Why I Refused Thousands of $ in Sponsors. My Blacklist

[@FreeAmerican-mm2my]

Since I recently became a Scottish Lord, I understand your concerns. One of my close friends is a Nigerian prince and he has some interesting opportunities.

[@cocacola4blood365]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sirzorg5728]

You could get some comedic value out of a comic about a desperate nigerian prince with weird financial issues desperately trying to find a foreigner to help, but nobody believes him. You could get some lighthearted comedy out of increasingly wacky antics.

[@mrtrollnator123]

💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@bluecard009]

Don't you mean a Scottish Laird?

[@MrDizzyvonclutch]

WHAT A SCAM!!! Lol

[@pacettid]

#1 thing I learned in the military is: “There is absolutely no where you can go to buy back your good reputation and once it’s gone it’s almost impossible to rebuild.” I thought all of your advice was spot on. Well done!

[@phillipsofthedriver]

What I learned in the military, is that it takes over a thousand 'attaboys' to erase one 'oh shit'.

[@susankay497]

Pity that despicable prince H missed that lesson!

[@pantrywarriors9577]

Ironically your reputation was ruined by joining the military

[@abhinandanbanerjee5471]

If you wanted to have a reputation, joining the US military was a bad decision. At best, you will be looked down as a brainless meathead. At worse, you will be seen as a murderer and occupier.

[@kaudsiz]

@@pantrywarriors9577​​⁠​⁠​⁠Nah, dude probably didn’t have much else going for him/her

[@nunyabizness9459]

Integrity has always been the backbone of your channel. This isn’t any different than what I’ve come to expect and trust from you. After years of consistent transparency, your honest and forthright character has been proven over and over. You are a genuinely decent person and our online society benefits from your continued presence.

[@billdehappy1]

tegrity

[@gazlator]

I'll second those comments.

[@Knight_of_the_Old_Code]

Right on

[@kayty6673]

I TOTALLY agree !

[@nlm6183]

High and well-deserved praise.

[@Socraticstatic44]

This kind of integrity is why I followed this channel. Learn to speak Latin properly, learn what ancient Rome looked like, or just learn what connects modern society to our past. This is the place and this is the guy. Thank you sir for being always honorable 😊

[@viljamtheninja]

I think the main reasons why people hate on Raid: Shadow Legends so much are 1) the ridiculous amounts of budget they seem to spend on advertisements, because you see them bloody everywhere. It gets annoying because it's so in your face, and one thinks that maybe they could've spent some of that advertising money on making the game better instead. It seems like a very deceptive business plan, to force ads into people's faces instead of making a game that people want to play that spreads just as much through word of mouth. And 2), because of how their ads tend to be extremely strictly scripted, I've seen so many content creators say pretty much the exact same things abut the game that I don't believe for a second, about how much they love character X, throwing in a few exciting adjectives, while sounding nothing like they normally speak, because it's so obviously a script.

[@mikaelwolgast2705]

feels pretty accurate

[@torstwolf8742]

Look at Internet historians adds especially raid. It will open your eyes. i think most of the CCs creating the ads don't really negotiate the terms

[@Drak976]

@@torstwolf8742 Oh God I love that guy. I would literally just watch his ads. @viljamtheninja The worst part is the game isn't even that bad. You can play it on computer now and it's a solid time waster for a freemium game. I never felt very pressured to spend $ unlike some freemium game that really kneecap you if you don't pay up.

[@TomFromMars]

ALso, you touched upon it but there claims are particularly ridiculous. For me personnaly, i like rpgs with a well crafted story and character you can relate to, to hear those exact words about a game that is clearly a "collect generic heroes and do some repeated combat with maybe a few generic story text in between with boring mechanics made to incentivize microtransactions", that is laughable to unspoken degrees.

[@huldu]

I just have a big problem with f2p mobile games in general and that's one of those with really aggressive marketing. Generally speaking they want kids playing their games, it's just that simple. That's where the real money is. The goal is to wear kids down because they have no understanding of money, they spend a few bucks here and there and it all adds up *very* quickly. If you have a young kid yourself or a teenager then you know well how quickly this escalates. They're trying to make it *normal* to gamble for kids so once they become adults they're already in their heads and they're used to it. Very sad, reminds me of the really old school f2p games that pushed the envelope when it came to those practices many, many years ago. Before people even thought of the concept. Look where that got us today. Disgusting practice in gaming and I'm sure eventually it'll collapse mostly due to laws being made, finally.

[@Caterrarainey]

The fact that you put this much thought and effort into knowing what it does to your channel and viewership is what makes you amazing and unique. You are truly a rare gem on KZbin and I am so grateful to have found you

[@metatronyt]

Thanks!

[@user-sc5iv2rp2t]

​​@@metatronytetatron you say you are a Roman but my Spartan grand father also used to call himself a Rhomaios. Please make a video about how the Roman identity was “usurped" by the Greeks after Justinian. Also a comment on the fact that you call yourself a Roman and a Greek as I do as well in the opposite side of the Adriatic. Are Italians and Greeks same nation but different countries? Sorry for the long question. Love your channel.

