Does This Stop Small Channels Getting Views?

Summary

The video script discusses the impact of YouTube's restricted mode on video visibility. It demonstrates how a video from the vid IQ channel disappeared in restricted mode, despite being educational and not edgy. The script questions YouTube's lack of communication regarding restricted mode and its potential to negatively affect smaller channels' views. It also compares the experience with larger channels like PewDiePie, where restricted mode doesn't seem to impact view counts significantly. The creator suggests that while restricted mode is necessary, it may be too aggressive, and wonders if small channels are unknowingly penalized by it.

Takeaways

• 🔒 The video discusses the issue of YouTube videos being restricted, which means they are hidden from view in Restricted Mode.
• 🔍 The creator demonstrates how a video from their channel, vidIQ, disappeared in Restricted Mode, despite being visible in normal mode.
• 🤔 Restricted Mode is designed to filter out content that may not be suitable for all audiences, such as in public institutions like schools and libraries.
• 📚 vidIQ's content is educational and not typically considered edgy, yet one of their videos was restricted, raising questions about YouTube's content filtering.
• 🔄 The video suggests that there is no direct communication from YouTube to creators when their content is restricted, unlike with copyright issues.
• 📉 The restricted video in question underperformed in terms of views, leading to speculation about a potential correlation between restriction and view count.
• 🧐 The age demographic of viewers for the restricted video differed from the channel's average, hinting at the impact of Restricted Mode on audience reach.
• 👀 The video points out that not all popular channels are affected by Restricted Mode, using PewDiePie as an example of a channel with many restricted videos but high view counts.
• 🚫 The script questions whether YouTube's Restricted Mode might be too aggressive, potentially restricting content unnecessarily and affecting smaller channels disproportionately.
• 💌 The video concludes that while Restricted Mode is an important feature, it may not be the sole reason for low view counts on a channel, suggesting that content and audience connection are more critical.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script?

The main issue discussed is the impact of YouTube's restricted mode on video visibility and views, particularly for educational content channels like vidIQ.

What is YouTube's restricted mode?

YouTube's restricted mode is a setting that hides content potentially containing mature themes or other content unsuitable for public institutions like schools and libraries.

How does restricted mode affect video visibility?

In restricted mode, certain videos are not displayed, which can lead to a decrease in views, especially if the video's audience is primarily from restricted environments.

Why might educational content be restricted on YouTube?

Educational content might be mistakenly flagged for restricted mode due to keywords or themes that YouTube's algorithms associate with mature content.

How does the video script suggest finding out if a video is restricted?

The script suggests searching for the video title on YouTube and then switching on restricted mode to see if the video disappears from the search results.

What is the potential impact of a video being restricted on a channel's performance?

A video being restricted can lead to underperformance and a shift in the age demographic of viewers, potentially affecting the channel's overall engagement and growth.

How does the script address the lack of communication from YouTube regarding restricted videos?

The script points out that YouTube does not notify creators when their videos are placed in restricted mode, which can be frustrating for channel owners trying to understand why their views are low.

What is the script's stance on whether restricted mode should exist?

The script acknowledges that restricted mode serves a purpose in protecting viewers, but raises concerns about its potential overreach and the lack of transparency for creators.

How does the script compare the performance of a restricted video to the channel's average?

The script notes a significant difference in performance and viewer demographics between a restricted video and the channel's average, suggesting that restricted mode can have a substantial impact.

What alternative explanation does the script offer for a video's poor performance?

The script suggests that poor performance might not be due to restricted mode but could be because the content style, such as a long-form interview, did not resonate with the audience as expected.

What is the script's final conclusion about restricted mode and its impact on small channels?

The script concludes that while restricted mode is a factor to be aware of, the ability of creators to connect with their audience is the most significant factor in a channel's success.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 YouTube's Restricted Mode Impact

The speaker begins by asking viewers if they've experienced video restrictions on YouTube, then shares their own recent experience with a video that disappeared in restricted mode. They explain that restricted mode is designed to filter out content that may not be suitable for public settings like schools and libraries. The speaker questions why their educational content was restricted and suggests that YouTube does not notify creators when their videos are placed in restricted mode. They also discuss the potential negative impact on views and speculate on whether restricted mode might be used too aggressively, affecting smaller channels disproportionately.

05:01

🤔 Reflecting on Restricted Mode and Channel Growth

In the second paragraph, the speaker reflects on the implications of YouTube's restricted mode for smaller channels, questioning whether creators are even aware if their videos are restricted. They emphasize that while restricted mode is an important consideration, it's not the sole factor determining a channel's success. The speaker shares their own channel's experience with a video that underperformed, suggesting that the content style, rather than restricted mode, was the reason for the poor performance. They conclude by acknowledging that restricted mode could be seen as a form of 'shadow banning' by some, but ultimately, it's the creator's connection with the audience that drives channel growth.

