How Sponsorships Are Ruining YouTube

I don't trust sponsored KZbinrs. I've purchased products in the past based on positive "reviews" by these people, and then found out the truth was stretched about the product, most likely to remain in good graces with the company that is sending it to them. If you receive a product before public release or for free, you're going to have bias towards that company if you care about them and their future products. Simple as that.

[@TechManPat]

Yes mate, I had that happen with Dyson, reviewed their robot vac, and told the truth, and bam, black listed... haha.

[@mattcarlson12]

Exactly! I'm sorry that happened. Thanks for actually being honest though.

[@MathieuStern]

I agree with you, I speak about lenses that are not sold since 60 years ... so that why I don't get any sponsorship offers

[@martin_the_artist_]

Came from Reddit, Great video and fully agree 👍 tbh I stopped watching these types of YTers a while back, the need to buy the latest and greatest thing is boring. These guys act as if everyone has unlimited funds to buy everything.

[@xan-ellis]

This is one of my biggest annoyances in the camera youtube world. Every new release is the best camera ever made and flawless even if "no money changed hands" or "I don't get to keep the camera". It's nearly impossible to get a good true review of a products pros and cons anymore. I don't think these companies realize that a negative review or a critique isn't a bad thing. Someone saying "this product has Y con and X pro" allows a buyer to decide if that product works for them. A con for some isn't a con for all, and a pro for some isn't a pro for all. I bought an Insta 360 GO 2 based on how good the reviews were and when I got it, it downright sucked. The files took forever to transfer to my phone, the image quality was worse than pretty much every phone in the last 10-12 years and the battery life was garbage. If it had been advertised correctly, as a device that sacrifices quality for compactness, and gave some good use-cases for it, I probably would have been much more satisfied with it.

[@AlgonquinBeyond]

I watched about 30 videos about the Insta 360 X3 before deciding to buy one to replace my GoPro. Not a single review properly addressed the major issue that there's no effective way to protect the two lenses. The sticky lens guard has a number of issues, and the premium lens case that encompasses the whole top has its own separate issues. It's something everyone will learn very quickly, but no one dared to mention it in their reviews. Plus, the quality is really subpar relative to GoPro and other competition. The reviewers will mention the 360 5.7k resolution, SOME reviewers will go a step further to tell you that when you reframe the shot in post, it's really just 1080, but none of the reviews talk about how low-quality that 1080p looks, and how you'll never want to punch in any further like you can get away with on other action cams.

[@leafcatcherstudio]

Out of curiosity, did you try the new DJI LIDAR system or just the previous one on the Ronin 4D? Going by the specs, the new one has around 75% more ranging points, twice the range, and likely has updated software for the new hardware. I think it’s fair to assume that it may be capable of performing better than the 4D. It seems like it has a few quirks based on the reviews I’ve watched, but overall it sounds fairly decent; and it’s certainly not exactly the same as the previous system. I’m not looking to offer a general defense of DJI or KZbin reviews by this; I just thought it was worth pointing out the possibility that the reviewers’ experiences may actually be different on the new system. I do think it’s a good idea to take initial product coverage and reviews with a grain of salt, though. Apart from any potential bias, reviewers have a limited amount of time with a product before they have to share their conclusions, and sometimes they miss issues or don’t appreciate the impact these issues have in real world use. When I can, I like waiting for long term reviews to come out from both the established reviewers and regular users. I’m interested in the new LIDAR system, but there’s no way I’m buying it on day one. I’m going to wait at least a few months so the early adopters can beta test the product for me and watch if any firmware updates come out that improve it. Buying it now would be too much of a gamble for $1000.

[@djrejs]

loved it, but how do we tell the ones who buy the gear from the rest of hired marketers?

[@Jantonvid]

KZbinrs, I believe, are legally obligated to disclose either in the description, and I think in the video itself whether they received the product for free or were paid to produce the video

[@TheRealHarrypm]

Reminds me of when LTT did their video on VHS tapes and promoted inflation and DigitalFAQ, when VHS Decode been a thing for 4 years now FM RF archival for a decade all open source all highly flexible. Same goes for potato jet using an easycrap when he has multiple thousands and actual recorders that was a clear sponsorship. KZbinrs and channels, are practically just advertising platforms and lacking in basic or long term research into subjects it's incredibly disgusting. The only real KZbinrs I like these days are Cranky Cameraman real honest information.

[@strikeformatik]

Instant sub. Please.. fair and brutal honesty over making it pretty - at all times.

[@Raist3db]

Calling it like it is. Bravo.

[@JonackFilm]

Saw this video on reddit, great Video

[@GloryStoryCz]

Absolutely agree… whatever you wanna buy, they say is the best product… Channel Camera Conspiracies seems to me be very onest and objectives. I can Recommend that one.

[@Jantonvid]

Project farm buys everything he reviews himself

[@jfizzle]

It's important to do your own research.

[@mattcarlson12]

Definitely!

[@Jackofafewtrades]

I don't think sponsored showcases are a problem, but a sponsored video or even a video where the reviewer gets to keep the hardware (surprisingly uncommon outside of sponsorship deals) should be looked at very skeptically. As someone that works for a tech website that often gets review hardware from manufacturers (which often also gets very negative reviews lol), most manufacturers understand that even a fairly negative review is publicity and will lead to some sales. They don't just remove you from a product list for no reason, although there are cases of it happening. Besides, there are other ways to get a product - some of our review stuff comes from retailers for example - so anyone that puts their relationship with a company ahead of their integrity is not only an idiot but also deserves no trust.

[@VietinghoffAlex]

Also fighting GAS every day, we can do it!

[@agus.lorenzo]

FINALLY someone who speaks the truth!

[@Heythatsjeremy]

I don't think it's fair to include gerald undone in this argument. He doesn't say everything is the best new thing, he does real tests where his personal feelings aren't really relevant, he tries to tell you who each product is for and who it's NOT for. The smartest creators realize that TRUST is their most valuable asset, and they won't trade it for a singular relationship. Also good creators clarify if its a review or just a " I'm going to show you how I use this product". With the DJI follow focus pro came out, Full Time Filmmaker posted a " review" that was 100% NOT a review, and won't watch another one of their videos.

[@noheadlights]

Well, this video makes good points but you blew the best point by using Gerald Undones line. He says in your video "Sony LENT me this camera, no money changed hands..." and you cut of the rest, where he says ".. and I return it after the review". He still gets views through the relationship. But this is IMO the only valid way for viewers to get early information.

[@nebukadnezzar3578]

Loved it!!

[@kyleneal4639]

Preach it

[@mattcarlson12]

It was good therapy 😂

[@j4zappa]

OK so in a world of biased shills, which YT channels do you feel are more honest/balanced in their reviews?

[@JapanLovers]

100% agree. I did a similar video to this with similar points kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJiVhnmFoMmLaMksi=C2ESqD4ysE8f0IHr Those hacks have ruined KZbin but I suppose it's just late stage capitalism. I dont make camera related videos anymore because I hate these ad creators and the audience. People just want to be dumb and I refuse to make videos for a genre with no self respect/dignity. The whole thing is just a shopping addiction. Now I make videos to save memories, share an interest and a maybe get some aesthetic shots here and there.