How The YouTube Algorithm Promotes Thievery

[@janineteneleven]

"you can be appreciative and critical of something at the same time, that's healthy" PERIODDDDD !!!

[@symliadoo]

FOR REAL!!! it's not always one or the other!! and I wish more folks could understand that

[@Runefrag]

The best criticism is formed when you ARE appreciative of the thing you're criticizing.

[@CrimsonRequiem1]

People always think it's one way or the other and that's why some people will never grow

[@Evanz111]

The funny thing is that media criticism originally came from this place. You want a film or game to be the best version of itself so you discuss its flaws and how they could be improved. Now it seems to have shifted towards just taking a dump on stuff you dislike and blindly praising the things you do like.

[@custos3249]

Nope. Internet is pretty firm on this. You either hate something so much that you want it todiein a fire. Or you love it so much, you have 7 body pillows, a custom chain wallet, 3 tattoos, 69Gbs of lewded "art," custom themed PC, and an AI girlfriend named after it. No in between.

[@JoshStrifeHayes]

The constant mental battle of: - create original content, take time and spend resources to research, script, record, edit, upload, hoping the vid does well. Vs - just react to a vid, take no risks, reap rewards.

[@XxDarkillerxX]

You speak as if someone have already done that with one of your videos ;-)

[@markbasilan2232]

Yet you’ll have easily impressionable fans (likely most of them) of a reaction streamer going straight for the boots when even addressing this issue. “Buh muh big megastweamers did nuffing wong, ur just a jealous hater.” Everyone’s for the little man until they decide that they aren’t. 😂

[@quntface1518]

It's utterly bewildering that someone like Asmongold has probably made more than most people will make in their entire life by exploiting content like this. Sitting on his crusty, urine soaked ass.

[@zomfgroflmao1337]

As a viewer I sometimes value reaction, as they might give me different perspective on a subject, but that obviously only goes for 'reactors' that actually add value to a video (and I usually watch these reactions after I viewed the original for myself).

[@JoshStrifeHayes]

@@zomfgroflmao1337 if the reactor has a different perspective they can just make a new video, one they research and script and edit and upload, instead of canibalising the original.

[@NathanielBandy]

The idea of a react streamer being forced to share revenue with the original creator would honestly change things a lot. If it were like a 50/50 split, I'd imagine we'd see a lot less reaction videos because it would be such a big loss in income for the streamers, and probably not be as worth spamming out videos. It would be really interesting to see KZbin make this a feature at some point

[@heck1234]

hol up

[@Ren99510]

50/50 is still way too much of a share to give these leeches, though.

[@Rodiandrea]

I mean, if would still be 50% money to someone who did almost nothing, and that already got money from the stream of the reaction. It should be something like 75% to original creator on KZbin to be barely fair, considering it wouldn't affect money made on twitch

[@ShadowWolfe]

A reaction video be 70/30 if not 80/20 in terms of Original/Reaction. The reactor absolutely does not know of the work that goes into the video, and the reactor definitely doesn't deserve 50%. It's like saying they did 50% of the effort to make that video they're reacting to.

[@antongunther3977]

This system exists already but for big companies claiming copyright. Disney and others have been striking videos for years and taking all the revenue for themselves. Surely there is an easy way to open this system up for creators.

[@DrDoomBloom]

“Just because it’s normalized, doesn’t make it okay for everyone” A quote that belong its own T shirt

[@TheHomiekid]

Saw someone comment a similar sentiment earlier. "Basically, just because some people win the lottery doesn't mean it's not exploitative en masse."

[@haliphax-]

Doing what is right is not always popular Doing what is popular is not always right

[@ChaseCares]

I can't wait for the flood of streamers reacting to this video lol

[@WalrusWantsTaco]

Ticks

[@FH4Player6397]

@@WalrusWantsTaco Wut

[@matthuckleberry5238]

So trueeee

[@Zeverinsen]

Here before Asmon finds this video.

[@WizardBear897]

And then they “”react”” by laughing, pausing the video and saying “wait, what did he tweet?” then “haha, yeah. Good video. Make sure to like his video” and then watch meme compilation v23453 and move on with their lives

[@grabasandwich]

KZbin shorts also suck. It's mostly just reposting old viral clips with AI voiceovers saying "this guy..." and those brain melting single word captions. The internet is ruined.

[@orterves]

And it's a constant fight against the algorithm to purge those videos via "not interested" and "don't show this creator again" and reports. And then you slip up and watch one stupid brain rot video and you're back to square one

[@jyppi]

And this is also happening in Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram. A lot of people reposting same old stuff with minor changes and trying to get that sweet ad money.

[@hikkamorii]

"This is incredible *describes video in full over the original video*, did you see it? Take a closer look *slowed down and cut version of original clip*, this really is incredible" and of course there is some random streamer doing nothing in the corner or at the bottom

[@mrbeaver6000]

Platforms need to have systems in place that discourage pumping out this type of slop that makes legitimate creators harder to discover.

[@zeruty]

Yes shorts are garbage

[@TheUltimateBlooper]

There is a reason why I always ignore Asmongold and "reactors" - I just hate the braindead approach to "content". I WANT longer-form, thought out essay videos, not some dude's face on the screen while ANOTHER video plays in the background.

[@monke-mk5]

Aamondgold clip is the reason i found so many channel that i sub and became my favorite. Im not gonna said its right, but you win some you lose some.

[@doctorjames4245]

I ignore him because he’s a racist a hole

[@yous2244]

Don't pirate movies and games then

[@natalimoina]

Well he is far worse than others, always has been

[@Digital_Artz]

​@@natalimoinaNo, not even close! You obvi haven't seen much react/AsmonGold content. He pauses and gives plenty of input, clearly credits channels, shares links, and tells everyone to check the OP out, often repeatedly. I've found many creators through him and if they're good and known to me, I've often already watched the OG. Plus, he privated it when he was made aware of the issue. I'd say he's one of the better ones.🤦‍♀️

[@Glenners]

People who actually create stuff do it at a slower frequency, because they're doing the actual work. Reactors just have a constant stream of this content from all of you, so they can upload "good" content at a waaay higher frequency, hijacking the algorithm.