Keywords

💡Restricted Mode

Restricted Mode is a feature on YouTube that filters out content that may be inappropriate for certain audiences, such as children or in public institutions like schools and libraries. It is akin to an 'R' or '18' rating in cinemas. In the video, the creator discovers that one of their educational videos on growing a YouTube channel has been restricted, which was unexpected given the content's educational nature. This feature is central to the video's theme as it raises questions about the impact of restricted mode on video visibility and channel growth.

💡Shadow Banning

Shadow banning refers to the practice of limiting a user's visibility on a platform without their knowledge, often as a form of moderation. In the context of the video, the term is used metaphorically to describe the potential silent restriction of videos through YouTube's Restricted Mode. The creator speculates that some channels might be 'shadow banned' by being automatically placed into Restricted Mode, which could affect their visibility and performance without explicit notification.

💡Video Visibility

Video visibility on YouTube refers to how easily a video can be discovered or viewed by users. The video discusses how Restricted Mode can significantly impact video visibility, as restricted videos are hidden from users who have enabled this feature. This is a critical concept in the video as it explores the potential negative effects of restricted mode on smaller channels that rely on every view to grow.

💡Content Restriction

Content restriction on YouTube is the act of limiting the accessibility of certain videos to users based on their settings or the platform's policies. The video script highlights an instance where a video on vid IQ's channel was unexpectedly restricted, leading to a discussion on the criteria and implications of content being marked as restricted.

💡YouTube Algorithm

The YouTube algorithm is the set of rules that determine the visibility and promotion of videos on the platform. While not explicitly mentioned in the script, the discussion around restricted mode and video visibility implies the algorithm's role in deciding which videos are shown to users, especially in different viewing modes like Restricted Mode.

💡Channel Growth

Channel growth on YouTube is the process of increasing a channel's subscriber base and video views. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding platform features like Restricted Mode for creators aiming to grow their channels. The script uses the example of vid IQ's channel to illustrate how unexpected restrictions can hinder growth efforts.

💡PG Film

PG stands for 'Parental Guidance suggested,' indicating content that may not be suitable for children. In the video, the creator humorously questions the Restricted Mode application on a channel that features PG-rated content, such as 'Team Wolf 2,' suggesting that the restrictions might be too aggressive or misapplied.

💡Content Creator

A content creator is an individual or entity that produces content for platforms like YouTube. The video script discusses the challenges faced by content creators in navigating YouTube's policies, such as Restricted Mode, and the potential impact on their work's visibility and the success of their channels.

💡Video Performance

Video performance refers to how well a video does in terms of views, engagement, and other metrics on YouTube. The script uses the example of a vid IQ video that underperformed, leading to a discussion on whether its restricted status was the cause or if other factors, like content style, played a role.

💡Community Guidelines

Community Guidelines are the rules set by platforms like YouTube to ensure content adheres to certain standards. The video mentions these guidelines in the context of understanding why certain content might be restricted, emphasizing the importance for creators to be aware of these rules to avoid potential restrictions.

💡Ad Policies

Ad Policies on YouTube dictate what types of content can be monetized through ads. While not directly discussed in the script, the mention of content restrictions implies the connection between ad policies and restricted mode, as content that violates these policies might also be restricted.

Highlights

YouTube videos can be restricted, affecting their visibility.

Restricted mode filters out content that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Vid IQ experienced a video restriction on YouTube without prior notice.

Restricted mode is often enabled in public places like libraries and schools.

Vid IQ's educational content was unexpectedly restricted.

YouTube does not notify creators when their videos are restricted.

There's no clear indicator in YouTube Studio if a video is restricted.

Restricted videos may underperform in terms of views.

Age demographics of viewers can shift significantly for restricted videos.

YouTube's systems may take time to review and potentially restrict a video.

Penguin Zero's channel appears less active in restricted mode due to many restricted videos.

Restricted mode may be too aggressive, affecting channel visibility.

Small channels can be disproportionately affected by video restrictions.

Creators may be unaware of their videos being restricted.

Restricted mode can be considered a form of 'shadow banning' by some creators.

The success of a channel depends more on connecting with the audience than restricted mode.

Vid IQ doesn't believe restricted mode is the sole reason for poor video performance.

