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We really don't know, but I feel like they fell into a classic engagement trap. By focusing just on engagement, they didn't measure important externalities to j

We really don't know, but I feel like they fell into a classic engagement trap. By focusing just on engagement, they didn't measure important externalities to just optimizing engagement. Sometimes optimizing near-term metrics, like engagement, is easier. But it doesn't get at what's important. You can optimize engagement, but harm lagging metrics like user retention and brand authority. In other words, you can easily create click-bait, but it will sully your brand, and just put you in a vicious race to the bottom as you chase more and more engagement, from fewer and fewer subscribers that aren't interested in your brand anymore.

supertrope 4y ago
Television has been in a race to the bottom for almost a century. Profitability is the optimization target not viewer edification or self-reported satisfaction. The fragmentation of the media market means viewers filling out the long tail. Way back when there were three channels and broadcasts ended at midnight. Now niches are filled with YouTube channels that can have as few as a dozen views. The business model of monthly subscriptions incentivizes maintaining just enough quality and content updates to keep people from cancelling. Like World of Warcraft.