My Video Went Viral. Here's Why

My hypothesis is that the algorithm, rather than viewer preference, drives views on the site. As the algorithm shifts, various KZbinrs experience burnout (as what used to work no longer works) and right now click-through rate is the key metric. So clickable titles and thumbnails are the only way to get a lot of impressions and hence views - they are the only way to go viral. This leads me to wonder which audiences will become most prevalent on the site and if there will even be a place for educational content. In the long-term, hopefully KZbin is able to measure satisfaction through surveys and other metrics to ensure an optimal experience for everyone on the site.
Flipchart artwork by Maria Raykova
Filmed by Raquel Nuno
Thumbnail by Ignat Berbeci

[@SolidEyeYEG]

I appreciate the quality analog PowerPoint presentation, lol.

[@xoxo-sf1zg]

⭕️

[@MArifinDobson]

YEAH super satisfying!

[@vizcarra]

Yeah. It seems like a lot of effort was put into it.

[@johnbonter9486]

@@vizcarra What a bunch of toadies.....bit addicted, myself, though....

[@dket2571]

Yeah, but it was soooo different, so ........unique.

[@GrahamStephan]

This is one of the BEST explanations I have ever heard on this topic. Thank you!

[@VejmR]

Same

[@aljo1589]

Hey, u are the guy from the last Jubilee Middle Ground video

[@fuchsfalke5063]

Nice to see you here

[@AdamLighter1]

Graham, i didnt expect you here, but thats great that you watch those kinds of videos. keep it up

[@acommunist1607]

I Agree comrade

[@sofiapcna]

So fresh and genuine, even 3 years later. Stayed throughout the whole thing, until the video stopped itself. Thank you for caring, Derek.

[@jamiesellick7623]

💯

[@mayganphynix8267]

this was such a well done presentation. I loved it.

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

✌😎

[@artpreo.travel]

Completely agree 😊

[@OccasionalHaHa]

I'M ENJOYING A TREAT DEREKKKKJ

[@smashingpencils]

I love how every time he flips the paper and shows the new page you can see a little glint of pride in his eyes over what he's created

[@fierplayzz2892]

KZbin: *shoves the viral video in our faces* KZbin: *shoves video explaining why viral video went viral into our faces*

[@WanderingRavens]

Came here to say this xD

[@user-cj6xv3ed4m]

shoves? lmao

[@Glocktopus1]

Hazzanger oh Yeah yeah

[@markusalambrofernandez7991]

I have seen greatness. 399 likes

[@lilblankiesama269]

Real Outstanding move.

[@advaitathreya5558]

By far, the most insightful explanation of KZbin's algorithm and how the content is promoted.

[@Shendue]

Doesn't explain why ProZD short "vines", that last mere seconds, are always trending, tho.

[@radbug]

unfortunately, Click Through Rate will always be the metric from the business perspective. Advertisers want to know how many times they can expect to have their Ads viewed, and CTR is the metric that determines that for any video with an Ad at the beginning of the video. In order to reduce the value of the CTR, the Ad structure would have to change. If Ads, for example, were only shown AFTER some amount of time watching a video, like say 2 minutes of video.... then the metric would change. instead of being concerned about CTR, they would be more concerned about Time Watched. In other words, the AD STRUCTURE dictates the algorithm structure.

[@radbug]

@@Shendue re: vines... because they are SHARED a lot more (actually clicking on the share button) because people share tiny funny clips, they dont really share long videos

[@aplusk3081]

That actually makes sense. I hope KZbin team implement your idea so that clickbaity video will be reduced significantly

[@MyOrce]

Yes, and also an A+ in arts and crafts

[@ProfessorOfHow]

Undoubtedly, the BEST Explanation!

[@lyonchonk]

Why does a 1.6m subscriber channel have only 10 likes

[@prashantgamer69]

Aap yaha kaya mil gaye!

[@anshusrivastava5029]

@@lyonchonk because he is a INDIAN YT channel and very less INDIANS are watching this video ryt now.

[@AstrayYouth]

मैं इस विडियो को 2 साल बाद देख रहा हूं जो मुझे 2 साल पीछे दिखाता है

[@5MadMovieMakers]

I wonder how much the autoplay on mobile is going to affect the thumbnails; you might only see it for a second before it starts playing

[@Jiglias]

damn only 8 likes

[@sukari_]

So we arent gonna talk about his amazing drawings?

[@ThreesixnineGF]

Quality and effort for sure!

[@LuisSierra42]

They are great

[@clos3y]

He credits the artist in the description

[@nyanmaru2747]

Not his drawings, see description, sorry to disappoint

[@WhatTheHekstra]

It says in the description the flip chart was done by Maria Raykova.

[@Sciencerely]

I am a stem cell researcher doing science videos but none of my topics are as complicated as the KZbin Algorithm

[@dimitar4y]

HA! Good luck with stem cell research though, as an actual scientist, that shit's both dope and useful. Lookin' forward to owning our own bodies from stupid genetics.

[@loltgay7052]

Ur vids are good keep up the good work. Sub to this man!

[@Sciencerely]

@@dimitar4y Haha, it's great fun working in this field! We are actually making first progress in the development of tissues and organs from skin cells of patients as well. Of course it will take a long time until we are able to create complex organs but there is currently a clinical trial trying to cure type 1 diabetes through the usage of stem cells. I made a video about this if you are interested and will post the results once they have been published!

[@Sciencerely]

@@loltgay7052 Thanks man, really appreciate it!

[@1AxK9]

Do something for Thalassemia, Please.