[@micheleosullivan4430]

I'm a subscription minimalist, but I bought one of your rings. I found your channel weeks ago and have binged the heck out of it! Thanks for all you do!

[@metatronyt]

Thank you I appreciate that!

[@bringer-of-change]

I definitely wanna get one of those rings too. I think it represents values I hold dear.

[@sylviamaresca8852]

As soon as I figure out my finger size, I'm ordering a ring. Would it go on the left or right hand? I'm not much of a jewelry wearing person, but I can support you in this little way. Thanks for your site,a bastion of truth and nothing but the truth.

[@stephenmontague6930]

You bought a ring? I missed something... what is this?

[@metatronyt]

@@stephenmontague6930 I released my own rings, I have a dedicated recent video about it

[@agingerbeard]

Integrity _matters._ I watch your channel for many reasons, but one is definitely the amount of respect I have for your integrity. You have my support!

[@LoneNorseman]

How can you not love this man? Thank you Raff for being so forthcoming and honest with us for all these years, it has been a pleasure to be a Noble One for so many years and many more to come!

[@Malekith227]

Great to hear. I usually unsubscribe when a creator starts to become a walking add sign for predatory gambling scams disguised as games with no gameplay..

[@TheWolfgangGrimmer]

So would I if any of my subscriptions ever did that, but they never do.

[@JP-fm1oz]

I always skip it lol

[@Cato229]

Considering this, I'm especially honored Metatron was willing to accept a very small sponsorship from a tiny creator like myself. By refusing to work with unethical companies that could offer more, he left space for someone like me. Thank you.

[@rackhuff928]

God bless you brother!

[@CyberChrist]

What were you advertising? You've made me curious, lol.

[@aftermeta6556]

@@CyberChrist He is author..

[@vladtheimpala5532]

@@CyberChrist I’m curious too.

[@FrenchLightningJohn]

@@aftermeta6556 yeah author of what? and an author can still advertise something

[@charissafield510]

One of the main reasons I will never mess with Raid shadow legends. They have been caught stealing artwork and ideas from other artist. I'm an artist and I can't stand that stuff. Thanks for all of your hard work good sir.

[@balazsvarga1823]

They also have horrid monetisation. As for ideas, it is Warcraft and Warhammer and DnD mashed up, down to ogryns and dark elves.... which are drows cosplaying warhammer dark elves.

[@NewVegasVictor]

I’m always blown away by Metatron’s honesty, forthrightness, and integrity.

[@ryantannar5301]

I'd love to see you do a playthrough of Kingdom Come: Deliverance on the new channel. It's easily the most historically accurate RPG out there and it would be interesting to see what you add to it and all that. It's not perfectly accurate of course, but the devs went to really great lengths to make things accurate.

[@nlm6183]

Ooh, really? I'll have to check this out!

[@savagecatgt]

It is quite depressing so be careful if you are sensitive to the harshness of life (mass death, plague, unfair prosecutions, etc.). I had to stop playing because the tragedy was unrelenting.

[@ryantannar5301]

@@savagecatgt it's a pretty standard story for the setting. it's no worse than watching Lord of the Rings. If it bugs you that's obviously fine, but the game is no more dark than Skyrim.

[@dravenocklost4253]

You strive to be such an honest person and value integrity, i really appreciate you in this age of lies. 👍

[@yllbardh]

I've been following your channel for years and related to sponsors, the very first one of them I think to be a scam is the "Established titles" and for you to mention them as in borderline it just makes my day. Thank you, you've got a sub.

[@m.h.6470]

I think, the main reason, why "Raid Shadow Legends" is singled out, is because it is so pervasive. They seem to have a LOT of money for advertising - and that money comes from somewhere. If not from the players, than from investors, who want a return on their investment. In either case, it means, that the game will try to suck every penny from you, in any way possible.

[@savagecatgt]

Even some creators who are exposing unethical things have the ad. The youtuber who is a speed run cheater exposer whose name escapes me has these kind of ads.

[@sebastianb.3978]

@@savagecatgt Karl Jobst?

[@barbararowley6077]

Their parent company predominantly makes slot machines, so that may drive some of the hatred. Their numbers are published publicly, and the game seems to normally bring in about US$10M a month, so no wonder they can afford ads with such high production value and generous sponsorships! (Having said that, I’ve played it for a few years with a fully free-to-play account without running out of things to do.)

[@paegr]

Their parent company is from Israel

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

I can't believe the Established Titles thing is still going. After they got very publicly outed by several channels that they were lying by implication about what their services were, I thought they'd quietly removed themselves, because I stopped seeing them advertised.

[@troodon1096]

Oh the company still exists but most KZbin channels don't want to be associated with them anymore. Hopefully they've learned their lesson and will be honest about what they're actually selling, which amounts to a fancy certificate in a frame purely for novelty purposes, but doesn't confer any actual recognized title or land ownership.

[@mahiru20ten]

Or maybe they revised their business model to not be a scam anymore?