[@Glowbox3D]

The reactor streamers have endless content created by other not lazy talented people, and all the reactors have to do is be interesting on the spot. Not only do they not have to pay their video creators, they take money FROM them! Ha! All the while, YT is sitting on a large boat somewhere discussing how to slide in just one more skippable ad without people caring.

[@AntiGenerative404-x6g]

Meat Canyon

[@ReadingAdam]

You don't say

[@zee9709]

creator actually can take them down if they wish, youtube gave creator tool for it to detect and strike, but most of the time creator are just let it be for whatever reason, and maybe creator ask their permision too

[@joedav67]

@@zee9709 usually because they will receive backlash. I mean, Zach here received backlash just for criticizing Asmongold. Imagine what would happen if he struck his channel?

[@TastingHistory]

This video needed to be made. Thank you.

[@Jen-Chapin]

Max is here!! ❤

[@ba6561]

Ayo! @tastinghistory make a cuban episode!

[@a-Stalk3r]

You have to stop assuming that all the people who watch react videos are people who would have watched your videos.

[@Scott3387]

Who's producing tasting history reacts and why have I never been recommended them? I see your new videos in pole position but nothing else.

[@TastingHistory]

@@Scott3387 a surprising number. My dad sends them to me. Ive never had it be an issue personally, but I can see how others have.

[@mrfriendhorror]

This was great. I hadn't thought of it like this before. I have a LOT of people react to my content, and generally, I appreciate the exposure and enjoy watching them. But now I am wondering if it has stunted my potential views. Great video mate!

[@EzaleaGraves]

I feel cheated whenever I stumble across what seems like a really good video only to find out it's a reaction. It's more prevalent with shorts, and I really wish it was possible to filter them out

[@Ztygs]

I dislike reaction videos and more often than not just go watch the original instead, but at least some of them actually REACT to it, pause it, add their own take/input etc to it. But the shorts are just even worse. Just a tiny green-screen'd head in the corner with literally 0 reaction and often pre-recorded and just spammed onto 38194175198 clips taken from other channels and re-uploaded. It's blatant thievery tbh. And I hope something is done about it.

[@lousielouise8716]

i have had to say “do not suggest” on the same repost and reaction creators over and over!!! like i dont wanna see that- and its also repetitive as hell

[@One.Zero.One101]

I've never understood why react videos get millions of views. It's just some dude reacting to someone else's hard work. I always close the react video and go to the original video instead. Sure you can point to parasocial relationship for some of the views, but millions of views??? Who are these people watching these? I've tried watching some to see what the fuzz is all about, there is nothing enticing to me about it.

[@CoolCoolYams]

As soon as I find it's a react, I look in the description for the original video and click off to that

[@zeruty]

There is a way to not see shorts much You can hide the shorts section using at least one alternative client. Probably more. I hide shorts, community posts, etc

[@JadenSalads]

This video will feed generations

[@tomar81]

Yep. Got this recommended on my home page and I've never seen this channel before. I don't watch reaction videos or got recommendation from YT. I was hoping to to hear some solution but it's same old same old...

[@10eegaming]

Absolute banger of a video! It's interesting because KZbin already has a copyright system that flags unoriginal content from other channels and gives us the opportunity to submit removal requests, yet they don't suppress those videos (even ones that the system recognizes as 100% reuploads). The revenue split seems like the perfect solution to this, as you mentioned KZbin already puts a great deal of effort into their music copyright system. I also remember the days when RE: videos were an integral part of the platform and 2024 seems like the perfect time to bring this back. They have so much of the infrastructure already in place, I just hope KZbin listens to this!

[@Atomo24]

I've been wondering for years why they don't implement a 50% - 50% revenue system or something along these lines. Specially since I noticed that there is stuff that I don't want to watch directly, I want to watch a reaction, like literally the original is not what I want and would not watch it by itself. So the only good thing to do in this scenario is let people watch what they want (a reaction), but pay both creators involved

[@dracos24]

@@Atomo24 I also notice that youtube will identify copyrighted video and try to refer you to the source if its say, "a movie", but if video reactions are used clearly enough from a KZbin video, the same system should apply, which should benefit the original poster by serving as additional videos serving the algorithm to refer them to the source channel without requiring active user engagement.

[@Shteven]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a class action lawsuit towards Google for the way they handle Copyright claims and the utter lack of due diligence they do.

[@joedav67]

@@Atomo24 why should we give them any money? If the time it takes to make a reaction video is the length of the video, why do they deserve money? Someone else did the actual work

[@Atomo24]

@@joedav67 because otherwise we keep the current way, I watch the reaction, because I want to watch a reaction, and the original creator.gets nothing. And if they change it so the original creator gets all the revenue, people dont make reactions, so I cant watch the reaction and the original creator still gets nothing Yes, making the content is harder than making the reaction, but going to college is also harder than open an only fans, but guess who earn more money. If someone else gets more money doing less work than you, you made the wrong choice.

[@PrimeHylian]

Wow, didn't expect my tweet to be featured! Thanks for shedding light on this issue, it's something that makes me feel a bit powerless. I really hope KZbin implements some solution in the future because it doesn't seem like it's gonna change without one.

[@SolaireIntensifies]

As much as I hate react content as a concept, your idea of having the video being reacted to directly link to views for the creator is a genius idea, and if youtube isn't going to do anything to stop react content, this is definitely the bare minimum they can do. This should have been implemented years ago and I hope this video blows up too so they can get their act together.

[@matcarpes]

reactions linking to the original content is brilliant

[@nayber2352]

they can probably use this feature to monetize things like twitch as well, since they could then win a court case about how "amazon is dodging their AdSense by endorsing reactions" they would never implement this without a clear monetary benefit

[@SoAaron_]

@@matcarpes But I don't think that really works. If you are watching the reaction, most aren't going to watch the original.

