YouTube's falling views worry creators
Since August, many creators began to notice a drastic drop in the reach of their videos on the platform. While it's common for there to be less activity during certain months of the year, this time the situation was more than expected. The decrease in views is especially affecting small channels, which rely on organic traffic to sustain their income.
Most theories point to algorithm tweaks and new AI-based moderation tools. These filters are said to be reducing the recommendation of certain content, especially those perceived as inappropriate for young audiences.
YouTube 's emphasis on short-form formats, such as Shorts, appears to be displacing traditional videos, creating a faster-paced but also shallower ecosystem. This shift raises questions about the sustainability of the current model for those who prioritize quality and professional editing.
Algorithm changes and a filter that hides content
The strongest hypothesis points directly to the heart of the platform: its algorithm. According to several independent analyses, YouTube is reportedly implementing new automated moderation measures, particularly focused on age verification and Restricted Mode. These artificial intelligence-based tools seek to limit access to content deemed inappropriate for minors, but are reportedly being applied excessively or erratically.
As a result, many videos stopped appearing in recommendations, affecting their organic reach. This particularly hurts those who create content for younger audiences, such as video games, reviews, or general entertainment.
Shorts, AI, and the frequency incentive
Meanwhile, YouTube continues to invest heavily in Shorts, a short, vertical format that's gaining ground. More and more creators—and even automated accounts—are producing this type of content using generative artificial intelligence. It's fast, cheap, and easy to publish. And the algorithm seems to reward it.
But this dynamic creates tension with those who prefer to take the time to produce quality videos, with careful editing, scriptwriting, and research. The widespread perception is that YouTube is prioritizing quantity over quality, forcing a change in strategy that not everyone can or wants to follow.
Small channels are the most affected by the fall
While big-name creators can cushion the loss with sponsorships, memberships, or stores, emerging channels face a much more precarious outlook . For many, losing half their views means failing to cover basic costs or abandoning the project altogether.
Furthermore, there's a risk that this situation will narrow the diversity of voices on the platform. The harder it becomes to grow from the bottom up, the more content will become concentrated in the hands of a few.
Temporary test or permanent change?
Some experts suggest that YouTube took advantage of August—a historically weak month for traffic—to test changes to its algorithm. This would be a way to assess the impact without significantly affecting overall metrics. But the lack of official communication leaves everything open to speculation.
So far, the platform has not issued clear statements regarding adjustments to moderation, recommendations, or visibility. This silence only deepens the frustration of creators, who don't know how to adapt to a situation they don't fully understand.
How can creators adapt?
Faced with this context, many are rethinking their strategies. Some prioritize frequent publishing, even if it means lowering quality. Others are exploring new formats, such as podcasts, live streams , or content for other social media platforms .
There are also those who are opening secondary channels with different themes to diversify their risk. But not everyone has the time, resources, or loyal audience to survive this paradigm shift.
In conclusion , what began as an expected drop in seasonal views has transformed into a warning sign about the changes facing the YouTube ecosystem. Algorithmic pressure, the push for Shorts, and automated moderation are reshaping the content creation model. Without greater transparency and dialogue from the platform, many creators—especially the most vulnerable—could be left behind.
