Becoming a YouTuber is a dream for almost every millennial now-a-days. One that is not easily achieved.
With over a billion users worldwide, uploading a billion hours of content every day, the engagement experienced by some YouTube channels is insanely high which can provide a lucrative income.
Much of the ease of video creation has shrunk in recent years as YouTube have changed their income policy due to incidences of advertisements being shown on inappropriate content. One of these videos came from a popular YouTuber named Logan Paul who vlogged and mocked a dead body in Japan’s Suicide Forrest.
After the new policy was implemented and YouTubers tried to create friendly content, their videos still would be demonetised due to some flaws in the system. This has not been resolved completely, but the company told the community that they would improve the system.
Another big movement YouTube made was the introduction YouTube’s own premium Red platform. Videos are free of adverts, music can be listened to with a locked screen and offline, and YouTube Original shows can be viewed. Of course it does not come without a price tag. A monthly fee of £11,99.
YouTuber Victoria Magrath, also called ‘Inthefrow’, spoke about the future of YouTubers in one of her videos. She said: ‘I honestly believe, YouTubers, bloggers and Instagrammers are not going anywhere, at least for a little while longer, or a lot, I say for at least five years to be honest. I personally love being recommended products, seeing outfits, I always really enjoy the online communities. Unless another platform comes along that steals everyone away, but then everyone will be on that platform. Personally I think the future for YouTubers is great.’
However, Instagram has introduced a new feature, called Instagram TV or IGTV. This allows users to upload videos and is free of adverts for viewers. IGTV is slowly increasing its viewers and popularity. The worry thing for YouTubers in this case is that their viewers will be swept away to IGTV which could decrease their popularity.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel for YouTube. IGTV can only be watched on mobile devices and in a vertical video option. This could cause big disadvantages as this will limit their number of potential users. People also do not get monetised for IGTV videos, a great divergence from YouTube.
Many YouTubers were put off by the thought of moving to IGTV, the main reason not for trying it out was because of its mobile limitations. Besides, a lot of YouTubers are established very well on YouTube, thus will not switch directly. Although for new people it is a great way to enter the market and start creating videos.
Considering YouTube is not giving hints that it will change its platform, only time will tell how the future of YouTubers will be. For now, YouTube will still continue to exist with a lot of users, views and a bit of competition.