[@kensuroourrukai9555]

How many creators are even honest about what they're doing with their videos and why? Man actually is getting forced by KZbin to make clickbait and admits that on screen and apologized for it 🤦🏻😂👍 You sir can do whatever you have to as long as some of the content you make its always the amazing science material we have been seeing and loving 💯

[@BreadBoys]

ok but what if youtube just recommends your videos to everyone for no reason like they did to us in 2020

[@IsM1ku]

because it's funny

[@daveforz]

some people get lucky I guess

[@crazychicken8290]

ok

[@JustSomeGuyWithAMug]

Because you weren't known = novelty and unexpected video content Your videos were short = 100% or more watchtime Your titles and thumbnails are literal memes

[@Stefano--]

Actual physical drawing and charts are much more easy and pleasant to follow, great work Derek !

[@ethanchoi1133]

Flipchart artwork by Maria Raykova

[@Stefano--]

@@ethanchoi1133 Yes I red it afterward 👍

[@ethanchoi1133]

@@Stefano-- yep

[@Inseut]

Yes!! They feel much more welcoming, as if Derek were teaching us something at home. That oldschoolness of graphs etc keep you interested more than these plain digital drawings and animations.

[@alan4sure]

@@Stefano-- you "red" it, did you? I read that you got pushed along through school.

[@Ultrevolous]

This is the single best video pitch for clicking the bell I've ever heard in my life

[@radbug]

SO.... now every youtuber presentation: "EVERY CLICK ON THE BELL REDUCES THE CLICKBAIT!" not unlike: "PAY X Dollars to Remove Ads!" but you wont be getting less ads

[@mikaelbohlinoja]

Lol , I've never felt so right about clicking the bell. Not just because of reducing clickbait but the pure honesty and facts he always puts into his arguments, that's far better than any clickbait!

[@horusbay]

@@christophertoole6994 those that are hungry think about bread I guess hahahaha

[@zeusvelez-valencia1054]

at certain points in the video you can see the passion come out and you can see how much he hates asking for what he did at the end and thats what I love about him, great and humble guy

[@BrianTCollins]

Brilliant! This was one of the best authentic videos on this topic of clickbait marketing and human behavior that chases the electrical eye. Your transparent approach saves countless hours of biased sales funnel marketing videos. I share your videos often on my telegram channel and promote you when I can. Thank you for all your work and due diligence over the years to bring factual and unique content. Best regards!

[@archvaldor]

Fascinating that Mr Beast has officially become the yoda of clickbait.

[@k_mack28]

Yes

[@swedishkebab8258]

Mr beast doesnt clickbait?????????

[@thereisnospace]

well there is a new name i have to google

[@Dancor99]

@@outerpol well yeah, its not clickbait in a sense of an actual bait, it clickbait in a sense that the title and thumbnail is optimised to be as catchy as possible. The meaning of the word "clickbait" changed.

[@ajax4887]

I still hate clickbait

[@whiterabbit2786]

I stayed because of the classy hand-drawn art on the paper. Seriously. That was worth 23 minutes. Hand-drawn art comes from the heart.

[@muffy6519]

HA he didn't even draw it! Maria did!! Hahah

[@Narinjas]

If you search for content that does not care about algorithm and KZbin itself but cares about bringing educational and fun facts to make people laugh and learn then check "Fact Fiend - With Karl Smallwood" (he was and still is a writer on "Today I Found Out" but he wanted control over the output).

[@muffy6519]

@@andermium I guess that's possible, it just seemed to me that it was HEAVILY implied that he drew it and I thought it was comedic seeing as how he seemed to think it showed his heart ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@healthepetveterinaria5984]

I loved it as well! He made animations like it was a power point. #paper-pointPresentations

[@rockstarpaper719]

I just realized I watched a 23 minute video. Felt like 10 minutes

[@vinylwalk3r]

I find it amazing that when I go back to videos you made several years ago (like this one) you had, already then, that calm and informative style that your held on to. Its one big reason why i subbed to you when I found your channel, you are a GREAT teacher! Looking forward to learning even more interesting facts about the universe and ourselfs from your channel! Keep doing what you love!

[@muhammadtaha07]

Honesty and Authenticity are qualities that I like about this Video. Keep up the great Educational Content!

[@tomaszweclawiak855]

I loved your "analog" presentation. So un-flashy. So slow and calm. So clear. So beautiful. Great content! Always love to return to your channel.

[@greenricky4782]

Tomasz Weclawiak your right, that’s why it was so engaging and personal

[@malcolmlim2972]

Couldn't have said it better. A unique way for Veritasium to present info and it's very easy for me to digest all those info personally.

[@wendel8505]

Big facts

[@ethank5681]

LOL hope it’s not because Derek is having to cut budgets

[@David-wg7iq]

Yeah most click bait is just that... a little flash with a lot of disappointment.

[@MrAsd1010]

KZbin : Algorithm Derek :Improvise Adapt Overcome

[@emilyscloset2648]

Hey its a brutal world

[@jmarch_503]

Like in everything

[@vinayhaalgaar]

KZbinrs like you can educate the audience about the importance of watching the Subscription window than the Home window where all these trickery happens. I stay on my subscription window all the time to avoid the Global junk. Great content man! Having said all that, I found your channel through the algorithm itself I guess & I subscribed after watching just that 1 video of yours. Because content is king. As you rightly said, make videos that you're happy about or proud of. I believe that, if your content is better than others, no algorithm can beat you. And if your content is following the trend, someday you'll fall behind. That's the longest comment I've ever left on KZbin. You earned it 👍🏼

[@ExplorinDoranRBrown]

Beast was spot on!! Your best video performing by FAR!!! Genius!

[@thejiminator8816]

Just in case the algorithm doesn't show your video's, I've already made it a habit of searching your channel to see what you are up to. I absolutely love this channel.