[@nikolabrankovic2130]

They seem to have started giving sponsorships to channels who have not heard about them being a scam

[@nikolabrankovic2130]

They seem to have started giving sponsorships to channels who have not heard about them being a scam

[@rodrigovaccari7547]

Well done. I have quit channels immediatly after seeing established titles or masterworks sponsorships. It really shows the creators don't care to check what they're actually talking about. Not to mention all the crypto scams. When the sponsorship is about a product (like earbuds) you often hear the creator talking about how they use it in their life. Weirdly you don't hear about creators putting significant amounts of money into their financial products sponsorships.

[@williamjenkins4913]

Established Titles was not that big a deal IMO. No one really thought they could roll up to Scotland and talk with parliament because they bought a 40$ plack. It was the same kind of novelty gift as naming a star after someone.

[@rodrigovaccari7547]

@@williamjenkins4913 yes but their marketing is entirely fake. You dont actually own land or become a laird. Its a playful gift sure, but they market it unironically.

[@kingofhearts3185]

​@@rodrigovaccari7547 I think that was the problem, I don’t think they would have caught so much flak if they played it straight and called it a gag gift.

[@themurmeli88]

Advertising financial opportunities (aka investing etc.) is an oxymoron. You don't tell other people about them, you use them yourself, because that is how you make money. It's like knowing in advance the next week's lottery numbers, and then going around telling it to millions of and getting people to buy a ticket so "we can all be winners". The ONLY time you'd "share" such valuable information, is when you are paid to invest another's money, and you get a cut of the investment on top of that.

[@shapesnatch1341]

Ultra Chad Metatron once again bringing a ray of hope to KZbin by being honest and ethical. We love you Metatron.

[@caedenkniep3528]

I really like when you have sponsors that are either relevant to the topic of the video, relevant to the channel or just something you think could be useful to us viewers.

[@YamiDovah]

If I was a KZbinr I would aspire to do what you do with sponsers. Integrity is everything and I can respect that, as should everyone

[@Dionis0730]

Gotta say: the more videos of yours that I watch, the more I like you as a person. Keep it up, buddy!

[@fayfay961]

Oh man you are so right about the contract thing, my dad is getting some home repairs done (he worked as a carpenter) and he keeps sending the contracts back to the contractors pointing out they need to change shady things. He's probably driving them crazy but this is really important before you go into business with anyone. I think anyone who thinks you should not have sponsors and make content for free is living in a fantasy world... maybe in a perfect world we could all do what we want and contribute without worrying about finances but that's not the world we live in today. Obviously you deserve to be paid for your work.

[@LenaFerrari]

I'm very positively impressed I had high expectations, but you exceeded them greatly What you do is more than having standards, is holding responsibility for your work and it's impact on your audience Well done, sir. Respect

[@texanamerican101]

🙏 You may respect this man as much as me, yet not more. Ty for never bending the knee to ridiculousness 🇺🇸 🇨🇱🇮🇹

[@joseluisnd75]

Good video. What you did in it has a name: transparency. You tell the things clear and that's good for both you, the creator, and us, the watchers. Thanks for your work.

[@robertseptim3579]

This was very insightful and I’m glad to hear that there are still some people on this planet who have standards and principles that they live by and cannot be corrupted by money. I appreciate you looking out for us but don’t worry too much, the unfair KZbin rules for based content creators is rough and we understand if you have no realistic other option

[@Halfdanr_H]

Hi Raf 🙂 I’ve been watching your channel for years now, and I always appreciated your attitude towards how you see your audience as friends. I live right near Hadrian’s Wall and I know it really well. If you’re ever in the Northeast of England, it’d be my pleasure to buy you a coffee and take you around some of the forts and walking routes along the wall, just give me a shout.

[@redneckgamer2516]

Yeah I saw on a youtube video where they went to the place where Established Titles was planting the trees and the trees were super close together and in the middle of a sort of plains or huge field area where trees did not need to be planted.

[@NicholasproclaimerofMessiah]

I have a major problem with some KZbinrs (two thus far) who advertise BetterHelp in this manner: they speak of their own mental-health struggles, they say that they have gotten professional help, and then they say that BetterHelp offers professional help over the internet, but they do not say that they got their help from BetterHelp. Also, BetterHelp have an ad where there is a man dressed like a demon in a dress, and he claims to be the person's fairy-godmother. Personally, I think their general depictions of mental-health struggles are to normalize dependency and not to normalize empowerment, so I find them to appear to be generally predatory. Due to the serious consequences of getting worse help and fake therapy, and my care for those who may be harmed thereby, I very much hope that you will consider refusing to promote BetterHelp. I also suspect that this goes without saying in your case, but it is rather important, so I've said it anyway.

[@JHaven-lg7lj]

BetterHelp ought to be shut down - between their habit of assigning specifically religious counselors when specifically non-religious counselors are requested, their selling client’s data despite claiming to be a healthcare provider, their focus on selling LGBTQ info in particular, and their listing counselors on their site who have not agreed to work with them, they cause enormous harm. When a channel I follow has BetterHelp as a sponsor I contact them with this kind of information, and if they accept them as a sponsor again I unsubscribe. BetterHelp is predatory and dangerous. Thank you for being so careful in vetting your sponsorships, it means a lot to your subscribers.

[@daMillenialTrucker]

A demon in a dress is the last thing I want helping me and my contemplative thoughts.