[@alexandraeilise]

@@SoAaron_I think they mean that the reaction views would count toward the original creator’s view count, even if the watcher didn’t go and watch the original video

[@alexandraeilise]

I love this idea. I enjoy reactions so I don’t want to see them go away, but I have struggled with the implications for the original creator. This feels like a fair way of doing things.

[@A_Charmander]

Idk if you’ll see this, but I just wanna say that i’ve been watching you ever since the “why youtube feels different” video, and you are genuinely one of the most well-spoken and creative people i’ve subscribed to on here. I love how each video is (usually) totally different than the last. Most of the topics… I honestly don’t care about. I don’t care about malls or fast food prices, but you make the topics interesting enough for me to sit through the entire video. Keep up the awesome work ❤

[@ilearncode7365]

Yourube would be out of business if “content creators” had to create content. 99 percent of youtube just involves talking over video footage they didnt make, whether “reacting” to “viral videos”, or talking over video games footage or “reviewing” a movie etc

[@monsterboomer8051]

true

[@kalodawg8297]

react youtubers: wow, another video to react to

[@thewhitewolf58]

Xqc will try to take this video down.

[@4l.vi.]

Came here because of Staysafe's reaction 😆

[@Sadeyo1]

​@@4l.vi.real shame

[@MrBubbyG_Official]

​@thewhitewolf58 that guy is such a bum

[@CeeC_CeeC]

The laziest mfs

[@reeseovine]

zackary is outstanding in his field

[@Jen-Chapin]

💀

[@ZackarySmigel]

I love that field! I discovered it on a hike a few weeks ago. It was so beautiful and scenic that I had to share it.

[@yetanotherrandomyoutubecha4382]

Booo 🍅🍅🍅

[@TerraKnight27]

i remember hearing this joke in kindergarten

[@blackcatpirates8134]

​@@ZackarySmigelYo Zack do you need a video editor?

[@ThaumanaProject]

Saw that tweet around that time, and it really nailed my sentiment about the repost and reaction culture. That exploiting system does not only affect smaller youtubers. Small independent artists on social media who depends heavily on the reach and exposure to gain potential new supporters and commissions often suffer from invisibility, while big repost accounts just graze and collect fanarts and artworks from other accounts for reposts without any credits while at the same time offering promotion slots in exchange for fees while getting pushed by the algorithm. Also big account youtubers often use artworks from artists without their content and knowledge, making their content more appealing and gaining more clicks and attraction, while not having the decency to link the original creator's art post at the very least. It's sad that algorithms and numbers benefit such a one-sided, parasytic system among creators.

[@Blandco]

Amazing video as always. Nothing but the truth.

[@ZackarySmigel]

Glad you think so! So happy, to hear. Thanks so much for the superthanks!!!

[@Blandco]

​@@ZackarySmigelI fully expect the $1 to go towards food for Zoey the cat.

[@carythesnail]

Hey Zach, came across Asmon’s reaction of the last video and wanted to come check out your channel to support. Really enjoy what you’re doing, it’s the kind of lane that I’m trying to take my channel in: Thoughtful and entertaining. Really glad that you were able to elevate this issue for a lot of “mid-sized” creators!

[@BunnehGaming]

KZbin recommended your video to me, and I cannot echo your sentiments enough. I refuse to make reaction-based content because I've always found it lazy and uninventive, plus I reasoned that it would (probably) negatively affect the original creators considering everything I've seen from reaction-based content. This was really insightful and provided a unique look into the landscape of KZbin - it was great that you kept your cool and offered solutions to the problem as well, instead of acting bitter or pointing fingers. Props to you my man :) *PS You said you're from Western Pennsylvania, and unless you're filming on private property, I'm reasonably certain I recognize that hiking trail :)

[@ramaron]

I appreciate how nuanced you talk about reaction content. Most people people fail to admit that it can be a great way to expose your content to new people, but also can definitely cannibalize on video performance at the same time. I also really like your suggestions for ways that KZbin could help with making that content more regulated and sustainable for original creators. That being said, implementing these solutions would probably mean that they have to fix their absolutely horrendous copyright system first. Both to give creators the ability to take down "non regulated" react videos, but also stop people from wrongly taking down content that really does fall under fair use.

[@RobZeroitZ]

KZbin suggested your Chipotle video, I'm hooked n here to watch all your vids

[@CrimVulgar]

DarkViper's series (which I know you linked in the description) takes a different, more systemic tack to the general point you're making - you point out that small channels suddenly blowing up because of a react don't take away from the negative impacts on other channel, but it ends up being more insidious than that when you pull the lens further back and look at the whole ecosystem. Reactors will take $1 from 1000 different people, and occasionally give back $50 to one of them. It's hard to directly notice $1 going missing but the $50 boost is super obvious, and the ones who got lucky suddenly have a platform to support Reactors as a force for good! Basically, just because some people win the lottery doesn't mean it's not exploitative en masse. I'd recommend his series a lot - once you understand that dynamic, the other aspects he talks about follow very naturally, and he goes into a lot (like, a lot) of depth on it. He's a divisive character, but he's the only person I've seen talk about this as a systemic dynamic.

[@Poggy]

14 PAGES (I love DV)

[@1_underthesun]

It's a gamble. I've found 3 or 4 of my favorite content creators via Asmongold (including this one), who's videos I now watch on their channels the minute I see them posted. However, that's 3 or 4 channels out of probably hundreds that I've seen on his channel. Then again, the reason there aren't more could simply be that those other content creators videos didn't click with me. I know for certain though that the 3 or 4 I'm now subbed to I wouldn't have ever known existed without having seen them reacted to. So while it seems like I'm defending the practice, I'm actually not as I know my use case for YT isn't typical. For example, I tend to ONLY watch channels I'm subbed to, whereas most people "graze" a little more, thus actually having a chance to find these other channels organically. It's a tricky subject, but I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle, likely with revenue splits for reacted to content.

[@wheneggsdrop1701]

@@Poggyso sad we likely won’t get more since he cut the rambles channel and is avoiding any more drama. Loved the anti reaction series, breath of fresh air on the platform.

