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The fact that it's a fixed price per month service is ridiculous. Do they think it doesn't matter how long the videos are, what the quality of the content is, o

The fact that it's a fixed price per month service is ridiculous. Do they think it doesn't matter how long the videos are, what the quality of the content is, or the quantity? But then of course, I remember that they used to have (and for all I know may still have) this internal policy where if you don't upload regularly (IIRC the rule was once a week and at least half an hour) your subscribers were less likely to be notified of new videos. A flat fee means that content creators are encouraged (yet again) to upload more videos, because otherwise most people will not consider five bucks a month worth the price. One of the things that makes the Internet in general special, and by extension YouTube as well, is that niche topics can find an audience. This policy actively hurts the niche content creator who only uploads once every few months. I honestly do not understand their apparent insistence on turning everything into either a carrot or stick to get content creators to upload more videos, regardless of whether the type of content in question needs it. There is more video material uploaded per second than anyone can watch in a lifetime already! Why not focus on encouraging quality instead?

giancarlostoro 8y ago
I don't think so. I'd pay someone a monthly amount even if they didn't post every few months if the content was much better off for it and if it brought some overall value to me. I rather have quality videos than rushed and stressful content.
- nindalf 8y ago
  Counterpoint - the channels I support on Patreon release videos only when they're good and ready. Completely fine with me, and I prefer a creator earn twice as much when they produce twice as many good videos. Also, creators deserve time off. Say a channel like Every Frame A Painting, that released 2 videos in its last 2 years of existence. Supporters had pledged $7k per video whenever they released it, but if it had been $7k per month, I can imagine some supporters feeling miffed two years later that they had paid for 'nothing'. Right now, the barrier to pledging on Patreon is low. You don't need to worry about how many videos they're likely to make in the future or how often they'll release it. You don't need to audit your pledges to check if there are any channels that are simply collecting passive revenue. Pay per video and you'll get exactly what you pay for.
- vanderZwan 8y ago
  On Patreon you can choose any combination of either in any number of tiers. And it works. Both creators and consumers get the flexibility they want. It actually kind of functions like a market. Now, I'm not saying Patreon is perfect. For example, the fact that it is The One Big Player in this arena is a problem, because "walled garden" style markets are lock-in issues waiting to happen. Still, this is one thing it definitely got right. Why YT would not be technically capable of the same, given the budget available to them, is beyond me, so I can only explain this as a choice on their end.
SmellyGeekBoy 8y ago
> I remember that they used to have (and for all I know may still have) this internal policy where if you don't upload regularly (IIRC the rule was once a week and at least half an hour) your subscribers were less likely to be notified of new videos. I've been wondering why so many YouTube videos on mundane subjects are so unnecessarily long for a while now. Seems like I finally have my answer. Thanks! Although, ironically, I'm more likely to unsubscribe from a channel that routinely wastes my time with waffly, excessively padded-out videos, no matter how good the actual content.

giancarlostoro 8y ago

I don't think so. I'd pay someone a monthly amount even if they didn't post every few months if the content was much better off for it and if it brought some overall value to me. I rather have quality videos than rushed and stressful content.

nindalf 8y ago
Counterpoint - the channels I support on Patreon release videos only when they're good and ready. Completely fine with me, and I prefer a creator earn twice as much when they produce twice as many good videos. Also, creators deserve time off. Say a channel like Every Frame A Painting, that released 2 videos in its last 2 years of existence. Supporters had pledged $7k per video whenever they released it, but if it had been $7k per month, I can imagine some supporters feeling miffed two years later that they had paid for 'nothing'. Right now, the barrier to pledging on Patreon is low. You don't need to worry about how many videos they're likely to make in the future or how often they'll release it. You don't need to audit your pledges to check if there are any channels that are simply collecting passive revenue. Pay per video and you'll get exactly what you pay for.
vanderZwan 8y ago
On Patreon you can choose any combination of either in any number of tiers. And it works. Both creators and consumers get the flexibility they want. It actually kind of functions like a market. Now, I'm not saying Patreon is perfect. For example, the fact that it is The One Big Player in this arena is a problem, because "walled garden" style markets are lock-in issues waiting to happen. Still, this is one thing it definitely got right. Why YT would not be technically capable of the same, given the budget available to them, is beyond me, so I can only explain this as a choice on their end.

SmellyGeekBoy 8y ago

> I remember that they used to have (and for all I know may still have) this internal policy where if you don't upload regularly (IIRC the rule was once a week and at least half an hour) your subscribers were less likely to be notified of new videos. I've been wondering why so many YouTube videos on mundane subjects are so unnecessarily long for a while now. Seems like I finally have my answer. Thanks! Although, ironically, I'm more likely to unsubscribe from a channel that routinely wastes my time with waffly, excessively padded-out videos, no matter how good the actual content.