[@tmmtmm]

Pretty sure that was canned at least 6 months ago. At least I've yet to come across a video from a subscribed channel that didn't appear in my subscription feed for quite some time now.

[@GMPStudios]

But your DP sucks.

[@ReefHeater]

That's only if you check your subscription feed. I never do. i dont like to becuase ive subbed to so many channels in the past most are irrelevant to me now

[@nafishy]

I have clicked the bell icon so I always get notification from veritasium ... Whenever I get online I watch it

[@studyaccount2160]

Sameeee.

[@farissto]

I can honestly say that the paper board is super effective! It keeps me engaged watching throughout the whole video.

[@carlangaz007]

I didn’t expect to watch the whole video, I didn’t even care about the topic but the way he explained it made it interesting

[@samarpitachatterjee4974]

Yes , this is true ...

[@adolfodef]

It is something about the SOUND of the paper each time he pulls it up...

[@CenLAStormSpotters]

Agreed 100%

[@CionnFE]

I rang the bell! This is the first time ever that I have done this. Why? I like this man and how he outlined and explained the workings of the platform, such that I think I can better use it in future. Also, Derek, you have a quality of humility which allows your work to shine. A quality which is uncommon, rare even. Thanks

[@pythonsriracha4944]

Loved the fact that this was a hand crafted presentation rather than a power point. Always loved the effort you put in to make every single one of your videos!

[@vee_JAy]

That's what I was thinking!

[@kaygee8260]

I'm fine with the clickbaity thumbnails and titles as long as the video itself is high quality

[@gotworc]

Clickbait is fine but it's not okay when it's misleading. If we didn't use clickbait no one would get views

[@Furiends]

Well if youtube is pushing videos to you primarily based on the thumbnail and title then the chances of the video being high quality are slim just because of how many videos are going up. So its predicated that videos somehow have a quality filter beforehand but youtube doesn't care about that as long as you watch it.

[@something3194]

clickbait still clickbait : even when a taxi driver is kind, when he try to trick you, you feel the need to punch him in the face

[@sonsofmothers]

Brave Wilderness does this right

[@basshuntet6128]

the purpose of clickbait is to misleading content lol

[@ArenasWorld]

In my opinion your "96M black balls" was a far stretch from "actual (edit: misleading) clickbait". The title and thumbnail represent the subject of the video and everything shown in them is eventually addressed in the video. EDIT: After having Googled the exact definition of "clickbait", you could argue that it was in fact clickbait. I automatically made the assumption "clickbait = bad/misleading" (thanks modern media).

[@manojraghavendran5760]

He's using the word 'clickbait' instead of 'attention-grabbing', I guess.

[@levoGAMES]

A worm is a bait, even though it might taste just as good as you thought.

[@reimarpb]

There is a huge difference between clickbait and misleading clickbait.

[@supreetsahu1964]

Not bait, just catchy way of writing the truth

[@empowermph]

well he admitted to going for sexual innuendo, then beast advised him to tone that down, make it more about the shock value of the number itself, so..yea he admitted to reaching with the bait title, but the picture alone sells it..then this video pops up, because while his balls video is trending, I've also been researching youtube algorithms & viral marketing & here we are..they knew what I wanted.

[@Chocobeary]

Just the moment I saw this video I knew this would help me revive my channel after I was on a lot of hiatus due to my mental health. I forgot how these things works & I'm really happy that you reminded me of it!! Tysm Sir!!

[@stuartbrewer3274]

Just recently discovered your channel. This is the most comprehensive and well thought out ad for nebula/curiosity stream I have ever seen.

[@Felipe-th9wr]

Most compelling argument for clicking the bell. Im sold

[@Dan123407]

me too

[@pr1m3r]

mee too

[@drivethrupoet]

...if notifs get sent once you have. A lot of them don't.

[@PBoten]

This is the first time ever I've clicked that bell

[@jconnolly8912]

The video on how to go viral actually goes viral itself

[@DoomRater]

"Why are there 96,000,000 Black Balls on This Reservoir?" sits at 29M views. "My Video Went Viral. Here's Why" sits at 1.2M views. Not quite viral by the same metric Edit: "Why I went Viral" is now at 1.86M views. Huh. Still not as viral

[@michaeldmingo1525]

Make your own video and see if it goes viral?

[@Julepalme]

Indeed, 5.6M subscribers, in order to determine viral i'd say a video needs substantially more views than subscriber count of the channel :)

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

How did this comment get 230 likes in 2 hours?

[@oxain88]

@@MrLuigi-oi7gm It's foresight comment, in a lack of better term. He predicts that the video will go viral, and a lot of subs will see his comment, and agree. If the video indeed goes viral he will be correct and top comment. If not, the comment will just drown along with the video.

[@yellowtoothpick]

I really appreciated the layers of thinking and the intentional approach to the explanation. Perhaps doing some implications mapping on what the future might look like could help you make some multiple degree leaps on what happens next. I really enjoy your page and I'm glad I found it.

[@evinco6954]

The mission of a KZbin video is to be a good watch, not to be clickable. I can respect that they should technically be the whole package, I like that. If we can say that we've come to the point where the thumbnails and titles have to be good in order for them to be clicked, then the next move is to make the videos actually worth watching appear in people's recommendations.

[@CaptainGrief66]

Well, you deserve a sub just for the presentation on paper

[@P-MK]

from me too

[@kyawsoenaing81]

Me too

[@bernhardmuster2776]

plot twist: the paper presentation was animated

[@hansmeyer7225]

Thanks to Maria

[@mikeyo1234]

I agreed up until he talks about gaming the system and not being authentic. So no subscribe from me.

[@theunboxingexperience3480]

I'm amazed by how much effort was put into the preparation for this video

[@lewisharold]

The Unboxing Experience : I am amazed that a man flew across the English channel on a hoverboard.