[@Meow_Tse-Tung]

He's only seen as divisive because a lot of big streamers and KZbinrs poisoned the well against him after they got called out. They got super defensive, attacked his character, and didn't even try to respond to his criticisms in good faith.

[@Ghettofinger]

@@1_underthesun A revenue split won’t help. People who make original content will never be able to make content as fast as reactors since react channels never do any real work. So they can upload 50 videos before a real creator makes one. This means the algorithm will recommend react channels over the originals EVERY single time, simply because the react channels cheated the algorithm. You can do a revenue split, but the problem won’t go away. You need to make react channels against TOS.

[@MariYumeCh]

I really like your suggestion on KZbin introducing a video tagging system. Especially since they have that for shorts right now. You always come up with banger ideas and I think you making this video really brings to light a lot of unspoken issues on KZbin. Keep up the good work man, super proud of you ❤❤❤

[@Evanz111]

I’ve heard a ton of people talk about this problem, but you’re the only one I’ve seen to actually propose a solution to it, a pretty ingenious one at that. I hope KZbin staff see this video and think about it!

[@Pinsleepe]

Reaction videos are stealing, period. If you can't watch full Netflix or Disney movie and post it on YT then why streamers can do it with KZbin content? It's not the right to quote because it only allow to use parts that are meaningful to the topic.

[@RealHomeRecording]

Also if you're referring to United States copyright law, you can't even take the most substantial portion of a copyrighted work and reuse it without permission or license. That's how the fair use provisions are written. So for example if there was body camera video and the react video shows the part where the police officer shot someone, but the actual video itself is a half hour long, the shooting would be the most substantial part. This may not be the best example because police worn body camera footage is technically public domain, but it's the best example I have off the top of my head. In the case of a movie the ending would be the most substantial part. So yeah these reactors couldn't even get away with using a clip if it was the most important section of a copyrighted work!

[@Torbarian]

You can watch netflix or disney you just have to make sure you are doing it in a legal manner just like react streamers are doing. If you dont like the rules thats one thing but to hate on the people playing in the rat race following the rules isnt fair.

[@Pinsleepe]

@@Torbarian I couldn’t care less if someone is stealing from Disney that is making tons of money and do not want to properly compensate their employees or contractors. I care about creative work of random people who just want to share their creativity with others for free on social media and some KZbinrs are stealing their work to make useless comments and earn money. Also whatever platform says in their rules the law states as someone kindly commented above. You can’t just play the whole thing on your video or stream just the parts you want to comment otherwise owner can sue you.

[@Torbarian]

@@Pinsleepe No you are not understanding and thats okay its already been proven that it is fair use but all good you can go to court and argue that and try to over turn the current rules but as it stands we can.

[@Pinsleepe]

@@Torbarian it depends where you live. Moreover, if something is legal it doesn’t mean it’s moral. For example it was legal for a company to produce drinks with alcohol and sell it in same packaging as fruit mousses for kids. But the whole country got so mad that they stopped production even before politicians had time to do more than just comment on it.

[@nightwolfMKT]

I remember way back when youtube had official video replies, everyone hated the reply girls. Now they're some of the biggest channels.

[@tarnetskygge]

KZbin literally changed their algorithm because it was overly favouring the low quality content of the reply girls. They correctly identified reaction content as something that was having a negative effect on both users and original video creators. Modern reaction content is presumably the same but they don't care any more, only ad revenue matters now.

[@joedav67]

It's worth pointing out that reply girls never showed the original video either. They just looked sexy while talking about nothing for a few minutes. In a way, these modern reactors are worse

[@a-Stalk3r]

​@@joedav67 How do you know?You don't watch them.

[@renflowergrapx]

I remember of that time people started to exploit the RE: to promote their videos under viral/huge videos only for the numbers and not for being actually related to that video.

[@joedav67]

⁠​⁠@@a-Stalk3r how do I know what? That reply girls never showed the original video? That reactors show the entire original video? That reply girls just look sexy while saying nothing for a few minutes? I made a few claims, be more specific

[@LastNight193]

DarkViperAU got a lot of hate for this years ago, he made good videos covering why reaction harms everyone.

[@theVtuberCh]

They hated him because he told the truth.

[@Hash1Suspect]

@@theVtuberChI mean I hate him because he’s a weirdo with how he behaves. Him making one video saying something that everybody is thinking does not change my opinion on him, same with a lot of others who feel the same way.

[@Amphibian42]

ironically he ripped the video off from someone else

[@theVtuberCh]

@@Hash1Suspect most of the stuff about him being a weirdo is reaction content makers clipping him out of context or just lieing.

[@xBINARYGODx]

@@theVtuberCh yes... of course. do go on.

[@duncdunc76]

I've been watching you tube since 2008. It is my favorite entertainment/educational platform for sure. I'm subbed to probably 50 channels that I do watch and check in with regularly. I've wondered for years how great vids and channels that I've come across don't get the love that I think they deserve. Especially when there's alot of garbage on you tube today that seems so popular. This vid has been eye opening and and very informative! I just luckily had your vid pop up in my recommends, and you now have a sub that will explore your chan for sure. Ive already watched a few of your vids and am enjoying everything ive watched so far. Thanks for creating something good on You tube!

[@tiggerdagamer]

Joah strife hayes has talked about this exact thing as someone who personally blew up partially due to Asmon reacting to his videos and he has a similar stance. He is thankful for it happening because it benefitted him but he is critical of it because it harms more than it helps in most cases

[@xBINARYGODx]

ah yes "it was good for me so its great, but its bad for so many others so its bad - but anyway, like comment and subscribe, ya'll!" Anyway Josh is a garbage, but you free to watch garbage - that IS was most of youtube is

[@JoshStrifeHayes]

​@@xBINARYGODx :(

[@hmp01]

did you notice asmon is not reacting to josh anymore? its because he told him to stop

[@Tewlipz]

@@xBINARYGODx Impressive work at completely missing the point because it was said by a creator you don't like

[@omensoffate]

@@hmp01that doesn’t mean he can steal whatever content he wants

[@Dreaming5]

‘I have one cat named Zoe.’ Umm excuse me. Pay the pet tax.

