What I Dislike About YouTube: A User’s Perspective
YouTube, once a beacon of user-generated content, has evolved into a platform fraught with issues that detract from the user experience. One of the major complaints I have is the rampant clickbait content. The platform fails to adequately filter out content that's purely designed to generate clicks and views, often at the expense of quality and truthfulness. This leads to a cluttered and often ineffective viewing experience.
The Flawed Copyright System
Another significant issue with YouTube is its copyright system. Despite numerous updates and improvements, it still contains loopholes that allow individuals to exploit the system for personal gain. Recently, cases like Adin Ross and iShowSpeed submitting false copyright takedowns have caused considerable distress and financial loss for content creators. Furthermore, the practice of LordNazo falsely claiming to be Bungie or QuantumTV only adds fuel to the frustration. These actions not only stifle free speech but also undermine the integrity of the platform.
Suffocating Advertising
The advertising on YouTube is another area that needs significant improvement. I find the non-skipable ads that play before, during, or after videos to be intrusive and disruptive. In particular, the ads that are the same for every video I watch become frustrating very quickly. Not only do these ads clutter the viewing experience, but they also feel like a violation of user autonomy. I often wish that YouTube allowed users to choose whether they want to watch ads or pay for an ad-free experience.
One of my pet peeves is the constant repetition of the same ad before every video. Often, the content of the video and the ad are completely unrelated, which further erodes the experience. The option to have ads play silently under the video would be a significant improvement. Additionally, the automatic playing of other videos in the suggested section can be annoying, as I often navigate to YouTube for a specific reason, not to be bombarded with unrelated content.
Location-Based Lockouts and Playback Errors
Another issue I've encountered is the frequent lockouts due to location changes. YouTube sometimes triggers errors that lock me out of my account, even though no actual changes were made to my location settings. This technology is not infallible, and it often fails to account for legitimate changes in location. The fact that live streaming is supposed to be a real-time service but is often disrupted by such errors is frustrating. It defeats the purpose of live streaming if it doesn't work when I need it to.
While I don't expect YouTube to reimburse me for no service, I do expect them to address these issues promptly. Technical errors should not result in users being locked out without proper notice or resolution. Live streaming is supposed to be a seamless experience, and YouTube should take steps to ensure that it is.
Age Restrictions and Edge Cases
Another problem with YouTube is its strict implementation of age restrictions. Removing the dislike count was a necessary step, but age restrictions can be overly broad and sometimes seem arbitrary. For instance, Mr. Beat's video on the I/P conflict was age restricted despite not containing any explicit or mature content. This strict enforcement can be problematic for content that discusses controversial topics in a responsible manner.
Age restrictions should be reserved for content with explicit or mature themes, rather than being applied to more nuanced discussions. Users should have the freedom to view content that is contextually appropriate, even if it touches on sensitive topics.
Control Bots and Account Issues
Lastly, the automated systems on YouTube can sometimes be too aggressive, leading to issues with account restrictions or bans. For example, typing "therapist" was automatically interpreted as "rapist," resulting in a temporary ban without any clear explanation. The lack of transparency and detailed reasons for such restrictions can be disheartening and frustrating. This kind of behavior from the platform can make users feel powerless and unheard.
Instead of stifling free speech, YouTube should work to improve its systems to better differentiate between malicious and accidental content. Transparent and clear communication from the platform can go a long way in resolving these issues and rebuilding trust with its community.
As a result of these issues, I have become increasingly disillusioned with YouTube and rarely use it anymore. I believe YouTube has the potential to be a fantastic platform, but it needs significant improvements in content moderation, advertising, and user experience to achieve that potential. The future of YouTube lies in its ability to address these concerns and create a more enjoyable and engaging platform for all users.