[@vwlz8637]

and, in effect, how little effort was put into the post-production

[@rtph1820]

Not much, those are only hand-written presentation

[@gracefulslumber8441]

@@rtph1820 but it's not just messy "slides" with information scribbled onto it without much thought. One could argue that because he had to hand draw a LOT of the elements, and because everything is so clean and layed out so well, that it took MORE effort than an actual PowerPoint. Now, this wouldn't be an entirely fair point since some people who use PowerPoint put a LOT of time and effort into the layout, font, images, slide transitions, etc. Meanwhile other PowerPoint users simply choose the first nice-looking image that pops up in the built-in image search and simply use the default text on a default template with default transitions. Therefore, if he had simply scribbled the information it would have been equivalent to a 'default'/'generic' PowerPoint. However, since he carefully crafted his hand-made presentation, it is equivalent to a PowerPoint presentation with actual time and effort put into it. Just because something is not digital, doesn't mean that it's not as good or took less effort.

[@Loubie2005]

None?

[@rocketscienceinstituteinc8993]

Your productions always show science in action with abundant engineering and technology education--and this is the BEST and most educational yet. I'm grateful!

[@PunkerNinetySix]

I know this is 3 years old now. Just wanted to say that you are the first person to get me to buy in on "ringing the bell" and I've heard that sales pitch a lot. Thank you for the great, informative video. It didn't feel needy at all.

[@kailashv9]

The presentation was just Amazing....Extreme quality vid...

[@NikosNisyros]

Indeed! I enjoyed the drawings very much! Good drawings full of imagination. Great way to put out a video and discuss like that. It is nice to see different techniques being implemented into a production video by your favourite KZbin Creators, from time to time.

[@oscargadefrimann]

So, basically, MrBeast is a KZbin genius.

[@sanujha4501]

I too thought before that he was just a rich man throwing his money but now i know he is a genius.

[@OurFantasyLife]

I watched an interview with him done by Casey Neistat and yeah, I think he is something of a KZbin savant. Even Casey was sort of baffled by his approaches to KZbin and money and his audience.

[@prateekpanwar646]

Who is Mr Beast, Seen this name many times. Edit: Bout' Time

[@cactussitos2338]

@@prateekpanwar646 exactly, that's how be famous works

[@waltervanbrunchem2462]

@ShmeeMagee yeah I also die a lot of extravagant things

[@mitchmerck716]

Thank you . You really broke a mold on my entire approach to titles and thumbnails. I like titles that are clever,relative to the content .sometimes a title just seems right..BUT..it doesn't really resonate with the algorithm I admit...I'm still a bit stubborn I truly hate click bait titles and have even reported channels that were blatantly abusing truth

[@mikeforehand404]

I know this is an older video, but I enjoy your work. I know you are continuing to make really good video material about things that I am interested in. GREAT JOB 🙂

[@shinobix4925]

My take away is that Mr Beast 100% knows what he's doing

[@Xyles7]

tbh KZbin just promotes his videos for free they just have to be from channels xD

[@shinobix4925]

@@Xyles7 Well that might play a part, I don't much about it though. What impresses me is the fact that he gave advice to one guy on what to call his video and that alone was enough to make it go viral. If that doesn't prove that Mr Beast knows what he's doing then I don't know what will

[@kevinw712]

@@shinobix4925 what I THOUGHT he was going to go onto explain after sharing what that guy's advice was, it's helpful if the title has a suggestion of "this is an answer you're going to want to get, but you'll have to fully engage with this video to get it". Which I don't consider "clickbaity" at all, at least if I do understand that term correctly. For the most part I've understood that to be where videos wind up barely making any connection at all of their content with what the title is, that they're more of basically just a bait and switch, because ALL the creator cares about is simply that you performed that one click to start the thing playing at all. So like instead of plainly and flatly stating in your title what the video content is, try and present it in a curiously enticing manner, like a mystery journey the viewer will want to go on.

[@kevinw712]

My take away (although not like I haven't thought this well before now, or plenty of others haven't either) is that KZbin needs some serious goddamn competition once and for all. I'm sure they love they've gotten "too big to fail", as it were, but indeed they're probably too powerful. I like Vimeo a lot, the small amount of content I make that I ever put up anymore, I put it there. But it's the kind of thing where I'm not expecting people who are just on Vimeo anyway to find their way to any of my material, I know the only places anyone sees my stuff are from the other outside sites where I directly link it. But a glorious day for me is if I get like a few thousand views, IN TOTAL lol

[@CrazyGaming-ig6qq]

what?! are you saying he isnt just randomly throwing cash at random people for random reasons?!

[@KnukN]

I love how you don't cut every 5 seconds like most other youtubers, you're able to maintain an explanation. 10/10

[@DoingitWithjason]

But he actually did cut pretty much every five seconds with a second camera angle...so yeah

[@benjaminbuljevic7977]

its called writing a script

[@dontuserachelslurs]

There are cuts, he just does them well. Compare to someone like Legal Eagle (love his content, don't misunderstand) who has really bad, obvious cuts constantly. Because he's probably a little worse at presenting, spends less time to try and get longer good takes, shoots with only one camera so the cuts can't be hidden as well, and probably spends less time editing.

[@leandrometfan]

@@DoingitWithjason It is not a "cut", its a transiction to a different angle, his voice wasnt cut, the angle is the only thing that's changed.

[@DoingitWithjason]

@@leandrometfan actually there were quite a few cuts to his voice track

[@kravisha1]

Your presentation skills and simplicity of rolling out complex stuff like quantum mechanics is perhaps your greatest giving.. you don't know how many 'executives' like me learn that apart from the amazing content.. love your work..