[@dreamerlotus]

Agreed, bring on the Zoe pics

[@walterehmann8799]

Yeah, seriously…how are you going to mention a sweet lil’ baby kitty and not share pictures? Should be criminal

[@poeticsilence047]

We were originally here for the talk but stayed for the cat.

[@bedgegog]

le chungus wholesome 100 doggo

[@HackTheMinotaur]

Awesome suggestions here!

[@nickchambers3935]

Your hair is absolutely glorious dude. It’s been fun watching the progress

[@catalystcomet]

This is great, It's really refreshing to see somebody act like an adult and talk about these things out in the open. I am not a content creator, but I've seen some reaction videos from people that I actually like and well, now that I know how much more damaging they can actually be it's much less likely I'll be clicking on those reactions. I'm sorry that people are giving you hate, that's I guess to be expected but also as someone that's pretty sensitive to things like that myself, I hope that you've got friends to talk to you about it if it is something you're sensitive to as well. Remember that a lot of us really appreciate what you do and have been here for a long time. That's really exciting about your camera by the way, I hope it's as great as you wanted!

[@One.Zero.One101]

One thing preventing the discussion of this topic is the cult-like fanboys of these KZbin celebrities. Kids are prone to hero-worship at that age, I can't imagine a grown-ass adult wasting time to brigade for a KZbin celebrity, but hey we're on the internet, there's probably some of them too.

[@AfroGaz71]

take it down a notch there hero. It's not that big a deal. You don't have to engage in the comments if you don't want to.

[@starzies]

Leaving you a positive comment just because. Wound up here because of your chiptole video and I'm very happy I stayed, becaus your channel is great. The way you present infromation really feels like listening to a friend talking about their current interest. It's just a nice vibe all around, no matter what you're talking about.

[@dirtyshubb]

Reaction channels are honestly pretty worthless 99% of the time. Typically they don't provide any worthwhile commentary because the medium doesnt allow it. Either they watch in silence and comment at the end which is just stealing the content or they constantly pause it to comment and then end up judging the video on statements that haven't even been finished in the video so its wrong. Commentary channels are much better, they dont watch it live, can show relevant clips without playing the entire video and can have structured and thought out commentary on the overall package.

[@AlexanTheMan]

IHE called this stuff out over 7 years ago yet somehow reaction videos still get off scott free.

[@JanPospisilArt]

"I'm not blaming Asmongold" - you should blame Asmongold.

[@BlaizeTheDragon]

If I see one more asmondgold reacts clip I'm gonna lose it. That squirrel looking mother fucker knows full well he's abusing the algorithm

[@ilari90]

Why? I've found tens of channels because of him and subscribed to those. In few weeks his reactions have raised few channels from 100-1000 subs to 5-10 k subs and they have thanked him.

[@JanPospisilArt]

@@ilari90 You should blame Asmongold for being Asmongold, aka a disgusting piece of shit grifter.

[@monsterboomer8051]

@@ilari90 This can also hurt those channels in the long run. They might be stigmatized by viewers that their channels grew only because of Asmongol's reaction.

[@joedav67]

@@ilari90 how have their views been? Have they seen an increase? What about all the other reaction videos competing in the algorithm with all original content? How about the fact Asmon doesn't need to show you the entire video to introduce you to a channel?

[@aniforprez]

completely off topic but it's INCREDIBLE that the audio levels of when you spoke into the mic in an outdoor field are the exact same as when you're clearly indoors in front of the green screen. unless you're doing something really obvious like dubbing over the outdoor footage, that level of audio engineering effort is amazing. great job with that if it's real

[@kritikalgamer]

He could be indoors using a green screen.

[@aniforprez]

@@kritikalgamer unless he has a god tier lighting setup that mimics the same lighting as the background and the literal sun, no he's definitely in the field

[@BloodwolfMusic]

There is an audio tool named compression. It allows you to suppress unwanted noise below a certain point

[@demonicsquid7217]

​@@BloodwolfMusic that's called a noise gate

[@StuartHetzler]

Audio cleanup tools have come a long way in just the last 2 years. It's probably just a plugin or even a native feature of his NLE at this point.

[@ImJuneski]

A 2-3 week grace period on reaction content uploads may help the situation too, as most of the time the bulk of a videos growth happens during that time. Really hope this video blows up too. Your videos are ELITE man, very glad I clicked on the 'why youtube feels different' video. 🔥🐐

[@illpunchyouintheface9094]

Nah just don’t steal. Keep it simple

[@joedav67]

I got a better idea, don't make reactions. Do actual shoutouts. "Hey I watched this video and you should check it out, it's cool". Why do you need to show the entire original in order to advertise it?

[@a-Stalk3r]

@@joedav67 Stop telling people what to do,hitler died 80years go,move on. They aren't watching the video to advertise it,it's a positive outcome,suck it up.

[@OrientalPearl]

You made some very good points. I don’t think it’s fair that KZbin allows this.

[@assassin415]

its not youtube allowing it its the literal LAW allowing it. If youtube banned it they would get a flood of annoying lawsuits

[@sindremeg]

Watching this I realize how different my KZbin-experience is to many others. No reaction videos are ever recommended in my feed and I hope it stays that way!

[@mjbates]

lol, me too. I used to think it was weird I've never seen or been recommended a Mr. Beast video, but now I think it means I'm doing something right.

[@SoAaron_]

Any time I do see one, I make sure to select don't recommend channel so I never see them again

[@resphantom]

I had to use ublock origin to purge YT shorts, because they kept coming back at some point.

[@ChiefGore429]

I will get recommendations for asmonds right after this now, I'm sure

[@tomar81]

So basically people who watch react videos are at fault here and they should be punished

[@MyReviews_karkan]

I'm here for the support, brother. I make it my mission to never watch a second of those "react" videos. I even tell KZbin to not recommend those channels anymore.

