Major YouTube Controversy (Patreon)

In mid-2014, YouTube changed its algorithm in such a way that it dramatically affected channels like mine, animators who could only upload shorter videos infrequently. At that time my income from ad revenue, which amounted to a middle-class income, dropped by around 50-60% to a lower-class income. Of course, I could keep posting, but not full time, which meant maybe only a couple animations per year. So, I decided to try Patreon, and that really saved my ability to keep regularly posting on YouTube. My income still isn’t what it used to be, but it wasn’t that far off - until now.

YouTube is currently undergoing an advertiser boycott because various news outlets, like Wall Street Journal, reported that the ads of major companies were being displayed alongside controversial content. Keep in mind that it wasn't customers complaining; it was old media, who have everything to lose from the growing popularity of new media and the empowerment of independent media creators like me. YouTube has responded with various steps, like adding a “Restricted Mode” which makes controversial channels like mine disappear when activated. They’ve also reduced or eliminated ad revenue to controversial channels. I guess they don’t want to take any risks with their coveted brands. This has taken effect for me within the last few days. My remaining ad revenue is virtually gone, maybe about 5% of what it was in 2014, when I had far fewer subscribers and content. In actuality, as my content and subscribers increase, so too should my income, but thanks to being lumped in with those who aren’t “advertiser friendly” I’ve taken a 95% pay cut - despite improving my animations, increasing my content, and growing my channel.

As of now, this Patreon account pretty much supplies all the income the DarkMatter2525 channel makes. I would like to keep making content, even if it means no money, but that’s just not sustainable. This takes too much time to be able to do that. So, I hope you’ll stay with me and/or consider increasing your pledge. I usually notice a big drop after Patreon pays out at the beginning of the month, but I hope those of you who were planning to do that will stay with me.

I’m going to keep using YouTube for now, but I’m also looking at other sites, because YouTube needs a serious competitor, and other sites could use large audiences like mine. Part of the problem is YouTube’s monopoly. For now, I’ve made an account on the vid.me video sharing site using the same name: https://vid.me/DarkMatter2525

I’ll keep brainstorming about what to do, and of course I’ll anxiously read though any suggestions/insights you might provide.