[@daMillenialTrucker]

Do not use betterhelp Source to why you shouldnt: www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/03/ftc-says-online-counseling-service-betterhelp-pushed-people-handing-over-health-information-broke

[@longbeardbobson4710]

Tom Woods says that he used Better Help.

[@NicholasproclaimerofMessiah]

@@longbeardbobson4710 Noted (although I don't know who that is).

[@quinlanjones6047]

Your integrity is on display every video you make. There’s a lot that I wish other creators would take from this. Bravo!

[@polishFantasyEN]

About Established Titles, the LegalEagle made a great legal analysis here on youtube; fairly nothing to be added on top. Overall I love this "friend to friend" format, this is really great.

[@mattm8870]

The scammy thing with Established Titles, is that its a meaningless novelty but was presented in such a way that looks to be real with the novelty bit being in the small print. I say was because when I checked the site recently I see they added (most hilarious gift of 2023) to the banner and the home page which IMO fixes the problem with it.

[@MysteryMastery69]

I'M OFFENDED THAT YOU GET PAID FOR YOUR WORK!!! REEEEEEEEEE. Screw those people man. Your content is great and through the demonentization situation you saw how many of us appreciate it enough to reach into our wallets to support you directly. These people are likely the same ones that offer artists exposure (on their platform of 7 people) as payment for a month worth of work. Thanks for the transparency. You're what we need more of

[@raul12300]

I know I shouldn't be surprised at this point, you have always shown that you stand for your values, weather or not I agree to all of them. But still after so many masterworks adds (its a pretty bad investment with some shady hidden costs, you did the right thing not agreeing to advertise something you do not fully understand) so many established titles adds, so many of those shitty ""japanese"" knifes adds. I just do not expect youtubers to have integrity like this anymore. So happy to see that you still do after all this time. I've been following you for about 7 years or more now and I'm so happy to see this channel so much bigger then it was back then but still holding its integrity. Thank you for al this years of educational entertaintment mate!

[@KenNakajima07]

I don´t follow you just because you make great content, I utterly love the true nobility you conduct yourself with. I watch other creators with dubious sponsors and I always smell scams or legit with a tad of scam a mile away, and I don´t see any weird stuff on your channel, truly remarkable, you could probably earn 10 times more of what you do but you keep it real.

[@2teepeepictures382]

The Metatron the style of video talking about 80s nostalgia video games?!? Holy crap! also what a cool sounding name. that is definitely on my list of things to check out today

[@HistoryandHeadlines]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!

[@BETMARKonTube]

A lot of youtuber I was following started like you and ended "Corrupted", both from money and their own ego. Starting to easily ignoring every negative comment (even if honest and well intended), because the positive ones (mostly generic compliments that added nothing on the plate) were way more, the same as the likes, compared with the dislikes. I really hope that you'll never end up like that. As long as that will not happen, I'll be by your side, because I like your honesty, your integrity, your polite manners and your effort.

[@lux_satani]

I'm so glad i found this awesome channel many years back.

[@ericeaton3551]

I really hope that sponsors see that the honesty you deliver your sponsored content with makes us trust your recommendations. I have personally bought a game at your recommendation and it was exactly how you portrayed it. I didn't really play the game much, but I don't regret the purchase because I knew exactly what I was getting.

[@proudcanadian5713]

This was a very good and informative video. Don't worry about the ones that think you should be doing your channels for nothing, they have no clue what it takes to create content. They think you get up in the morning, have a coffee and then turn on a camera and just talk off the top of your head for a half hour or so and then upload it. They have no clue that you're creating the script so you don't do things like repeat yourself or look in the wrong direction when making a statement or have to re-do something because a Jet flew right over you, etc. They also don't know that you have to sit and EDIT your video for sometimes HOURS and then review it along with other people to make sure you've made no mistakes and THEN, and ONLY then, you actually upload it and hope that your audience (Us) are going to like it. Please keep putting out your very wise and informative content and I promise that I will keep watching and enjoying it, thank you.

[@Aidames]

Hi Metatron! I do subscribe to channels that I'm interested in, but so far in the past decade I financially supported only two channels: You and The Lockpicking Lawyer. Thanks for all the informative and thoughtful videos!

[@robertbeisert3315]

I'm glad KZbin tried to shaft you. Not because of any distaste for you, but because it caused Shad to post about you and, consequently, me to find your channel.

[@charleslyonii9672]

You're a great constant creature Metatron. You don't want to mislead or misinform your viewers. You honestly have true integrity man. Authenticity and solidarity brother.

[@henrikskjolden]

Glad someone speaks on this. The amount of channels I've unsubscribed to the last couple of years based only that they keep annoying me with irrelevant and outright sketchy products must be in the hundreds. And yeah, I know I can just "skip" it, and that the creators want their money, but I don't give a shit if you keep fooling your viewers products they probably should stay away from. I'm so sick of it that I don't even care if it's otherwise good content. It just tells me so much about the person behind the channel and that I wouldn't want to support it.