[@loictambe3808]

I dunno how you did that but you convinced me to hit the bell for the first time in about 13 years of watching youtube videos. You really seem like a genuine person and like that aspect of yours but more importantly......... your content is beyong interesting. It's amaaaazing!!!

[@mellamoakshay]

Moral of the story: *Ask Mr. Beast for the title before uploading*

[@thinfourth]

I fooking hate his videos Its moron fodder

[@enotsnavdier6867]

thinfourth Nobody loves you

[@razvanmantu]

@@thinfourth that's what I thought before thinking better. Now I believe he is a very smart guy that also does some good things. I'm not saying you should like him, but at least respect him.

[@alvinsanchez8897]

thinfourth lol....morgz refrence ..

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

Yes MrBeast Master of Clickbait and wholesome dude

[@EliSmith]

I'm so glad you're open with us about the clickbait titles and stuff, way better to share that information than to keep it hidden like most content creators.

[@thepug991]

Eli Smith 100% agree^

[@tester246]

Dam he put so much work in that presentation. RESPECT 100

[@dawsondonaldson3040]

I love this guy, only time I have watched a video and actually clicked the bell when being told to. Thank you for telling me this, I don't want to lose you.

[@TheHugues01]

Man I m watching everyday a lot of YT content. Even subscribed to a couple of channels. But for the first time ever I clicked today on that bell. Don’t even what it does but you deserve it! Keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@SlavicDedede]

Using clickbaity titles and thumbnails are okay. I just need the video to live up to it's thumbnail.

[@pyruvicac.id_]

like this one

[@Eli20021_]

#SayNoToRedArrowsAndCircles

[@ecrivonlunyx]

The trouble is there are lots of good videos that can't accurately be marketed through a thumbnail. So there isn't much insentive to make those videos that people would like to watch.

[@Suveramort]

like mine but lol i only make music

[@janicemaceachern1004]

That infuriates me when the thumbnail is not even a part of the frigging video!

[@osmtel]

Leaving KZbin algorithm aside, the way you presented the content using flip-board is inspiring Great job.

[@Fixided]

Waaàaàaaáâaaaaåãaaaaääááááy better than PowerPoint

[@TommoCarroll]

Bringing a touch of the old school into a video about modern KZbin is pretty great!

[@klapstoelpiloot]

That flip-board is a work of art. You can tell a lot of effort went into this presentation. I enjoyed it even though I don't care to make any youtube videos.

[@izzzzzz6]

I noticed the one about the reservoir and i've seen quite a few of your videos. But i got this one, i didn't watch the black balls one, i never ever hit the bell and looking up i'm not even subscribed. I never hit the bell because i'm addicted to surfing the algo, all day, all night i just hit the youtube banner and it never disappoints!

[@Domospb]

Man, I’ve clicked this “ring the bell button” months, probably years before this video. You really do great things. Keep going. Pathreon or any similar platform should convince you ))

[@keranwing]

Suddenly I realize why all the channels I am subscribed to keep asking us to "click the bell"...

[@zzeron7969]

bruh

[@MechaPuma]

Only Veritasium has the capacity to make a video reacting to his own viral video, and then turn that into a viral video people react to and, in turn, make more viral videos. Congratulations!

[@TommoCarroll]

MechaPuma agreed! It’s actually extremely impressive! Hat’s off to the lad

[@shadodragonette]

He's a physicist, not a philosopher :p

[@PlayNowWorkLater]

I’ve been a fan of your videos for a number of years, so I find it funny that this one popped up for me now. 3 years later, it seems. I think what one of the reasons I click on your videos, are yes, the obvious: I subscribe, like and sometimes comment… but more so in the fact that I will watch the entire video. I hadn’t thought about that aspect before you mention that in this video. And it makes sense. Of course videos that are engaging from start to finish, should get more exposure. It reminds me of my University days, where some teachers would have my full attention the entire class, and I would be excited to go to the next class. And furthermore, when I didn’t get the grade I thought I would, those same professors would make time for me, with office hours, so that I could learn more about what they are looking for in assignments and papers. I was driven to do better, because I wanted to get the most out of this temporary relationship. Get better grades, understand more, and yeah, get that feedback and accept from the professor. I love your videos. And I hope you keep going and going. Always such interesting and engaging content. I would love to see a follow up to THIS particular video, and what you may have taken from the feedback, and direction you’ve taken in the last 3 years. Any new insights? Thanks

[@DJMDesign]

Can't believe youtube hasn't recommended your videos until my young brother told me this video can help my channel checked it out mind blown at the simplicity of your explination. So so grateful going to be using this asap!

[@smartereveryday]

Well done sir. Everything about this is awesome. Also, I needed you to cut every string and you did so thanks for that.

[@scottvtecm8]

Yes! But did you click that bell Destin?? :-)

[@SMBKAR7]

Smarter

[@Njs1211]

Dastin 👌👌 You also make awesome videos Manipulating KZbin was 👌 video I am inspired by you Thanks.

[@NikiHerl]

Cutting (all) the strings is an analogy that doesn't actually work imo. AFAIK, KZbin never actually decided to ignore subscriptions, as in: not showing users videos of channel they subscribed to. There might have been glitches here or there, but overall, the subscription feed works as it always has. So the "battle" Derek is describing is happening, but it's (only) happening in the "recommended" feed.

[@LightningTheGod]

Your videos are not that awesome as you may think

[@michaeljamesfitzgerald8142]

Clickbait is only clickbait when the video doesn't live up to the hypeline. Writing enticing hypelines is great for business when your videos are great too. You win this one.

[@NathanCho]

@John Dough technically yes

[@shirkit5798]

Dude, clickbait titles is what instigate curiosity.

