Today’s development is that I’m committing theft from content creators on YouTube.

OK. So, you think I, as an unemployed writer, am responsible for “content creators”? What the fuck does that mean, anyway? I’ve shot porn, written lots of columns and editorials, and taken photos.

This is back when we didn’t call it “content.” So what’s your point? Up-and-comers need more money than corporate America and me?

I’m going to need a more compelling argument than “you’re stealing if you use an adblocker.” I simply don’t have the energy to point out that if losing work as an editor makes me a thief, you should direct your ire to the media companies that no longer care to hire us.

If I were making six figures and owned my home, as I should at 46, sure … fair play. I can afford YouTube Premium. Neither is true, so this feels mostly like a case of “shut up, nationally award-winning pleb who has literally run newspapers; you don’t understand the media industry.”

And in a manner of speaking, they’re right. I understood it only while we had the audacity to commit journalism.

    • SteevyT@beehaw.orgEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      From what people I watch say, youtube doesn’t pay half the time anyway so what’s the difference?

      • apotheotic (she/her)@beehaw.orgEnglish
        2·
        1 month ago

        I mean I don’t have a horse in this race, I block ads and sponsorships without shame and also support the creators I enjoy directly

        • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          I’m not currently in a financial position to support individuals, though I once did. I find it abhorrent that paying for a service rarely means payment to the actual creatives, just padding corporate profits.

          • apotheotic (she/her)@beehaw.orgEnglish
            1·
            1 month ago

            Agreed. No hate to you for being unable to support creatives, I consider my supporting them as separate from my decision to block ads.

            • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
              1·
              1 month ago

              As soon as someone offers me a living wage to edit or write, I’ll happily start spreading that around. But I’d kinda like to have indoor plumbing first.

      • apotheotic (she/her)@beehaw.orgEnglish
        1·
        1 month ago

        Creators aren’t, as far as I know, actually paid per view, so much as they are paid per ad impression (that’s why some people like shoving 10 ads in their videos)

          • apotheotic (she/her)@beehaw.orgEnglish
            2·
            1 month ago

            My understanding was that was how it works for shorts, not for standard videos, but I could be wrong.

            Edit: yeah it isn’t pooled for standard videos

            Watch Page Monetization Module

            If a partner turns on Watch Page Ads by reviewing and accepting the Watch Page Monetization Module, YouTube will pay them 55% of net revenues from ads displayed or streamed on their public videos on their content Watch Page. This revenue share rate also applies when their public videos are streamed within the YouTube Video Player on other websites or applications.

            Shorts Monetization Module

            If a partner turns on Shorts Feed Ads by reviewing and accepting the Shorts Monetization Module, YouTube will pay them 45% of the revenue allocated to them based on their share of views from the Creator Pool allocation.

            Source

            In this case I’m fairly sure that “revenue from ads” doesn’t mean “when someone clicks an ad and buys the product” (though that might factor in) but rather the revenue gained from advertisers paying to be displayed on the platform, which is generally charged on a per-n-impressions basis

            • midribbon_action@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
              1·
              1 month ago

              Yeah that looks like it is the way it is. Which, to be clear, does not change my decision to block ads, as that is based in having a pretty basic level of self respect and appreciation for my own time. But it is good to know, so thanks.