[@martin-1965]

Yup 100% with you and do the same. React videos are generally low-effort attempts to benefit from someone elses hard work. There are exceptions for sure, but generally it's just unwatcheable rubbish - like having someone annoyingly talking over and pausing a movie or TV show so you can't even get to watch and appreciate the original work in the first place.

[@AudioYT]

I even downloaded an extension to hide asmon and xqc content on yt and twitch 😂

[@WellDoneOnTheInternetEverybody]

Not sure if the osrs soundtrack *Barbarism* during 6:20 explaining how the clippers ruthlessly steal content was metaphorically intended, but considering my algo didnt pick this up until day 13 I'll believe it to be so anyways 😂

[@ThatguycalledJoe]

My understanding is if you want to help the video without watching it again, just mute the tab and let it run.

[@PhantomAarantula]

Same

[@omensoffate]

No one does that

[@ThatguycalledJoe]

@@omensoffate I guess I'm no one.

[@sped325]

yeah this isn't a solution, majority wouldn't do that, so youtube should just implement a reaction tag when uploading videos and split revenue instead of excusing it by telling people to do this which most won't

[@lchap0506]

@@ThatguycalledJoe ok, good on you, but you’re not what the vast majority of viewers do. Aside from the fact that a majority of people watch KZbin on mobile and not desktop nowadays, you’re asking people to put a conscious effort to do something time consuming they would never do otherwise purely for a mostly unseen benefit for some KZbinr they’ve never even watched before. Idk if what you’re saying is a genuine suggestion to this issue, but if it is, it’s a really bad one. Expecting and asking the people to just change their behavior without any adjustment to the system/user experience is never an effective solution, and it shouldn’t be the responsibility of the audience to recompense a creator who was stolen from by someone else anyway.

[@Sadgirlttv]

As a Twitch streamer, I appreciate you speaking out about this. These are things I had never considered and will definitely use this to guide how and what content I post on social media/KZbin. Great content btw!

[@ThEEPOPO9]

I really like how open with your opinions and data you are. Very rare to see someone on this platform show us all the background and behind the scenes of their work. I just subbed after finding your videos for the first time this month. Excited to see what else you cover.

[@MrAGame]

Well done Zack!! Your channel quality and growth this past year has been so great to see. Great job exposing a problem that KZbin really needs to address.

[@AceBattleStorm]

Thank you for explaining it in such a clear and through way! I've always felt this way about people reaction to other KZbin videos

[@SquareTableDegenerates]

KZbin seems to push scammers and people who cover scammers, it's a proverbial circle jerk of depravity, as someone who strives for legit fun vibes and good times, not getting pushed like that irks me, but I chose this life. Love your videos homie.

[@wellwellwelp]

They also protect scam advertisers. I’ve reported dozens of advertisements that stole gameplay footage from games like Elden Ring or Palworld pretending to be new mobile games. Google always reports back that they have no problems at all with advertising scams

[@ayrei1503]

From lackluster/effortless react content to "faceless" channels reuploading shorts with a quick voiceover or their "green-screened" head hidden somewhere, KZbin needs to stop paying people to essentially repost other peoples content.

[@annaczgli2983]

That was so well explained. Subbed.

[@scottb2698]

The fact that there is no built-in revenue share for react videos is wild.

[@HoneyLavenderMacchiato]

I like your idea of react videos linking to the original creator and benefitting them. I may be mistaken, but I feel like there was a time, back in earlier KZbin, where react videos were actually direct response videos, and they were linked right under the original video. I wonder if they could bring back something similar but made to fit modern-day KZbin.

[@migoreng7789]

it stopped being a thing bc iirc some people took advantage of the system and tried to be the first 'response' showing in the little window by right of the video cause when it was for example music video or some viral video, people would click on it and it was a way to rake in easy views

[@unwono]

Crediting someone is not compensation for stealing someone's work.

[@randomtinypotatocried]

@@migoreng7789I remember the reply girls (kinda similar situation). Oh right like Jinx

[@edwuano7]

whats really frustrating about this to me (and why i unsubbed a basketball channel) is that you dont know its a reaction video until you watch it. if i’d gotten the heads up i wouldn’t have clicked on it because i dont want to see you commentate on someone else’s work with sleezy, over the top reactions.

[@Omar_GnomeBoisTCG]

Well said take on such a nuanced topic with a lot of different moving parts (creators, streamers, clippers, youtube, fans). Fantastic work.

[@iRywo]

Can't wait to see a vid tomorrow with the title *KZbinR ROASTS ASMONGOLD, React content isn't good?!?* Great video and great points man! Especially the revenue split. While they aren't making the content, they are having an impact by reacting to it, both negative and positive. Revenue splitting would be a fantastic start to a healthy partnership with content creators and reacters!

[@sortaspicey9278]

I've also noticed an influx of KZbin shorts, live channels, just playing pre-recorded videos

[@SpookyDeer]

I knew this was coming after I saw your tweet. Incredible work as always

[@BNMotive]

This is rather amusing. I noticed this very thing happening this past week. I saw 5 Asmongold react videos recommended and each time I would skip his videos and go straight to the original content. I even told youtube to stop recommending his channel.

[@Penrose707]

Newfound fan Zack, very concisely put. A simple heuristic of clip channels waiting to harvest from content for at least a month could mitigate a lot of the video drop off issues imho

[@Yolligraphone]

KZbin pushed the reaction video to your fast food video to my recommendations. I'd never seen one of your videos before. I opened the video and was annoyed that it was a reaction video, so I immediately clicked the link and watched the original, then subscribed to you.

[@jayspeidell]

Same. Got recommended only the reaction.

[@MarkFaldborg]

I am a little too into this changing location on cut format. It is very good. Love your work Zackary :)

[@lil_crossgg1029]

Zach I genuinely appreciated your work in the last video and love how you went about this video

[@vidarmors]

DarkViperAU has been the most vocal about this especially against Asmongold. I hope this video gets to him

[@DerriStudios6969]

Sadly I don't think he's gonna respond to this ever.

