Youtube 'Christmas Purge' Has Content Creators Pointing to These Alternate Platforms

Recent widespread video removals have crypto Youtubers searching for greener and more dependable pastures for content production. While reports have since emerged of Youtube claiming the incident was an accident, and that videos are now being restored, the “Christmas Crypto purge” of 2019 has nonetheless burnt an indelible memory into the minds of dedicated Youtubers. Numerous content creators in the cryptocurrency space were issued with community guideline strikes which judged their videos as “harmful or dangerous content”. Masses of crypto videos were unceremoniously deleted in one fell swoop. The timing of YouTube’s coordinated attack on the cryptocurrency space betrays part of its motive. By striking at the cryptocurrency space during the busiest time of the year, YouTube apparently hoped to minimize any pushback. Any notion that YouTube wants to work with its users to resolve its problems can be put safely to bed. Rather, this pre-emptive strike on the crypto world may be YouTube’s first step in removing a competitor from its turf. Many are now looking to back up their content or even migrate elsewhere, and suggesting more decentralized and censorship-resistant platforms for video sharing. From claims of centralized, anti-crypto motivations on Youtube’s part and bot attacks, to anti-racist groups waging war on a perceived lack of multiculturalism in crypto, theories surrounding Youtube’s recent spate of video removals, strikes and bans vary wildly. Some have suggested that channels posting external links are the main sufferers. Others say the removals were a precaution against crypto-jacking malware. A recent report has emerged of the site claiming the removals were an accident and that content has since been restored. However, major channels like Ivan on Tech still seem to be in the dark about the issue. Whatever the case may be, the incident has now incapacitated many high-subscriber, prominent content creators in the crypto space and is sending a shockwave through the community, leading some to suggest migration and adoption of other platforms. This post aims to detail some of the most commonly suggested alternatives, as well as nascent sites seeking to provide greater freedom from Youtube policy to content creators. Another webtorrent-powered P2P sharing system, and one still in early beta according to its website, Bittubers claims it “emphasizes free speech, fairness and unrestricted monetization across the board,” and notes “This platform is the successor to bit.tube, launched in mid 2018.” Bittubers also claims it does not seek to compete with other platforms, but uses its own app to build parallel integration systems which can monetize cross-posted content outside the purview of Youtube and others. Bittubers promises “no economic censorship” and also has its own associated crypto, TUBE. Youtube have influence and resources that are hard to overstate and hard to match. In order for a truly competitive system to emerge it seems dedicated users of these platforms are going to have to grow even more disillusioned, disrupting the gargantuan momentum of the network effect.

Alternative options are also going to have to become much more fine-tuned, user friendly, and financially enticing, if the increasingly antiquated dinosaur of centrally managed and censored content is to ever topple.