YouTube targets Clipper accounts and will prioritize original short films
The updated algorithms will “reduce the reach of content re-uploaded by other creators.”
YouTube is trying to reduce the reach of Clipper accounts (users who download clips from other accounts without adding anything) in Shorts. This is great news for people who like to watch new content without having to wade through a sea of repeats.
The platform says it is updating its recommendation algorithms to “more prioritize original content and reduce the reach of content re-uploaded by other creators.” YouTube hasn’t specified how exactly this would work, as tech platforms are notoriously stingy when it comes to describing the inner workings of proprietary algorithms.
He said, however, that channels that primarily aggregate pre-existing content without significant changes “will likely see less distribution in the Shorts feed.” This doesn’t mean reposts will be limited across the board, but YouTube wants people to add “real value” through “original comments, unique edits, or narration.” To this end, the platform suggested that Clipper accounts should instead focus on their own voice during uploads.
There remains one unanswered question. Many relevant YouTube creators cut their own full content to add to Shorts. We don’t know if these algorithmic changes will also lower the priority of these videos. That would be a shame, because it’s a good way for creators who specialize in longer videos to get some views from Shorts. Woozad has contacted YouTube to ask about this and will update this post as soon as we hear back.
This is just the latest YouTube update in recent weeks. The platform recently announced the ability to create custom video streams and now allows users to drop gifs into comments sections. There is also a new automatic dubbing tool that will translate content in real time.
