YouTube stars' fury over algorithm tests By Chris Fox

Technology reporter Published duration 28 May 2018

image copyright Getty Images

Some of YouTube's most popular stars have criticised the website for "experimenting" with how their videos are delivered to their fans.

Unannounced, YouTube started testing an algorithm that changed the order videos appeared in users' subscription feeds.

The experiment came to light when some users complained on social media.

One YouTube star said it was the worst decision the website had made for years. But YouTube defended its experiment.

What's the issue?

Manipulating the subscription feed using algorithms could make it more difficult for smaller channels to get their content seen.

Originally, the YouTube subscription feed was a chronological list of videos from all the channels that a person had chosen to "subscribe" to. The system let people curate a personalised feed full of content from their favourite video-makers.

However, many video-makers have previously complained that some of their videos have not appeared in the subscription feed, and have questioned whether YouTube manipulates the list to boost viewer retention and advertising revenue.

YouTube's latest experiment - which it said appeared for a "small number" of users - changed the order of videos in the feed. Instead of showing the most recent videos at the top, YouTube said the manipulated feed showed people "the videos they want to watch".

Why are YouTube stars annoyed?

"When I click subscribe on a Youtube channel, that's me saying: 'More of this, please,'" explained video-maker Gary C.

"I don't expect to be force fed things YouTube 'thinks' I should see. I have nearly 47,000 people who said 'yes', yet I'm regularly asked if I still post videos."

Technology vlogger Marques Brownlee - who has more than six million subscribers - said prioritising videos "they think we want to see" was a "business move". But he added: "It's a subscription box. Users chose to subscribe. They want to see it all. If they don't, they'll unsubscribe."

image copyright Getty Images image caption Marques Brownlee has more than six million subscribers

"People use the subscription tab to mainly avoid this sort of algorithmic behaviour on the platform," said games reviewer Sean McLoughlin, who produces videos as Jacksepticeye. "Please keep that to the home page and recommendations."

Lifestyle vlogger Alfie Deyes, who has more than five million subscribers on the platform, said it was "the worst decision YouTube has made in the past nine years I've been making videos".

What has YouTube said?

YouTube said the experiment only appeared for a "small number" of people. It stressed the "personalised" feed was optional and that it was not planning to remove the chronological feed.

However, YouTube told the BBC that people with the "personalised" feed were watching videos for longer.

YouTube has shifted its focus away from the number of "views" that a video attracts to overall "watch time". Video-makers are now encouraged to produce longer videos that keep viewers on the platform for longer.

The change explains why previously short videos, such as DIY demonstrations or "how-to" tutorials, are now often dragged out over 10 minutes or more.

image copyright Getty Images image caption YouTuber Grace Helbig begged the site: "Please don't do this"

"We're testing a setting that allows users to sort the subscriptions feed based on the content a user usually engages with the most," the company said in a statement.

"This is one of many small experiments we run all the time on YouTube."

One video editor suggested YouTube needed to improve its communication about algorithm experiments.

"Just tell us or email before you roll out an 'experiment'," said Seth Brown. "It's not that hard guys."