbin is pushing average watch time over everything now because the longer people watch, the more ads they can show

[@entreadapt]

Your spot on man I spent a ungodly amount of time on YT as well and have seen thousands of trends over the years come true. I remember watching Mr. Beast when he had around 10-25k subs.

[@thejayalto]

You really were early.

[@aspiewithattitude3213]

I'm glad to have been sticking with the "Old Media".

[@PlanYourOneLife]

I agree with most of your predictions. I can't wait to see what happens with KZbin this year. I pay for YT premium, I would definitely cancel it if background play was free.

[@fcordobaot]

The Background play makes sense, because as a Premium subscriber is an amazing feature but if you allow everyone to do it I will not mind because I pay for not have to watch any ad & keep watching without interruption.

[@quizwell]

I agree with longer videos becoming the norm, especially for viewers that watch YT on their Smart TV.

[@MileStoneAhead]

One Thing, I don't know if they will do but they should do is that The creators could add a limited amount of mid rolls for videos below 8 mins, Like videos longer than 6 min could have 3 mid rolls, Longer than 4 - 2 mid rolls And longer than 2 min :- 1 mid roll

[@h.t.8812]

I don't know about the US/EU, but I'm in Brazil and I think maybe it's hard for TV to take over bc in developing and third world countries everyone has a phone, but not everyone has a TV at home (you'd be surprised at how many people have never used a PC before), or like in my house, there's 1 TV in the living room where my parents watch stuff, and I just watch what I want in my PC in my room. That's the only thought I have, maybe TV could take over in first world countries, idk. Anyway, I love the video and the other predictions! I also watch an ungodly amount of youtube lol, I love the prediction that personality-based videos will have more space as I would like to have a channel like that one day, and a youtube video winning a traditional prize to maintain its relevance makes so much sense lol!

[@julia__sana]

I love how optimistic you are - I agree on the Anti-Meta Point

[@UppiliVentures]

The era of the little creators is back let's go!

[@thejayalto]

Yessir.

[@cerspence]

Great predictions and I think if not 2024 then 2025!

[@LauraTryUK]

nice video - super chill, and informative. I enjoy community posts - as a Creator, it's a nice way to connect with my audience. As an audience member, it's nice to get updates from my fave Creators. I disagree with the subscriber count being a vanity metric. It has some weight - it represents X number of people who like the channel's content and wants to see more. It may not be as relevant with viral style videos, and a younger audience perhaps, but as someone middle-aged, my audience is aged 40 years and above, the subscriber is very relevant. I liked your predictions, let's see how many happen.

[@thejayalto]

Agreed. Subscribers gained from individual videos is a very useful metric. Just the combined number with no context can be less useful.

[@VicInTheGame]

great video!!

[@ismaelsamandu7078]

About N°10. It's the way I'm enjoying YT right now; kind as a radio tunning device. And about N°11, the hack what I came up with it's to "listen" YT on the cellphone while working in the laptop or anything else, and even put on the headphones and stick the celphone in my pockets, and still I can listen. It works!

[@JonathanEBoyd]

interesting predictions nice style to the video some of these things are already happening , i think they’ll just happen in a bigger way some won’t happen this year but over the next 10 years . i hope everyone does get background it’s about time surely there’s more to offer in premium besides this . Take care ✌️

[@TechTroublemaker]

I think allowing background plays will happen in 2025. With KZbin just allowing import of RSS feeds from podcasts, it will take a bit for listeners to catch on

[@KoshoReacts]

Hi Jay, just watched one of your interviews 🤝 any PERSONAL thoughts on my channel? Thumbnails, ideas etc? Your input is so unique

[@leannedelux]

They already announced number 6! I’m very excited about it! 😁

[@thejayalto]

Makes a lot of sense.

[@FotisNikou]

good video man fr

[@Southwest55Plus]

I definitely agree with a lot of these predictions. You can easily see that videos are getting longer and more "produced." I expect that Netflix execs are up all night these days trying to figure out ways to slow the YT growth trajectory. Too late...