Why nobody watches YouTube tutorials anymore

Summary

The creator reflects on why YouTube tutorials no longer attract the views they once did. They explain how YouTube shifted from a subscription-based, educational platform to an algorithm-driven entertainment hub, making it harder for educational content to thrive. Short-form videos and the rise of AI further reduce the need for long tutorials, as users now get quick answers directly from AI tools. Despite this shift, the creator encourages educators to adapt—through niche content, written media, podcasts, or course platforms—emphasizing that while fewer people learn on YouTube today, the desire to learn hasn’t disappeared, only migrated elsewhere.

Takeaways

• 😀 YouTube was once a go-to platform for educational content, but over time it has shifted towards entertainment-focused content.
• 😀 The algorithmic shift on YouTube has drastically changed the experience for users, favoring recommendations based on algorithmic predictions rather than subscriptions to specific creators.
• 😀 The rise of short-form content, like YouTube Shorts, has catered to shrinking attention spans, making it difficult for creators to deliver complex educational material effectively.
• 😀 AI tools like ChatGPT have made it easier to get immediate answers to technical questions, reducing the need for detailed YouTube tutorials.
• 😀 Educational content creators on YouTube are facing a decline in views, as entertainment content continues to dominate the platform.
• 😀 YouTube's business model favors entertainment content since it generates more views, pushing educational content further into the background.
• 😀 The shift to algorithm-driven content has reduced the ability for users to freely browse and explore content, limiting their choice of what they want to watch.
• 😀 Despite YouTube's shift, platforms like Udemy and Coursera continue to thrive because they focus solely on education and attract users with a clear learning purpose.
• 😀 AI has introduced a new form of learning that bypasses traditional tutorial formats, offering direct answers but lacking the depth and personal touch that creators provide.
• 😀 Content creators are adapting by mixing entertainment with education, moving to platforms like Substack, and focusing on podcasts to continue engaging with niche, dedicated learners.
• 😀 The rise of YouTube Shorts and other forms of quick content has made it difficult for educational content to remain relevant, as short videos are primarily focused on entertainment.

Q & A

Why has the popularity of YouTube tutorials declined in recent years?

The decline in YouTube tutorials' popularity can be attributed to several factors: the shift from a subscription-based model to algorithm-driven content, the rise of short-form content like YouTube Shorts, and the increasing use of AI tools like ChatGPT that provide instant answers. This has made people prefer entertainment over educational content.

How did YouTube's content landscape change over time?

Initially, YouTube was mostly about entertainment, with cat videos and casual content. Over time, especially in the late 2000s to early 2010s, educational content gained popularity, particularly in the realms of tech, science, and gaming. However, as entertainment content grew in volume and the algorithm shifted its focus, educational content began to lose traction, especially after 2020.

What role does YouTube’s algorithm play in the decline of educational content?

YouTube's algorithm now prioritizes content that it predicts users will like, rather than content from creators they have subscribed to. This shift reduces the visibility of educational content, as the algorithm often favors entertainment videos that generate more immediate engagement, leading to fewer people actively seeking out educational tutorials.

How has the rise of short-form content (YouTube Shorts) affected educational videos?

Short-form content has gained massive popularity due to its quick, engaging nature, catering to people’s shrinking attention spans. This shift has made it harder for educational content, which typically requires more time and depth, to thrive. Many creators have moved to Shorts, but the format is not ideal for conveying complex educational topics.

What impact has AI had on the need for YouTube tutorials?

AI tools like ChatGPT have revolutionized the way people learn. Instead of watching lengthy YouTube tutorials, users can now ask AI for immediate, concise answers to their questions. This has reduced the demand for tutorial videos, especially for straightforward tasks that AI can easily address.

Why is the experience of learning through AI different from watching YouTube tutorials?

Learning through AI provides quick answers, but it lacks the exploration and deeper understanding that comes from engaging with tutorial content. AI offers solutions without the journey of discovery, which was once a key part of the learning experience when watching YouTube tutorials.

How has the shift towards algorithmic content changed user behavior on YouTube?

With algorithm-driven recommendations, users no longer have the freedom to browse and choose content based on their own preferences. Instead, they are shown content the algorithm believes they will enjoy, often pushing entertainment over educational content. This limits users' control over what they watch.

What are the challenges of adapting educational content to YouTube Shorts?

Educational content is often too complex to be effectively delivered in a short format. Summarizing complex topics in under a minute can oversimplify concepts, making it difficult to convey the depth and reasoning that comes with full-length tutorials. While short content can be educational, it often misses out on critical explanations and exploration.

How do creators adapt to the changing content landscape on YouTube?

Creators are adapting by exploring alternative mediums like Substack for written content or podcasts for long-form discussions. Some mix education with entertainment to appeal to a broader audience, while others stick to niche topics, catering to smaller but dedicated communities. Adapting to YouTube’s algorithm is also part of the challenge.

Why are platforms like Udemy and Coursera thriving despite the decline of YouTube tutorials?

Platforms like Udemy and Coursera cater specifically to learners who are looking for structured, focused educational experiences, without the distractions of entertainment content. Unlike YouTube, these platforms provide a dedicated space for learning, where users are more likely to stay focused on the material at hand.