[@benmaske9598]

Metatron, started watching your channel during and expressly because of your demonization stint. Figured that if KZbin wanted you canceled that badly, you were probably worth watching. Your content has not disappointed. You make sure to clearly state and keep separate facts from opinions, and present your videos in a clear, concise manner. I've always enjoyed history, and your channel is both informative and entertaining. Much respect and appreciation for your efforts! Even more respect for actually having and maintaining standards with regard to sponsorships and not just hawking for any company that offers you a check. Integrity is a quality that is increasing in both rarity and value. Hat tipped to you, sir.

[@Echo_419]

I personally appreciate not only your channel and content, but this video specifically because I am starting up my own channel of just sharing my hobby of making model kits. I doubt my channel will take off and make it big, but if it does I'll have this additional knowledge from you! So thank you.

[@angelh5762]

I just love the way you use empirical evidence for all your content. ❤

[@aristocat1230]

I unsubscribed from a fair share of youtubers due to the sponsorship. I apreciate the integrity you have, hope you can continue with it!

[@juniormint5065]

Love that you are as strong in your beliefs as you are. Need more people willing to stand up for what they really believe in regardless of what is in it for them regarding money. Wish places like youtube were like that but unfortunately the almighty doller reigns too much with them

[@b_ks]

Your estimation of Established Titles is spot on. I've quit listening to channels I quite like as I won't support channels trying to chisel me. Occasionally I drop in to see if they have changed their evil😳ways so that I may possibly resume watching. I don't hold grudges. 😊

[@metatronyt]

Also come join my third channel! kzbin.info/door/SZISvE-ztCEvBVD7fjnMDg

[@metatronyt]

@ShadowWizard4570 Thanks!

[@JS-ui5ew]

Masterworks sponsor ads always struck me as weird. Saying that there is a huge waiting list but that they'll give you preferred access just makes me think: Well if there is a waiting list why are you wasting money on sponsorships?

[@TyroneMcgregor]

We love you and will always support you ❤

[@Wills.musicpage]

Man, I love your transparency and dedication to THE FACTS, and the lengths you go to to vet EVERYTHING that appears on your channels. One of the many reasons I'm a subscriber.

[@spacewolf6515]

Gotta have that integrity

[@billdehappy1]

tegrity

[@joshuapreston7170]

I first became aware of your channel about 6 years ago when Shad and you did the videos about For Honor, I've always enjoyed your content and find you to be very informative, as for sponsorship, i agree with you, not trying to parrot, the sponsor should fit the mold of the channel and ought to be something that youd recommend to friends and family

[@darken2417]

You should add Kamikoto to that blacklist lol. Shad did a great job obliterating their brand.

[@znail4675]

That is the same company as Established Titles. They specialize in selling questionable stuff by having KZbin creators endorse their products.

[@re1v3r]

OMG!! Such truth and wisdom on the comparison between Overwatch 1 ans Overwatch 2! I really appreciate and agree with your feelings, as they're mine too! I loved that game! 😢

[@gbenother8755]

My thought when you were describing negotiating with a potential sponsor over contract wording was one I first had several years ago, during divorce negotiations. I simply wrote my suggested wording and presented it as an alternative to the currently suggested wording. I imagined that you could do the same thing when you are considering working with a possible sponsor. Rather than require them to guess what would be acceptable based on your objections, you could just write the sentence or phrase or paragraph that you could agree to and ask them to either replace the offending section, or else present you with a "counter-edit". It seems to me that would be more efficient and could more quickly lead to a resolution, whether the result were a sponsorship or a better understanding on both sides of why a sponsorship would not be a good match. Just a thought. I'm a long time lurker who subscribed just today.I appreciate the care you take in all you do, the research, the visual aids, your sometimes quirky editing, the lot. God Bless You.

[@scottmcgowan5953]

Respect. Huge respect. As an older viewer, the information you gave about microtransactions was something I had heard of but never understood. Many Thanks. And I don't mind sounding like a broken record in saying that the honesty, integrity and research you put into your content is extra ordinary (sic) ?

[@msinvincible2000]

It's heartwarming to find people with integrity. God bless you Metatron!

[@mass.1710]

Sir, ur channel was literally the first channel that I subscribed too ever. Ive stayed with u ever since. I still feel like i made the right decision by subscribing to ur channel. This video just reaffirms my believe that ur a good guy at heart. That actually tries to make sure historical facts r remembered correctly and thats hard to find nowadays. Ur concern for who u accept sponsorships from just proves to me yet again that ur really a good guy. I wish all social media and media people cared as much as u do Sir! Keep up the great work!

[@thebigone6969]

The Metatron cannot be bought!!! He’s the most honest and trustworthy man in human history!!! The greatest icon of truth and justice to ever live!!!! The best there is and the best there ever will be!!!!!

[@beatrizjardim8308]

You really are a honest worthy and very moral person. That is why I'm your fan. Love from Brazil.

[@blackfishblues]

Thanks for your integrity, Metatron. Some of my favourite commentators are sponsored by Establiished Titles and the like... although, to be fair, I haven't seen such scams in quite a while. I'll have to be more alert. And yes, being a KZbinr IS a job, no less than working for a news outlet: researching, writing, correcting, editing, posting, with all the added complications that the video format entails. Your work ethic is simply stellar. Much love!

