Google has likely operated youtube at a big loss since buying it. But instead of finding ways to sustainably grow the service, they absorbed all the cost and offered unmatched convenience over the decades. I’m referring to unlimited uploads, anonymous public viewing, high quality streams, and availability all over the world. All this time it costed Google lots of money, but they kept it all free with the purpose of dominating the video sharing market.
The problem is that nowadays youtube has turned practically into a public utility. Schools, many workplaces, many companies use it, and it’s embedded everywhere. In recent years Google has made lots of effort into squeezing their userbase for money, likely because they are trying to make this profitable. That results in lots of enshittification, and it is us who need to deal with it now.
It is very hard to just quit youtube, it’s like trying to not use a smartphone in the modern age, or trying to live without whatsapp (in some countries). You have to give up lots of things to fully quit, and be negatively affected in some ways.
In a better timeline we would have multiple video sharing websites with clear payment structures, that grow sustainably, have clearly defined limits, and all have a substantial chunk of users. That’s why I think it would be eventually good if youtube goes like twitter and requires an account for anything. They would give up their public service position, and allow creators and users to move into better platforms.
So all in all, it puts people like me in a bad position.
I don’t use any Google service, I have no account with them and thus not agree with their ToS
I can perfectly find alternatives, besides youtube.
I am often forced to see it when it’s embedded, when it’s shared in friend groups, family groups, and sometimes work groups
That forces me to deal with their shitty website
The only compromise is using invidious in my home network. I don’t deal with their shit…
Like many, this is not a money issue. I pay for Twitch/Netflix/Prime. I can afford yt premium, but for what little usage I have it’s not worth it.
This is my issue with it, hopefully it’s clear
Google has likely operated youtube at a big loss since buying it. But instead of finding ways to sustainably grow the service, they absorbed all the cost and offered unmatched convenience over the decades. I’m referring to unlimited uploads, anonymous public viewing, high quality streams, and availability all over the world. All this time it costed Google lots of money, but they kept it all free with the purpose of dominating the video sharing market.
The problem is that nowadays youtube has turned practically into a public utility. Schools, many workplaces, many companies use it, and it’s embedded everywhere. In recent years Google has made lots of effort into squeezing their userbase for money, likely because they are trying to make this profitable. That results in lots of enshittification, and it is us who need to deal with it now.
It is very hard to just quit youtube, it’s like trying to not use a smartphone in the modern age, or trying to live without whatsapp (in some countries). You have to give up lots of things to fully quit, and be negatively affected in some ways.
In a better timeline we would have multiple video sharing websites with clear payment structures, that grow sustainably, have clearly defined limits, and all have a substantial chunk of users. That’s why I think it would be eventually good if youtube goes like twitter and requires an account for anything. They would give up their public service position, and allow creators and users to move into better platforms.
So all in all, it puts people like me in a bad position.
Like many, this is not a money issue. I pay for Twitch/Netflix/Prime. I can afford yt premium, but for what little usage I have it’s not worth it.