[@DenerWitt]

@@loscilla Clickbait. As in a bait for a trap. As in something meant to trick and to mislead people. So an interesting video with an interesting thumbnail is the same as a misleading content?

[@p.9227]

@@loscilla At least the title of this video is not a clickbait, even though it sounds like one.

[@michaeljamesfitzgerald8142]

@John Dough Never saw it but 27% on Rotten Tomatoes may mean "yes."

[@Mark-ef7pi]

Maybe two months ago I started watching Derek's video's, and while it's almost guaranteed I was lured in by a sensational clickbait title, I'm now literally binge watching his content, playing catch up on years of content, regardless of sensationalism in the title. There's an endless sea of video's with "explosive", "amazing" or "unbelievable" in their titles on KZbin, of which more than 95% are repetitive parlor tricks or perpetual motion machines that "really" work. In the three years since this video, I'd wager Derek has discovered the power of name branding, I wager just his name alone overrides KZbin's algorithm to such an extent of self propulsion. I'd even wager Veritasium is a borderline household name.

[@ShumuStudios]

Thank you for taking the time to do this! Respect

[@mxrider2strokebraaap54]

10/10 for the drawings👍

[@thelastcube.]

Yeah I really like those markers he used (I think it might be zebra mildliners as for some reason they've been _pretty hot_ lately for the past year or so)

[@homemade_madness]

Agree!

[@mxrider2strokebraaap54]

HOMEMADE MADNESS haha yeah man how is it even possible that you found me again in the commends👊😉

[@Yntec]

Oh yes, after being so fed up of computer animations on KZbin this was like a breath of fresh air, and I think it even looks cooler than them. What if this is the future? Imagine people printing characters and stuff, cutting them out, displaying them like this and dubbing what they said and such? I bet it'd take them much less effort than Kurzgesagt's and it could be as effective as this!

[@allandehn]

Yup - was thinking that too throughout the video - what a great job they did 👍

[@enorazza]

I LOVE how many analog effects are in this video! No cuttings too. I feel like we don't deserve this quality, but hey, we absolutely needed it.

[@kubadzejkob332]

But did you see these flip animations? I wish I could do them in PowerPoint!

[@ploperdung]

He cuts the video when he changes between the 2 camera views

[@weaktearecords]

This is why it's so important to subscribe and like your favorite channels and support them individually. If you like a channel, binge watch them and keep watching their newest stuff.

[@OurNewestMember]

Holy shoot. Subs +1. The clarity and comprehensiveness in this vid.

[@adammckinty3962]

As a content consumer I find that the algorithm over-reacts to something I click on (or is really not specially smart) and feels the need to show me things that are super-specifically tied exactly to the one video I clicked. The platform actually narrows my options and the breadth of topics and videos I see. It is maddening and you are correct, it is NOT doing the platform a service. The harder KZbin tries to show me what it thinks I want, the harder I have to fight the algorithm to find the gems I actually want to see....

[@Jordando323]

dude..... you just took the words out of my mouth, well, out of my head, cuz I couldnt find a good way to explain it, but for real, its SO hard to find those gems due to the algorithm, but every so often I'll be blessed with some random but amazing video from 2008 about the techno viking 😅

[@mrjhavery6681]

omg, this is so true. I really dont like KZbin's algorithm

[@Naegimaggu]

This is exactly my experience as well. At one point I even ended up avoiding clicking on trashy thumbnails because I knew where it would lead and I liked my recommended videos at the time, but I've since given up as I lapsed to a short video marathon once. :D

[@TheContrariann]

Yeah, absolutely right !

[@gaile.harris6286]

Netflix seems to have the same problem :-(

[@BrianArons]

Video about video going viral goes viral. Mind blown

[@midnighttrainbullieskennel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHLXYqmurLZ6b8U

[@RahulGupta-ly2uu]

next time he will make video about (video about video going viral goes viral) it 3 layer inception :D

[@brandon9327]

Like Beyoncé talking about how to be famous.

[@YummyAnimations]

So meta

[@feureau]

Expecting next video explaining why the video that explained a video that goes viral goes viral.

[@_klee7469]

I find myself rediscovering your channel this past few days, I've been subbed for many years but somehow I've found your every videos that I clicked faschinating

[@BPslyful]

A tedious apology for playing the game

[@kickapoo1390]

you sure invested some time in these nice graphics and drawings

[@amit4Bihar]

You think 😂😂

[@Saareem]

Agree, I specifically love the Heart and Brain'ish mechanical brain. 😄

[@mrdr9534]

Flipchart artwork by Maria Raykova

[@JJ-qb8wm]

Next video: My "Video Went Viral. Here's Why" Video Went Viral. Here's Why

[@JohnnyBooi]

And then there will be a whole series of that and eventually it will be like veritasium vs youtube algorithm.

[@puraasu]

My “My “Video Went Viral. Here’s why” Video Went Viral. Here’s Why.” Went Viral. Here’s Why.

[@Schoolship.]

@@puraasu excellent

[@sergeibalabin8893]

And it would be fair and reasonable, because as he said algorithm is changing constantly. So he would somewhat tell us about latest trends.

[@XxxXxx-yh5gz]

I ruined your 444-liked comment

[@mixxairmonclair5621]

Thank you for the time, effort, and truths that you put into your content. I thought I had hit the bell but I share my channel with my kid so t might have been unpushing buttons. Many of the surveys have nothing to do with the content you're watching. For instance, your watching a video about redwood trees and the survey before the video is asking about what kind of crewing him is your favorite. I don't see the correlation and often skip the surveys because they seem too far removed from my attention at the moment

[@TechnicalManhoon]

I came into this video and felt like it's made in 2023 but when I saw it's 4 years ago I dropped my jaw. This type of knowledge only can exist into the master of minds. Thanks for such explanation dear.

