Someone at YouTube needs glasses (jayd.ml)

Article summary

The author criticizes the current state of YouTube's homepage, which now displays fewer videos and more ads. They compare it to the homepage from January 2019, which showed 30 videos and no ads. The author projects that the trend will continue, with the homepage eventually showing only one video or no videos at all. They express nostalgia for the old YouTube and dissatisfaction with the current prioritization of profit over user experience.

Main themes

• YouTube ads and revenue
• User experience and design
• Ad blockers and workarounds
• Vertical videos and mobile devices
• Algorithm changes and dopamine response
• Profit vs user satisfaction

What commenters say

• Some users are frustrated with the increasing number of ads on YouTube and the decreasing number of visible videos.
• The shift towards more ads and fewer videos may be intended to increase scrolling and ad space.
• Vertical videos are preferred in some regions, particularly in Asia where smartphones are the primary device for internet access.
• The use of ad blockers and other extensions can mitigate some of the negative changes to the YouTube experience.
• Some users argue that the design changes are intended to maximize dopamine response and keep users engaged, even if it degrades the overall experience.
• Others believe that the changes are driven by a desire to increase revenue through ads, regardless of the impact on users.
• A few users have found workarounds, such as using custom CSS or extensions, to improve their YouTube experience.
• The trend towards more ads and fewer videos may ultimately drive users away from the platform.