Youtube restricting gun channels

[Crazy Horse]

GM all,

I have noticed over the past few months a number of gun related channels that I watch not being updated or being taken down. I thought it was just because of the holidays, but now I see that it's YT itself due to their new updated policy.

Most of the channel content described above is moving over to Patreon. While I like Patreon and understand that it supports makers of content with an income, supporting the numerous channels that I watch would result in costs similar to paying for monthly cable. I do support those which I do watch often and will continue to do so.

Here's my question: Is there another location where one can watch video content of gun related topics (GFG, HH, H45, TFBTV, etc.).

TIA

CH

 

[valnar]

I just saw GFG post that they're moving gun content to Patreon, and like you, I can't really afford to pay even a minuscule $2/month if everybody I watch starts doing that. It's really sad.

I think some people will be using Utreon or Rumble. I know that Forgotten Weapons is on Utreon and that has a free account.

I think this is one of those times in history where a ton of alternate players come out to challenge the 800 pound gorilla, and a few will be left standing at the end. We just have to get through it, and hope at least one service supports unobstructed Constitutional rights. Personally, I want there to be a clear (alternate) winner. I know that's unAmerican, but I'd rather not log into a dozen different video sites to catch all the gun content.

 

[AlexanderA]

It seems to me that there is still plenty of gun content on YouTube. Could this be about the creators of content trying to better monetize their product? As always, if you want a simple explanation, look at the economics.

 

[theotherwaldo]

A lot of my favorite sites are either moving to Rumble or backing up their posts there.

 

[valnar]

It seems to me that there is still plenty of gun content on YouTube. Could this be about the creators of content trying to better monetize their product? As always, if you want a simple explanation, look at the economics.

Several of them came out with "why" videos. Basically YT is trying to neuter gun content. The risk of upsetting the admins is not just demonetization, but an outright ban.

 

[1KPerDay]

Some are trying Rumble. Forgotten Weapons recommends Utreon. Patreon is also questionable about its gun policies. Several prominent channels have gotten YouTube "strikes" on their channels (three stikes and your channel is deleted and all your content is deleted) and very few of them have gotten any feedback as to why. The people that review the strikes are even more ignorant about guns and gun culture so appealing the strikes is pointless. From what I understand, threading on a suppressor (onto a gun) is a big no-no now, as is INSERTING or LOADING a magazine with 30 rounds or greater capacity. Or firing 30 consecutive shots. Those are not allowed. That's the best info we have at the moment. I'm sure my channel will be pulled down at some point if/when it ever gets big enough to get noticed (Jeffshootsstuff for any interested). YouTube is THE platform to get views and share information with the most people. But they are capricious and nebulous in their rules.

 

[1KPerDay]

It seems to me that there is still plenty of gun content on YouTube. