YouTube in 2025 – A Platform in Decline? My Concerns and Future Predictions
- hardwin82
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
I’ve been using YouTube since the very beginning. For the past five years, I’ve been actively uploading content. I’ve seen what YouTube once was — and what it’s becoming now — and unfortunately, I can’t help but see its future in a very dark light.
Back in the early days, YouTube was a kind of digital Eldorado. Everyone could upload whatever they wanted. And that was a beautiful thing. Of course, violent or extreme content was removed — and that’s fair. There has to be some line of decency. But what's happening now? It feels like YouTube has completely lost itself.
As a process engineer — someone who gets paid to eliminate waste and optimize systems — I naturally view platforms like YouTube through the lens of structure, efficiency, and long-term consequences. And what I see reminds me of problems I encounter often in my professional life: when people focus too hard on what a director or executive thinks is “important” without looking at the bigger picture. They go too far, lose balance, and in the end, cause more harm than good.
It reminds me of an article I once read about the dangers of AI. The author described how a super-intelligent AI, if told to optimize something without proper oversight, could end up destroying everything in pursuit of its goal.
The example: "Make the most efficient matchstick factory possible." So the AI does — but in the process, it wipes out all life on Earth because human life wasn’t relevant to its optimization. Extreme? Sure. But eerily similar to what I see in both my work and YouTube today.
As a content creator, I’ve realized the infamous YouTube algorithm is an enigma. We all “know” how it works — but only based on patterns and speculation.
Officially, the message is: "Create good content, and you’ll get views, subscribers, money, and fame."
But anyone who actually uploads videos knows there’s more to it. The current situation is almost absurd. Someone can upload a video of themselves eating hot dogs in a bathtub and go viral overnight.
Once upon a time, creating high-quality content would bring results. But not anymore. So what does work?
1. Thumbnails — the beginning of the end
One of the first major shifts came with the introduction of custom thumbnails (2008). Suddenly, everyone was chasing attention with clickbait. I still remember those thumbnails with nearly naked women — you’d click expecting something wild… surprise, there’s nothing. But at least back then, you could dislike the video, and the like-to-dislike ratio gave viewers a quick sense of legitimacy.
Today, that ratio is gone. Why? Because someone’s feelings might get hurt?
“Bitch please.”
Removing dislikes was one of the first major nails in the coffin for content quality. But it wasn’t the last.
2. Censorship — content creators walking on eggshells
The real killer is censorship. Creators can’t even swear anymore. They can’t even say the name of the pandemic we all lived through. Talking about certain topics — even respectfully — can get your video demonetized or buried by the algorithm.
Just a few examples of what can trigger problems:
Mentioning “COVID-19” directly
Using the word “vaccine” in any non-officially accepted context
Swearing in the first 30 seconds of a video
Referring to election fraud, war, or other “sensitive topics” even if factually accurate
From a corporate standpoint, I understand. Advertisers don’t want their products shown alongside anything remotely controversial. YouTube wants to keep ad money flowing and avoid being associated with “problematic” opinions.
But from a creative and viewer standpoint, this is devastating. It’s content sanitized to the point of blandness. It’s not about truth — it’s about risk avoidance.
3. Quantity over quality — the TikTok effect
Let’s not forget TikTok. Once that platform took off, it became clear that volume was everything. People started uploading the same video dozens of times, with different music, tags, or minor edits. Same story, same visuals, just recycled.
You can’t even follow some creators anymore — they spam the feed with duplicate content. Why? Because it works.
Looks like TikTok rewards volume, not quality. And now YouTube copies the same approach?
Creators I once admired — artists, documentarians, experts — now feel pressured to upload daily. I see their content becoming rushed, unedited, unrefined. They’re professionals, forced to dumb down their topics or repeat the basics — not because their audience wants it, but because the algorithm demands it.
YouTube wants you on the platform every day. If you don’t show up with fresh content, you sink. Your videos won’t show up in searches. Not even on page 20. Even if someone searches your title — your video may be nowhere to be found.
It’s no longer about great titles, perfect descriptions, clever tags, or thumbnail design. That’s outdated thinking.
Now it’s upload daily or disappear.
And let’s be honest — can anyone really make high-quality content every single day?
You know the answer...
4. Why is YouTube doing this?
Simple: advertisers and KPI metrics.
Like in manufacturing, everything boils down to key performance indicators. YouTube wants to show charts and stats:
“Look how many hours people spend on our platform!”
“Look how often our creators upload!”
“Look at this constant engagement!”
It looks good in meetings. But it’s short-term thinking.
Many people are moving to other platforms like Rumble, Odysee, or independent video hosts. Personally, I’m exhausted. YouTube used to be everything for me. I don’t watch TV. YouTube was my go-to for learning, entertainment, news — all of it.
But now? My favorite creators are burned out, diluted, lost. They’re chasing views instead of building art. And that can’t last.
This is starting to feel like a pyramid scheme. When you reward quantity and surface-level content, and punish thoughtful work that takes time — eventually, it collapses.
Final Thoughts
That’s the big question. Will YouTube self-correct? Will creators revolt? Or will we see a new platform rise that brings back what made YouTube magical in the first place?
From where I stand, as a creator and a process engineer, YouTube is optimizing itself to death.
It needs to remember its roots. Otherwise, it might become the very thing it once disrupted: just another broadcast network, ruled by money and metrics, where creativity is a casualty.
Until then, we keep creating. We keep hoping. And maybe, just maybe, someone will save our Eldorado.
Disclaimer:
The following article represents my personal opinion and reflections based on years of experience as a content creator and process engineer. All statements are intended as commentary, not as factual claims. I do not claim insider knowledge of YouTube’s internal operations. Any resemblance to actual policies or decisions is speculative, and this text is not intended to defame, misrepresent, or harm any company or individual. Readers are encouraged to form their own opinions and do their own research.
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