It’s widely believed YouTube’s algorithm is the cause of creator burnout on the platform. According to a YouTube product manager, that isn’t always true.
YouTube’s product manager Todd Beaupre posted a video where he presented data from hundreds of channels. The data is very interesting. Each channel has its own upload schedule. Some channels don’t have an extremely demanding upload schedule, which allows those running those channels to take regular breaks. However, there are creators who have to constantly create and upload content; some even have to upload every day. Their audiences have become used to that schedule and expect creators
Beaupre and his YouTube associates are looking to tackle this issue with the platforms’ algorithm. “It really depends a lot on the nature of your audience and the type of content you’re doing,” Beaupre says. “If somebody does take a break and their audience is still interested in seeing their content, we’re trying to make the algorithm show that to them.”
Not all YouTubers who take breaks
YouTube wants success to be based more on the viewers and less on the algorithm
Elle Mills, who joins Beaupre in the video, is a popular YouTuber who suffered from creator burnout, referencing her worries about taking too many breaks.
“I try to refrain from taking too many breaks because I feel like people are less forgiving,” Mills says.
Mills argued that YouTubers have to go through the daily grind of YouTube to get to the point where they can feel safe enough to take a break and not worry about the algorithm.
“I feel like when growing an audience, consistency is the most important thing,” Mills says. “You need to build trust with your audience, and they need to know they’re going to come like every week and see a new video from you. Once you gain that community and that trust, that’s when you’re able to be a little looser with your upload schedule.”
Still, Beaupre says YouTube is looking for ways to let creators reach success based on viewers and less by the algorithm, ending the creator burnout epidemic.
“There are some channel types or content where the audience is really expecting a consistent experience,” Beaupre says. “Connecting with a creator, maybe a vlogger, that consistency can be really important. But I don’t think it applies to all channels. We definitely want to set YouTube up so that all different types of channels can be successful and really let the audience drive what gets recommended.”