[@znail4675]

Established Titles is a true scam, you are paying them for nothing. All it lets you do is use a title where you are allowed to use any title you want, but you can do that without paying them any money at all. It's a company that specialize at selling questionable stuff by sponsoring KZbin creators. They are also behind Kamikoto knives, supposedly quality Japanese knives. Wait you may say, aren't they a Scottish company? No, they are Chinese.

[@rackhuff928]

This is why i love you bro! You are a man of honor and stand for truth and what you know in your heart to be right and true! Keep up the good fight brother, God bless you!

[@ASmartNameForMe]

Metatron, please, you can be honest with us. We know the real reason you turned down sponsors and $ is because $ isn’t Italys official currency

[@metatronyt]

I moved to the US :D

[@ASmartNameForMe]

@@metatronytI see. Though if I were a betting man I’d say you’re the type of guy to hand over euro notes to Americans when buying stuff as a power play

[@dravenocklost4253]

​@@metatronyt Go to a gun range!! 🙏

[@micheleparker3780]

@@metatronyt 😂🤣

[@jameswilliams3241]

​@@metatronytWelcome friend!!!🎉

[@DT_Michael]

I have seen such a wide variety of content creators who take advantage of sponserships, but you are the first creator I have ever seen who was willing to discuss this. Thank you very much for that. It is great to hear the process from the creator's point of view, and even better to hear them from a person who has set standards on what they will or will not do, and that your voice is not for sale. That alone sets you head and shoulders above so many others. Keep up the fantastic work you do and I greatly appreciate your dedication and, above all, class.

[@elzoog]

Just because it's legal doesn't mean it isn't a scam. For example, you could put an ad out saying "Send me 2 dollars and I'll tell you how to make money" Then when someone sends me 2 dollars, I send them a message (e-mail, snail mail, whatever) saying "One way you can make money is to put an ad out there saying 'Send me 2 dollars and I'll tell you how to make money.'" This is obviously a scam, but it's not illegal because you did in fact, fulfill the promise of the ad (telling someone how to make money). As to "Established Titles" when I see that ad I'm wondering, even if they are being honest in telling me that I could own a square foot of land in Scotland (which I doubt) why bother doing that when I could legally put "Sir" or whatever other title in my name for free?

[@kingtiger3390]

Is it really a scam if there was no trickery and you provided the service?

[@elzoog]

@@kingtiger3390 I guess it depends on your point of view. Would you consider yourself to be scammed if I make such an ad, you send me 2 dollars, and then I tell you that one way you can make money is to post that ad? Or another example, would you consider yourself to be scammed if I sell solar powered clothes dryers for $50 apiece, you send me the $50 and I send you a rope with instructions on how to set it up so you can hang your clothes to dry?

[@johanmetreus1268]

"As to "Established Titles" when I see that ad I'm wondering, even if they are being honest in telling me that I could own a square foot of land in Scotland (which I doubt) why bother doing that when I could legally put "Sir" or whatever other title in my name for free?" The Channel LegalEagle made a video "Established titles is a scam" after he had researched it closer, but here is the giest of it: ET has bought some land in Scotland, and the letter of purchase is a contract between the possessor and ET that the former is to have one specific square foot of that land at their disposal. No change of ownership can be registered with the authorities, simply because they do not handle such small areas. If ET were to sell the land they own, you no longer have any rights on "your" plot. You can legally put any unprotected title you like (medical doctor tends to be very protected in every country, meaning that unless you have the licence, it's a crime to claim that title). The "traditional Scottish title" were only ever applicable to a major landowner, acting like a patron for the local village by providing jobs and housing, and so forth. A pillar in the community.

[@elzoog]

@@johanmetreus1268 Not only that, but if ET were to give both me and you the same square foot of land, how would we contest which one of us owns it?

[@AdamJorgensen]

Great video. On the subject of mobile games for me there is a strong line between games which have monetisation (E.g. Hoyoverse games like Genshin, etc) and those which force it down your throat all the time (e.g. Raid) or constantly push pop-up ads. I play Hoyoverse games and enjoy them but I also appreciate that they don't constantly pop-up dialogs begging me to Buy This Hot Deal (10 minutes left!!!). I think that if you're going to do sponsored deals with mobile games you should mention what degree of friction there is to the monetisation.

[@jennifersilves4195]

I so appreciate your candor and thoughtfulness.

[@xXScissorHandsXx]

Putting some of these bogus "sponsors" on front street, gotta love it ❤ plus highlighting solid ones is a good thing to do 👌

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

I really love when you talk about important topics like this outside of your usual milieu. Thanks for the insight!

[@philw8049]

I appreciate your integrity in a time when, it doesn’t seem to matter much. Pretty sad really, having integrity, decency, honor etc etc etc used to be pretty important traits that people held in high esteem. I’ve bailed out on channels for using sponsors that I know to be scams or very predatory, including a larger channel focused in the mid-evil weapons and armor because they continue to use these sponsors even though they were damn well told they were scams, or very predatory in trying to get peoples money. The entire mobile gaming industry is shit nowadays, it could be great but the “free to play” model has just ruined it. Pretty funny that the free to play games make more money then any pay to own games ever did. Which is my problem with them, I don’t mind at all spending money on a game I enjoy, but these games can literally cost thousands of dollars just to be competent at the highest lvl, for a short time. They will come out with other new things that specifically counter what’s good now so you then have to spend even more. VERY VERY predatory and I will not have anything to do with these pos.