[@William.Kelly7]

He's not a good rep of the issue

[@esbenm6544]

@@William.Kelly7 wrong

[@xBox360BENUTZER]

@@esbenm6544 Not really, atleast he talks about the video content and his editor links the original video compared to the majority that maybe respond with a "I agree" every few minutes.

[@dib327]

DarkViper the same dude who said reactors are equal to drugging and raping women?

[@Daosguard]

I'm gonna enjoy watching your video on Asmonds channel in a few days.

[@kitctrl]

Genuinely love how well researched and well spoken your videos are. Despite what some comments said on your other video, I hope more of your videos pop up and that KZbin actually listens to their smaller creators for once instead of only listening to the Big Ones.

[@Nanerpus27]

I clicked on this video expecting hate towards Asmon's political leanings or personality, but was instead treated to a complaint that wasn't just fair, it was thoughtfully put and INCREDIBLY nice. You so easily could have turned this into beef or a KZbin war and shot up the algorithm like crazy, but instead opted to just make good points. Subscribed.

[@erikhendrickson59]

They're directly linked. You have absolute GHOULS like Asmonfreak on stream every day telling kids that poor people are "just lazy and stupid" so they deserve to be poor. Meanwhile, he's a literal thief with zero talent of any kind. If he wasnt STEALING content from actual creatives, he'd be working minimum wage like the people he criticizes

[@Cinematic_Jesse]

12:23 that would be great to have options such as react friendly for music reactions. Its a 50/50 gamble when I do my reactions. It is what it is 🤷

[@tbk2010]

That was a lot more thoughtful than I expected it to be based on the title.

[@BrasilianFury]

Yeah, some of the ideas you (and folks on your thread on Twitter) suggested are incredible suggestions and I'd love to see the implementation of a react-friendly option and the splits being done accordingly. Also, KZbin, it's free real estate and y'all should pay Zackary a consulting fee for it too.

[@Sope05]

I really love DarkviperAU's take on React contact, he even made a whole series on it which in my opinion is fire

[@ashikelahie6035]

Can't wait for the "thieves" to react this video. Great video, man.

[@fregus.]

man, as much as i love seeing this be an accepted point of view, it's really a gut-punch after DarkViperAU was sent endless pure hatred for "saying sitting watching other people's hard work and profiting off it is immoral". I'm glad the tides have turned, but i don't understand how anyone supported it in the first place.

[@Tubeytime]

The human race is all growing together. We all marching forward into ever-unknown territory with the collective understanding that new morality is being invented on a near-daily basis, and some of the rules take time to figure out. The good news is that change is unstoppable.

[@BulyssesBwachowski]

​@@Tubeytimeor we are damned to oblivion because we invented slavery and refuse to quit doing it for literally tens of thousand, if not hundreds of thousands of years. Be real, dude

[@Alexketchem]

Love that you made this as a follow up… that Twitter thread made me so mad.

[@baileynicole1824]

I think having something be tagged as react content would be a great idea. The revenue split or view sharing might get a little complicated when you add in creators that make videos about problematic people to show people that they should not be supporting them. Plus, youtube's already rife with falsely claiming videos. A new way for youtubers to claim someone reacted to their content to gain profit would draw in people with bad intentions. All that being said tagging a video as react and maybe having the other person's video directly linked into that persons title if they are specifically reacting to one video might be beneficial... maybe (im not a youtuber, just a fan)

[@maymorning8504]

Wow this looks like a cool video. I hope someone reacts to it soon so I can watch it! If there isn’t a dude nodding in the corner or simply leaving the room midway through idk how I’m supposed to stay engaged 🧐

[@sushorts5845]

Zackary your voice is a melody, your speech makes total sense. Keep the videos coming bossman. much love!

[@garrettknorr9186]

I better not see anyone hating on Zack! Found this man last week and have watched every. single. video. It’s some of the best content on KZbin

[@AfroGaz71]

He's a clown. Now what you gonna do about it. 😂

[@a-Stalk3r]

@@AfroGaz71 Kiwi gives a War Dance.

[@BradKubota]

I think a great solution to this would be to have a similar system to copyright strikes, but where the original creator can flag the video, and instead of getting taken down, it basically "attaches" to the video. Any views from the reaction video count as a view to the original, and ad revenue is split. This would allow for multiple reaction videos to compound the views and revenue for the creator, while still only applying 0.5 to each individual reactor.

[@mjbates]

I like this idea in most cases. I've seen many "react" videos where an actual scientist will react to a flat-earther or cryptozoologist or whatever. They might spend five minutes explaining each sentence of the crack-pot's video. I don't know if I'd want to see a 50/50 split for that kind of thing.

[@BradKubota]

@@mjbates I mean at the end of the day it's still content and it's theirs. Whether we personally agree with the content or not is not really up to us.

[@jeremiahbell6129]

@@mjbates I assume that KZbin's algorithms would be good enough to pick up the times that the original video is being played. It would actually be better if, while the original video is being played, 100% of the watch time/ad revenue is given to the original creator. Then, while the video is not being played, 100% of the watch time is being given to the new creator. So, if a person is doing a reaction video where they are actually engaged and spending time to comment on a video, they generate far more revenue/time. Alternatively, if it's SSSniperwolf or xQc garbage, they'd make essentially nothing, because they just watch the video straight, barely pausing, and barely reacting.

[@One.Zero.One101]

Copyright strikes were built for corporations, I have a hard time believing KZbin will use it for small-time channels.

[@mjbates]

@@jeremiahbell6129 100% no notes.

[@WickedWildNWise]

I am glad to see somebody payin attention Thanx 4 vid

[@PanicattheDiscourse]

Here I was thinking it was pronounced Smigel, not Smigel.

[@ZackarySmigel]

Love your username lol

[@PanicattheDiscourse]

@@ZackarySmigel it's pretty apt for your channel too 😂

[@actuallyjustbored]

I hate that I actually saw the two words differently on the first read.

[@SoyChrisDarker]

My solution in mind: Mark a video as "REACTING TO." Allocate 75% of the revenue to the owner of the original video that people are reacting to. Will many people stop reacting? Maybe. However, it’s important to ensure fairness for those who put effort into creating content, rather than just reacting or commenting on it.

