Youtube has definitely changed over the years--not only in appearance, but in content, as well. It seems like such a long time ago when Shane Dawson videos were the shit and challenge videos ruled the tube. That was the standard of entertainment on Youtube. Nowadays,Youtube seems to be flooded by commentary videos, let’s play videos (gaming videos), reaction videos, and my least favorite: faux inspirational vlogs. Not to mention the hierarchy of big channels that rake in a majority of the views.
Youtube used to be a place where anyone, someone like YOU or me, could post anything we wanted. Maybe it would go viral, maybe we’d establish a following, but that’s not what mattered back then. People used to make fun and creative videos, then things started to change when Youtube began paying popular content creators. Things went from "yeah, I love making videos and making people happy!" to "hey, I’m not gonna put in as much effort as I used to now that I have subscribers and I’m making bank, but I def still love you guys and do this for fun (and cash)." If you don’t agree with me, then tell me why most of the successful Youtubers have multiple channels, specifically a vlogging channel and a gaming channel and a miscellaneous third channel. No, not all of them do it, but a lot of them do. Money people, blame the money.
I'm not knocking anyone that has become successful on Youtube. It’s not easy to consistently impress an audience, but it is a little ridiculous how all major channels are a variation of tutorials, gaming, pranks or commentary. On top of that, you’ve got Youtubers going after each other trying to copyright things (Yeah, Fine Bros, I’m looking at you), and scandal after scandal of abuse of power (Tobuscus, Tom Milsom and Veeoneye) and petty drama. In fact, drama seems to be what’s changing Youtube, according to boss Youtubers Markiplier and Pewdiepie. I would have to say they aren’t really wrong. No joke, the last few videos I’ve watched have been about the Youtube drama. I don’t think they’re right to say that drama is the only things changing Youtube because drama has always been there. It’s just now becoming another thing that Youtubers are benefiting from. Some of the fastest growing channels at the moment are channels that cause drama (Leafyishere) and channels dedicated to reporting drama (Drama alert). I guess big Youtubers don’t like the idea of having a Youtube Big Brother waiting for them to slip up and benefiting from their misfortunes. It's understandable, but that’s to be expected with fame, I guess.
Youtube has definitely changed. Big channels want to stay big, while little channels are willing to do anything to get bigger. It’s become competitive now. Not just anyone can make cash by simply talking into a camera anymore. You’ve gotto follow the formula, being a trendy prank channel or the next hundred unoriginal let’s play channel (yes, I have a something against gaming channels, there’s TOO many of them dammit) or become an unpopular roast channel and have all the big channels hate you. Maybe our taste as viewers has changed because we've been seeing a lot of the same stuff over and over again. Or maybe Youtube has become mundane because it lost its original appeal. I can’t remember the last time I generally enjoyed a video that wasn't a music video and that’s sad considering I go on the site everyday. Whatever the reason it’s pretty agreeable that Youtube isn't what it used to be.