Transcripts

all right I need everybody to answer

this question before we jump into this

common YouTube Problem have you ever had

one of your videos from your channel get

restricted on YouTube Simply put yes or

no in the comments below now I assume

that most of you are going to say no and

24 hours ago we would have said the same

thing but let me show you something so

here we've got two identical screens of

videos of a vid IQ Channel and what

we're going to do is change one of these

screens to YouTube's restricted mode

that will refresh that screen so now on

the left we have normal YouTube mode and

on the right we have a restricted

YouTube mode and now I'm going to scroll

down the page a bit on both screens and

what I'm playing here is a game of Spot

the Difference and here we find one

what's happened to this video apparently

it's vanished in restricted mode to

double check this I'm going to search

for the title of a video in normal

YouTube mode and there it is and now I'm

going to turn on YouTube restricted mode

again and puff all evidence of video has

disappeared again off of YouTube so yeah

this might take a little bit of research

on your side but let me ask you that

question again have you ever had a video

from your channel get restricted on

YouTube and you can now edit your answer

in the comments below and now that

you've done that am I saying your videos

aren't getting any views because your

content is behind restricted mode I

haven't finished yet in case you're not

aware restricted mode hides content that

may contain any of the following and

it's often turned on for computers in

public institutions such as libraries

and schools think of it as the r or 18

rating when you go to the cinema and it

makes sense to have such a thing in

place to protect YouTube viewers such as

children from certain content but this

is where the questions start to mount up

vid IQ isn't renowned for its edgy

content we make educational videos on

how to grow your YouTube channel so how

did that get restricted and by including

said clip have I just restricted this

video Don't and perhaps more importantly

how do you find out if a video is

restricted disappointingly the support

Pages suggest exactly what I did search

for the title of a video on YouTube and

then switch on restricted mode that

means a couple of things firstly YouTube

isn't going to communicate to you

through email that your content is put

in restricted mode and secondly there's

no information icons or notifications in

the YouTube Studio that your content may

be restricted but what about the biggest

question of them all since the video is

in restricted mode has it underperformed

for the

channel yes yes it has the video started

off slowly and never really recovered at

this point it's flatlined and as you can

see here there is a shift in the age

demographic of people watching the

restricted video based against the

Channel's average although it does raise

a question of how any of these viewers

under the age of 18 were able to watch a

restricted video one of the reasons for

this is because videos don't

automatically go into restricted mode

when they're uploaded YouTube systems

may need to check them first I guess

it's similar to the way that YouTube

checks your video for any copyright

matches but YouTube lets you know about

those copyright matches so why not

restricted mode so I don't know it could

take an hour 12 hours 24 hours before a

video falls into a restricted mode but

anyway let's get back to the problem at

hand is this conclusive proof that

restricted mode will squish the views on

your

video I've got more to add penguin zero

moist critical one of the largest you

YouTubers on a platform with more than

50 million subscribers and is famous for

the frequency of his uploads which tend

to be daily if not more that is until

you turn on restricted mode now it looks

like he posts barely once a week but

overall restricted mode doesn't seem to

make any difference the channel has

close to 10 billion views and most of

his popular videos are all unavailable

in restricted mode and quite frankly

that could be the end of a discussion

restricted mode is there for a reason

and it seems to work

but what if it works a little too

aggressively we witnessed something very

interesting during our weekly Channel

audit live stream this channel was

getting virtually no views from any of

their videos which just didn't seem to

add up when you looked at their Channel

Focus thumbnails and titles so we turned

on restrictor mode to see what would

happen and suddenly it was if the

channel never even existed now I will

concede that it is entirely possible

that all of these videos should be put

in restricted mode although the last

last time I checked Team Wolf 2 was a PG

film so the creators reaction to it must

be pretty edgy I can only speculate of

course in the absence of concrete

information but it almost feels like

this channel has been put in some sort

of restricted mode Penalty Box no matter

what they upload it's going to be

restricted on YouTube but when you are a

small Channel fighting for every view

hell every single impression small

details like this could really matter

and like I said up until 24 hours ago I

wasn't even thinking of restricted mode

when it came to a vid IQ Channel and

then we have to go back to the

communication around videos in

restricted mode does this Creator even

know the state their channel is

currently in do you know if any of your

videos are in restricted mode and do I

think that restricted mode is the reason

a lot of small channels never get any

views no I don't actually like Community

guidelines ad policies and copyright

rules restricted mode is certainly

something to be conscious of as a

Creator but your ability to connect with

your audience is always going to be the

biggest swing Factor when it comes to

the success of your channel and so going

back to this video I don't think it

performed poorly for the channel because

it was restricted I think it performed

poorly because we were testing out a

long form interview style of content

that the audience didn't connect with as

much as we'd hoped lesson learned we

move on and if you want to call

restricted mode some form of Shadow

Banning sure go ahead why not it's the

closest thing we know of to such a thing

and YouTube doesn't tell you when it

happens to your videos