YouTube's algorithm hides a vast world of overlooked content

In recent discussions about YouTube, various experts have highlighted the platform's evolution from its amateur inception to its current status as a significant content creator space. Although touted as a new Hollywood, there is a hidden landscape that remains largely invisible to the average user, focusing primarily on popular content. Ryan McGrady, a senior researcher from the Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, emphasized the need to broaden our understanding of YouTube. He articulated that most conversations about the platform reflect a narrow perspective that neglects the millions of users who create and upload content outside mainstream visibility. A notable observation is that most YouTube videos are not meant for general visibility, resonating more with niche groups or specific communities. Contrarily to common belief, YouTube asserts that it does allow access to videos with lower views along with content from smaller channels, aiming to connect users with videos they find valuable. As of today, there are millions of videos on the platform that fall under this category, evidencing a stark dichotomy between popular content and the plethora of lesser-known uploads. In South Asia, for instance, platforms like YouTube serve an essential role as a video messaging tool for people who may have low or no literacy skills. This facet demonstrates how expressive and functional YouTube has become as a communication medium, extending beyond the typical viewership and into diverse uses that transcend geographic and educational barriers. An analysis of YouTube data from 2017 noted that for every 10,000 views, 63 to 72 came from content violating YouTube policies. Remarkably, this figure has reduced significantly, dropping to eight to nine views as the company has worked on refining its algorithms and policies. McGrady suggests that while it is indeed possible to find content that violates these policies, it remains an unusual occurrence compared to the content hosted across the entire platform. Overall, this evolution and the growing engagement with varied content emphasize the importance of understanding how people utilize the web today, suggesting a return to the essence of early internet exploration.