[@DiskiDomain]

The thieves will still keep making them if there's money to be made. I mean how difficult is it to just sit and comment on a video compared to creating it. If they chose not to react then it's a win for the original creator. Either way it would be a win for the original creator and that's what should count the most firstly. This change should have been done over a decade ago

[@tigerseye09]

Not how fair use laws work. Sorry.

[@The_Ham_Sandwich]

5:20 aint no way my man hit me with the runescape sound track mid essay

[@DustinHarms]

What's wild to me is that YT's system for identifying copyright and re-uploads is advanced enough to make calls that could potentially destroy a channel, but apparently they don't care to use that technology FOR creators. What I mean is, if they used that tech to allocate ad revenue from the react video directly to the original creator (first person to upload the content), it would help everyone. Especially if it was advanced enough to divide the revenue by how much of the video is the original vs. react. In that case, someone that makes a banger video gets their just payment basically automatically, even if most of the views come from other channels. It would be great for original creators and incentivize people to create original content.

[@DustinHarms]

Just to add, similar to takedowns/copyright, a react video should be required to link to the original, in a similar fashion to what's recommended in the video here. This would also make it easy for YT's tech to split revenue fairly by the amount of react vs. original content, as well as make it very easy for watchers of the react to get to the original. If react channels refuse to do this, they should risk takedowns (which should be very easy to police since the original upload has a timestamp).

[@OnlyJoshinTV]

@@DustinHarms Links are a 1.0% clickthrough - just don't react - make your own video. The reactor shouldn't be getting any split from the person who made the content.

[@S1ipperyJim]

YT already has systems in place for this for creators, creators just rarely flag their stolen content. You literally get sent any copyright matches of your own content with the option to flag it. I guess people are too scared of backlash if they flag asmongold etc

[@biauas]

DarkViperAU was right all along and yet people hated him for his views.

[@popdogfool]

Looking for a DarkViper mention haha

[@Evanz111]

Plus Jay Exci and their videos about it too!

[@alexties6933]

they hated him for critizising their favorite streamers who they built a parasocial relationship to

[@ThisisCitrus]

Thats always how it goes, JackSepticEye called out MrBeast years ago and now look at things.

[@moonman2183]

Was looking for the DarkViperAU mention as well. I always knew reaction content was a leech on this platform, but the way that Matt explained how and why this is was well articulated.

[@zeromailss]

Can't wait to see reaction of this video

[@notneeded5777]

Funny enough I found you through Asmond’s clip that did so much damage. I was gonna post a comment how I still subscribed despite his react and watched your original video only to see I never hit the subscribe button. Point proven but I now follow the channel and looking forward to future videos.

[@LiberPrimus]

KZbin increasingly resembles the organizational structures of a large private company; new employees work extremely hard to make a name for themselves and the established ones reap the rewards. Wasn't KZbin once a place where it was all about broadcasting yourself? There's brainrot everywhere, especially since the introduction of KZbin shorts. I'm leaning more and more towards leaving KZbin for good. Don't forget that a lot of us are still here because of people like you Zack; please never stop making videos!

[@fatherWolt]

Asmond using the EXACT title in his video is just so unnecessarily shitty.

[@jeremiahbell6129]

As mentioned, it's likely not Asmon himself who does it, but Asmon condones it from his editor. I'd be more fine with it if Asmon's titles were something like "Reaction to:", but that probably doesn't generate as many clicks.

[@ThisisCitrus]

Asmon is a right wing grifter, so its not surprising.

[@gleipnirrr]

​@@ThisisCitrus AsmOn is A riGht WiNG GrIftER, SO iTs nOt sURprIsiNG. Translation into english from goober language: Asmon has opinions that i don't like. I can't count the number of times Asmon's audience turned against him for having opinions they didn't like.

[@jeremiahbell6129]

@@ThisisCitrus Hmm... let me think... Asmon has said that he supports: abortion, universal basic income, trans and gay rights, marijuana usage, higher taxes on rich people, food stamps.... Oh, and he's very anti-Trump. Yep, sounds like he's right-wing....

[@KarlTheExpert]

​@@gleipnirrrAsmon is a grade AAA goobergooner himself, everything about and from him is loweffort and -quality including his takes. And yes, he feeds rightwing trash by being one of them. He's a rightwing grifter because he, well, has 'opinions' that make him one. It's not that complicated. Nasty dude.

[@WavePotter]

I make reaction videos myself, but to music which auto copyright claims the music and the ad revenue goes to the original artist. It’s a decent system, but your idea for marking react content and react friendly content is fantastic! And if there was a revenue split, for the original creator to be compensated, that would be even better.

[@I_AM_MANDROID]

Ask any performer or creative how they like it when they're paid in 'exposure' to a larger audience instead of actual money - it's trash.

[@reed3863]

11:28 Improve youtube? No. MOAR ADS and keep trying to disable adblock while keeping the bots and false take downs in tact.

[@3nertia]

Profits over People! Thanks capitalism!

[@lightdarksoul2097]

Ads keep these people paid

[@HarvestZ]

KZbin needs to share revenue with the original creator if the reaction includes more than 50-70% of the original video - really simple and easy way to fix this issue while not screwing over people who use other creators videos to talk about small parts of them.

Reaction videos are a way for established, burned out youtubers to stay relevant and newcomers to gain some spotlight while hurting original content creators. I’ve seen some of Asmongold’s videos in the past and I didn’t find them transformative, they were in large part just the source material copied and used with some of his own commentary. After watching them I didn’t feel a need to see the source material. I find it abusive, it’s just bad. There is nothing wrong in using some parts of someone’s video in your own narrative, but most of these reaction videos are just a simple steal of thoroughly prepared content. But that’s only my opinion.

[@seri-ously8591]

The amount of creators responding to thus video in agreement shows how exploited and dire this situation for the creator ecosphere.

[@GeetMadan]

9:23 I was ready for a ground news sponsorship to follow. My brain is broken.