[@The88Cheat]

Your honesty, integrity, and transparency are a massive bonus on top of your content. I really appreciate people that refuse to sell their souls for ad revenue.

[@DeOmri]

More youtubers should go down this path, there is a reason these companies can and will offer so much money. I did a small research project on mobile games, and they frequently have one aim and that is to trick their gamers for as much money as possible, this is especially true for those that advertise the most. As for "established titles" they are a scam, pure and simple, LegalEagle on youtube did I good video on this subject if my memory serves me right. People are easy to exploit, an influencer do influence their viewers, with power comes responsibility. Keep up the good work.

[@johanmetreus1268]

*Legal scam

[@DeOmri]

@@johanmetreus1268 It was a legal scam, this is why established titles have had to changed their website and product description multiple times as their claims were pure lies and what they sell is at best a novelty item. Lots of youtubers have stopped advertising for them for this reason. After they were found out they changed their product description so they could pretend the legal scam was not there claiming everyone knowns it is not a real thing (the opposite of what they have been claiming for years).

[@kungfugirevik657]

I appreciate the transparency. Regarding, Raid I think its hated because people see the commercial for it so often, like a song you thought was decent but not great the first few times, but after a thousand times you change the station.

[@walkir2662]

"For those of you that don't follow me on Twitter (and you totally should"... yeah, just because Musk made it a tad less of a hellhole doesn't mean I touch it with a bargepole.^

[@metatronyt]

I'm hoping he will make it a fair platform. We'll see how it goes.

[@williamlloyd3769]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic!

[@scrapmason3721]

Thank you Metatron for being that warrior in the garden. This world lacks people with principles probably more than it lacks anything else

[@Caderynwolf]

Speaking from Alba (scotland) here, established titles are a scam - whether they are fraudulent is what is not clear-cut - because it literally does not work the way they say it does. So, the quick and dirty of it: The title of Lard is between that of (landed) gentry and baron, in this case the title is attached to the estate and not hereditary, with this title there are advantages and responsibilities under law so it is illegal for you to try to use the title in any official capacity, you can be criminally charged, this is what makes Established Titles so dangerous, they can land you in really serious criminal legal trouble. As the title is attached to the estate only the heads of the estate may use the title, it's not attached to the land so even if you purchased land from the estate the title is not transferable and you are not entitled to it just by owning a plot of land - ordinarily you legally would be a tenant of the estate, in the past this would have meant you were a serf (as are your children, and their children, and so on - unless your lord saw fit to make you a freeman which releases you from their bondage and you then have both the parcel of land and the freedom to mostly do as you please) and under the full authority of your Lard, back then the difference between serf and slave was a serf owned that plot of land, but could not move or sell that plot of land while a slave did not own that plot of land, and your first born was also attached accordingly and they from birth could not move or sell that land... without permission from the lard. All titles are under the judicial jurisdiction of the Lord Lyons King of Arms and his court, only the Lord Lyon has authority to bestow/transfer/authorise/recognise the title unto you, and it's an entire process, it also costs money to do so.

[@Dukeofvampires1]

People should understand that creators need to make money to produce great content. I’d rather skip through buttwhipes ad then to be left without metatron’s content.

[@theimpossiblethespian6974]

I’ve only been subscribed since your demonstration, but my respect for you keeps rising and this video made it shoot sky high.

[@RadishAcceptable]

People dislike Raid mostly because a lot of their advertising is flat out false. The game itself is poorly made, but experienced gamers will know right away that younger people will like the game anyway, like it's designed to appeal to people who have underdeveloped brains, and the monetization is the absolute worst, as bad as Diablo Immortal. The general gaming audience hates this kind of game and wants them to fail, but when they succeed like Raid does it makes other developers turn their heads and they start thinking about how they can get some of that corrupt cancer pie.

[@sturzuus]

Not really he had his flaws but poorly made its a bit of a stretch. What made them successful in the first place is the graphic part they have no competition on that, yes the monetization is bad but you can enjoy the game as f2p also because are ways around to finish the content without all op heroes is not about having all that op champs and gear is how to beat the content with what you get. Btw did you try kabam games or League of angels types of games?! made blizzard and plarium blush regarding the monetization. And why to insults some players with expressions like ''designed to appeal to people who have underdeveloped brains"?! dark souls type of games are any better?! all you do is prowling then when fight start spam directions, dodge, health potion or in wow spam from shortcuts same rotations.

[@sk8ermGs]

So true

[@Malekith227]

The game is not poorly made. It's on the contrary quite a masterpiece. It's a slot machine, made by a slot machine manufacturer, disguised as a game totally devoid of gameplay in order to circumvent gambling laws and specially targeted at children.

[@RadishAcceptable]

@@Malekith227 In terms of game design, it's awfully made, and that's what I mean. But yes, I suppose if you consider it as a gambling machine that's "just enough" of a game to circumvent gambling laws that's designed to prey on the most vulnerable kinds of people, then yes, it's masterclass in terms of design.