[@hamishd8297]

So I'm obviously doing this old school but I access most KZbin videos from my subscription page

[@jonathangibson9098]

Me too. But I'm pretty sure some videos from people im subscribed to are suppressed from that page.

[@berni8k]

@@jonathangibson9098 This is what i always been wondering lately. Does the subscriptions tab show everything? Since a lot of stuff in there never shows up on the front page

[@superdau]

​@@jonathangibson9098 I'm using the subscription page exclusively (the things youtube suggests to me on the home screen are not intereseting to me 99% of the time, so youtube's algorithm is pretty crap). I have never had a video NOT appear on my subscription page. Hard to prove, because how would I know you might ask? I checked the video pages of channels that I hadn't seen appear in a while (suspecting youtube didn't show something), but every time it really was that channel not uploading anything. And even for those that do upload regularly I sometimes check the video page (for example because I was searching for a video I had seen) and never found a video that wasn't shown to me at some point (within the limits of what I can remember obviously). I have not clicked the bell on any channel btw.

[@jenshansen2766]

@@jonathangibson9098 No, all of my subscriptions show up. Not sure what happens if you have thousands of subscriptions though. What video above talks about is about the main youtube home page. The bell is the most annoying thing. As it shows more than vids. messy.

[@Fuchsia_tude]

Interesting. I'd say I find about 90% of the videos I watch through search, another 9% through a playlist or somebody's Uploads page, and 1% through my subscription page or (more often) an email about a new video posted by one of my subscriptions.

[@jihoonkim9766]

One way to get around that algorithm is to use the "Subscriptions" tab. It shows all videos from your subscribed channels and only that. I rarely use "Home" or "Trending" unless I'm really bored. Although I guess it is tougher to ignore the recommendations that appear next to videos when you're watching them..

[@Jovi_97]

Jihoon Kim - I do that.. but then there is the recommended tab under the video you are watching. Thats why I am here right now. I was watching a Quiz video for the next Formula 1 race just before this.

[@charlesrichard7715]

Generally I only go on my sub tab. The problem is that I've been subbed to Veritasium for a long time but his videos are never on my sub tab, I have to search for his channel to watch him.

[@oriongalactic]

For some reason I find more boring the subscription tab. I only get there when the recommendation tab became too uninteresting.

[@MDLRX8]

I agree - I can't trust the recommendations anymore. I check my subscriptions, and then learn about new possible subscriptions when one channel promotes another.

[@HitodamaKyrie]

It becomes a problem if you're subbed to lots of people. Especially when some channels put out lots of separate videos that you have to sift through. I've been using KZbin for over a decade now so I've subscribed to a fair number of channels. Checking just now, seems to be over 900. That number seems bigger than I would expect.

[@angelarenee5832]

I used to wonder if the mathematical formula for rumor spreading played a part. Now all I see is raman spectra in the charts and wonder if long shots closer to alchemical correlations may work, or in the least have fun in the process of it all. Thanks for you videos. I subscribed after seeing yur infinite pattern w platonic solids and noticed I liked a lot of your content.

[@friedrichgauss1310]

Your grasp of the industry is truly impressive and professional! Well done! Cheers

[@TheEllipse88]

Never judge a book by it's cover. KZbin: hold my algorithm.

[@lumiezou]

XD I really hit my laughing spot.....xDDD

[@TheBunnyYT]

Hah😂😂😀 I wish the algorithm helped my channel

[@WinnerMin17]

XD

[@wannabefunnyman]

Never judge a book SOLELY by its cover. If a thumbnail from a certain creator consistently over-sells, how long before you stop going back?

[@alexeisyxyn7215]

Veritasium + Clickbait = Increases world average IQ

[@bruceschneier6283]

No

[@X606]

haha yeah

That argument is enough to sell me the premise. Bring the clickbait.

[@thomasautengruber8369]

Alexei Syxyn Knowledge, not necessarily IQ.

[@10antba]

World average IQ is rising and YOU WONT BELIEVE WHY!

[@profoundskeptic8392]

First person i have clicked the bell on, you sound so genuine and hardworking.

[@juancarlosabad3298]

you just developed "the psychology of KZbin recommending algorithm" ...which is probable generalizable to most if not all such recommending algorithms ....great job, thanks!

[@benlohmeyer1116]

Solid Intro. ✅ Clear Intent. ✅ Relevant Content. ✅ Correlation Explanation. ✅ Genuine Delivery. ✅ That’s a wrap!!

[@nawafj1741]

Gone sexual ✅

[@romanstinkt]

Thats a banger *

[@imjakepaul4497]

Benjamin Lohmeyer yea

[@BangMaster96]

My Video "My Video Went Viral. Here's Why" Went Viral. Here's Why

[@orbs1062]

You just made me dizzy.

[@polishmothproductions]

My Video "My Video 'My Video Went Viral. Here's Why' Went Viral. Here's Why" Went Viral. Here's Why

[@a1s2d3f4g5q1w2e3]

@@polishmothproductions My Video `My Video "My Video 'My Video Went Viral. Here's Why' Went Viral. Here's Why" Went Viral. Here's Why` Went Viral. Here's Why

[@anushkajethwani6061]

Stop it

[@polishmothproductions]

@@a1s2d3f4g5q1w2e3 My Video "My Video 'My Video 'My Video 'My Video Went Viral. Here's Why' Went Viral. Here's Why' Went Viral. Here's Why' Went Viral. Here's Why" Went Viral. Here's Why

[@SaSeshen]

Also, at 21:50 on this video, the sheer disgust of how you view the trend of algorithms in KZbin is GOLD. Loved that real emotional delivery there.

[@faismasterx]

"Deliver." lol... He's not an actor. That's real.

