How to Know If You're Shadow Banned (And How to Fix it)

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses the concept of 'shadow banning' on YouTube, explaining how channels can get stuck with very low views and why it happens. Using real examples, they share insights on how to overcome this, including the importance of avoiding overly robotic AI voices and being more human in content. They recommend experimenting with different accounts, uploading sporadically, and avoiding scheduling posts too often. The key takeaway is to warm up the account gradually, test new strategies, and stay consistent to improve performance and avoid shadow banning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Consistency is key: If your videos are stuck at low views, you should avoid posting daily and instead aim for a more sporadic posting schedule to allow time for impressions to build.
• 😀 Avoid flooding the account with content: Posting too many videos in a short time frame, especially when your channel is new, can hurt the performance of your videos. Ease into uploading gradually.
• 😀 AI voice may not be ideal: AI-generated voices, especially robotic ones, can hurt the quality of your content. For better results, aim for a more human-sounding voice.
• 😀 Older channels still need a warm-up period: Even if your YouTube account is old, it can take time for impressions to build up once you start posting regularly, so be patient.
• 😀 Avoid scheduled posts at first: When starting out, posting immediately after uploading is preferable, as scheduled posts may negatively impact your reach in the algorithm.
• 😀 Two to three months is a minimum for early-stage uploads: You need to give your account time to build impressions, which usually takes at least 2-3 months, especially for newer accounts.
• 😀 Don't expect instant results: It's common for early uploads to not perform well, but persistence is key. Consistently uploading over time will help build momentum.
• 😀 Diversify your approach: If one channel isn't performing, consider experimenting with another account while continuing to work on the original one.
• 😀 Aim for uniqueness: The more original and human your content feels, the better it will perform in the algorithm. Avoid content that feels automated or overly generic.
• 😀 Avoid long gaps between uploads: Taking long breaks between uploads, such as 2 weeks or more, can hinder your chances of getting your content into the shorts feed. Try to keep a consistent but balanced upload frequency.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video?

The video focuses on helping YouTube creators understand why their channels may not be gaining views, and how they can tell if their channel is shadowbanned or just struggling due to other factors like content quality or upload frequency.

What does the term 'shadowban' refer to in the context of YouTube?

A 'shadowban' on YouTube means that the platform hides a creator's content from other users, making it less likely to appear in feeds or recommended sections, often leading to a significant drop in views without the creator being notified.

How can a creator tell if their channel is shadowbanned?

If a channel consistently receives very low views (below 30-40 per video) despite uploading high-quality content, it could be a sign that the channel is shadowbanned, or at least struggling to reach a wider audience.

What factors contribute to a channel not getting views, even if the content is good?

Factors include the use of overly robotic AI voices, using very generic content, posting too frequently in a short period, or poor initial engagement. These can prevent videos from being recommended in the algorithm or appearing in the Shorts feed.

Why is posting too frequently in a short period not recommended for new channels?

Posting too frequently can overwhelm the algorithm and prevent the channel from building up a steady stream of impressions. It’s better to post sporadically to allow the content to be assessed and improve over time.

What is the importance of a YouTube account's 'warming up' period?

A YouTube account needs time to build impressions, even if it’s an older account. The account needs to be ‘warmed up’ by gradually posting content to help it get recognized by the algorithm and improve its chances of being recommended.

How does scheduling posts affect the performance of videos?

Scheduling posts may negatively affect a video’s performance, as it can make the content appear too calculated or artificial. Directly posting videos without scheduling them can help them perform better in terms of getting into the Shorts feed and reaching more viewers.

What should creators do if their content is still not performing after several attempts?

Creators should experiment with different approaches such as changing the content style, reducing the upload frequency, or starting a new account to test different strategies. Persistence and testing new ideas are crucial to overcoming performance issues.

How important is it to be 'human' in your content when starting out?

Being human and unique in your content is critical, especially in the early stages. Using AI-generated voices and overly generic content can be detrimental, as they fail to engage audiences in a personal, relatable way.

What advice is given for those trying to get monetized on YouTube?

To increase the chances of getting monetized, creators should ensure their content is transforming or adding value, especially if using AI voices. Talking over the entire video or offering unique insights can help avoid issues during monetization reviews.