[@RadishAcceptable]

@@sturzuus Yikes.... Yes, it's ABSOLUTELY designed to target vulnerable people with underdeveloped brains, and if "that's" what your take is from souls games... that just ads more evidence... Sorry they're scamming you so bad and you're in so deep....

[@ReducedEvasiveDetach]

The reason why you have such a big fan following is because of your integrity good sir. Please never change.. the world wouldn't be the same if you did. We can all take a page from your book here.

[@starcraft2own]

The only reason Raid has been singled out is because its *THE* mobile game because everyone and their grandmother has been promoting it. So it's not the game, it's just because of how popular it is.

[@therealdonnawagner]

DO NOT sign the contract that gives sign-in rights, etc...to your channel or any of your social media. Even though it's not a "scam", technically speaking, when credentials are handed over from you to another person or entity, they can become an "owner" of the channel (depending on laws, ToS on the platforms you're using, where you are living and how they have worded other sections of the contract) and lock you out. Then, they can claim rights to use/monetize the content without your further involvement, should a legal dispute arise. If they want to manage your channel using analytics, you can send those reports to them. If they want to control a channel on which you are a host, they can create a new one and have you encourage followers to subscribe. Keep up the great work and being someone we can trust when it comes to sponsored content. Your honesty is refreshing. 😊

[@shelbyspeaks3287]

Metatron has armor both on his chest and his moral character ✊😂

[@angelh5762]

Love that comment, so apt.

[@nicholasmatthew9687]

Nothing but respect for the level integrity you have. Sponsors are usually the cause that is most likely to lead to a loss of respect for a creator I like.

[@mikhhailml]

The Metatron has blacked his list

[@larrydean6550]

This is so good to here,Integrity on the web is pretty important.

[@GarfieldRex]

Coincido en todo; Metatrón es una persona del pueblo y para el pueblo, con opiniones honestas y claras, y se preocupa por su audiencia 👌

[@DjDolHaus86]

I think you have a very mature and well reasoned approach to this sort of thing so hats off to you for having the integrity to say no. I think you also draw attention to a very important part of the contract process in that it's a two way process and you have the right to adjust things which you feel are dishonest or unreasonable and send them back, you don't just have to accept their terms.

[@jasonirby3382]

Your content makes our world a better place. Thank you.

[@BrianJ1962]

One should be very wary of VPN sponsorships. In particular when it comes to highlighting their ability to change country (typically in order to access streaming services like NetFlix, etc). One thing that *always* gets neglected, is mentioning the fact that, in many countries (like here in the UK), it is technically illegal to get around geo-blocking measures. As a result, many services have started to block VPN IP address ranges - resulting in messages like: "We have detected you are using a VPN. Our services cannot be accessed via VPN..." Many website hosts have also taken to blocking VPN users - their rationale being, as was told to me when my host did it, "This is to ensure the integrity of our services and servers, because many hackers use VPN resources..." ISPs also dislike their clients using VPNs and may even go so far as to send emails along the lines: "We have detected illegal activity on your line..." often putting bandwidth restrictions on the connection as well. As a result, I find my VPN is generally off more than it is on. #Food4Thought

[@cdscissor]

So that's why Tom Scott always tries to overemphasise that point.

[@johanmetreus1268]

" ISPs also dislike their clients using VPNs and may even go so far as to send emails along the lines: "We have detected illegal activity on your line..." often putting bandwidth restrictions on the connection as well." Sorry, but it's NONE of the ISP's business whether you use VPN or not, and any restrictions they put on the connection is a breach of contract and failure to deliver.

[@balazsvarga1823]

Virgin vpn vs chad tor.

[@BrianJ1962]

@@johanmetreus1268 Absolutely agreed! Doesn't stop them from 'identifying illegal activity on your line' if that's how they wish to react to traffic they cannot packet-sniff. However, once you explain to them that it's "just a VPN" that they're 'detecting' and that it's being used legitimately (and yes, there are very many legitimate uses for a VPN), then they'll back off soon enough. The point is, if you're going to take on a VPN as a sponsor, then don't try to sell it on an ability that's illegal in many countries (why else would an ISP think VPN traffic is illegal in the first instance? "Herp-a-derp, looks like we've got somebody else accessing geo-blocked content, herp-a-derp, because that's why people use them; according to the ad's I see daily on KZbin...") 🤣

[@bobon123]

It's not _illegal_ to use a VPN in UK to avoid geolock, it is against Terms and Conditions of some service you have subscribed. You could get your Netflix account blocked, you will not go to jail. Using a VPN to avoid geolocking is _illegal_ in very few countries (Russia, Belarus, NK, China, Iran and few more - recently Turkey is added to this list).

[@sectorseven07]

I checked your graphtreon. I'm very pleased at how the viewership has come through with a huge increase in patrons. Good job Raf!

[@Dynamodog7]

I just found this channel, and I think I found Rasputin's reincarnation.

[@paulc4194]

I'm a person who fully appreciates that someone that vents in their native language. Love your contact and would watch in your native tongue.