In the current media climate, the risks of recommending small channels probably aren't worth it. The moment something dodgy gets recommended and journalists get

In the current media climate, the risks of recommending small channels probably aren't worth it. The moment something dodgy gets recommended and journalists get ahold of it, the loss of advertiser income site-wide costs both YouTube and other creators far more than they could ever get from better recommendations. The incentives are intentionally stacked against you.