[@Ellaalan02]

This is the most educational and emotional way of saying "click that subscribe button" and the opposite of "smash that sub button!!🔨👊". Even if I am just a 8th grader in India you really inspire me to learn new things and make me satisfied by watching educational videos. Thank you for all that!!😊

[@starjohnson3040]

New title "What I learned talking to Mr. Beast".

[@geogeo3733]

"The secret way to go viral EVERY TIME that Mr. Beast taught me!"

[@AustinIsTheGreatests]

Mr Beast is on my home page everyday. There titles are annoying

[@evanrowland3454]

not gonna lie, i woulda clicked on it quicker lol. i think its kinda funny

[@AntonVagabond]

"What I learned talking to Mr. Beast, you won't believe what happened!"

[@blizzyyt2281]

Austin Zahm how are they annoying

[@DrNeckbreaker]

The problem with clickbait is that it works.

[@HuyV]

The problem with clickbait is that I don't watch more than 2 mins of most of them, which wastes my time and lowers my satisfaction, lowering thepossibility to ever click another one of that creators videos again.

[@hugovangalen]

@@HuyV But the advertisment has potentially shown at the beginning even though you stop watching. Ad impressions is all KZbin cares about.

[@Keys879]

The problem is that KZbin allows it. Their priorities are completely mixed up.

[@ArmandoReportes]

@@HuyV I do tell KZbin not to show more videos from that channel if they do a hook and switch. It doesn't apply to this video, though. Tough choices.

[@HuyV]

@@hugovangalen Well of one ad is all they want rather than recurring ones? Not my loss. Anyways, mostly I have my hand full with subscribed channels that I watch. I don't really click a lot on those thumbnails youtube shows me to the right, nor do I ever visit the youtube start page to see what's "trending". I mean who has the time to watch lots of random videos? If you're a faithful watcher of let's say 10 channels you already have your 3 videos a day. On a super lazy day I might have enough time for another one or two, bust honestly most of the time people don't have the time to veer too far from their usual channels anyways. People have business to attend to, friends to be with, partners to please , loads of hobbies to pour time and passion into, especially with the internet giving you access to all the information you need to get started on anything you might want to do.

[@Bradnick930]

Great information. I must be one of the few who not only rings the bell, but also uses the "subscriptions" tab so that I see all the content of all my subscriptions rather than algorithmic suggestions.

[@CampfireKodiak]

What few videos you have on this topic are all my favorite! I feel they even are better than video channels that specialize in KZbinr tips. Please make more videos like this!!!

[@petergriffith9468]

When will the algorithm finally be able NOT to recommend videos I already watched?

[@FeNite8]

Ikr

[@ibperson7765]

Lol yeah youd think that would be pretty easy huh

[@pxolqopt3597]

Ikr

[@DemiDragonQueen]

When people stop watching videos multiple times

[@davespangler9125]

It would be trivial to implement but the simple fact of the matter is that a significant number of views on KZbin are from re-watching videos. I would bet that they have tried this and found that overall views and/or watch time went down.

[@shooawn]

KZbin: longer videos will be recommended to more people! Also KZbin: let’s recommend this 23 seconds video to 60 million people 7 years after it was uploaded for absolutely no reason :)

[@freeEnd_]

Its to confuse you

[@chuckbucketts]

Videos longer than about 10 minutes start looking like more of a commitment rather than a diversion. Imho.

[@BrownMInc]

Definitely, I suspect shorter videos have higher clickthroughs and the titles are usually casual/baity/funny at times or just invokes curiosity. So the views go up but I feel that's it, because in those binges I rarely care to visit the uploading channel

[@Lratiobozo]

Lol

[@typorad]

I would definitely say I like those super short videos and I probably click on them 2-3x as much as longer videos. If the quality is poor I don't feel like I wasted much time. If there's a joke or something funny supposed to happen and I am anticipating that, I'm more likely to stick around for an additional 30 seconds for the punchline; if the video starts poorly and there's several more minutes to watch I'm going to click away sooner.

[@raduc3377]

man, you're smart, and true! I love the way you manage the different points of viewes, in a clear, simple and honest way. as you can see, my english it's not so brilliant, but I always understand what you are comunicating. i can't say that about 30% percent of my fellows romanian or my adoptive italians

[@karanbansal9878]

Love your videos every time. Despite convincing us of all the downsides of the algorithm used here, you made me click the subscribe and notify button :P

[@FancyGeeks]

Thank you for inviting me to your TED Talk. Seriously though, great video.

[@zoedaemon4940]

20+ minute short course...😂

[@lizaneeleroux3614]

honestly yes. If he presents this to TEDx theyll probs accept this exact talk. if maise williams can do it, anyone can

[@rakhimondal5949]

Give the man who made the notepad a raise It's LIT

[@NINtendo72]

It's a banger

[@MrKstoesz]

The description notes "Flipchart artwork by Maria Raykova" Thanks, Maria! I appreciate the visuals!

[@martinkrauser4029]

you realize there's a roughly speaking 0.5 or so chance it was made by a woman

[@raghavvijay4172]

@@martinkrauser4029 oh for fucks sake "give that man a medal" is a common phrase and thats why he said it.

[@OnlyFacts196]

True lol

[@bijibijian9740]

i know i am late. but this is the first time i turn on my youtube notifications. i always love people who are honest. also, i never doubt your dedications to make high quality videos. i’m sure even though the title and thumbnail would be “baity”, your videos should be better than others.

[@jamiesellick7623]

I never, ever knew what the bell was for, and hence I never clicked it... until today! I think that signifies what makes this channel, Derek, and his team so great - they inspire curiosity in things I never thought to question. Love the show, will always recommend, thanks Derek et al! ❤️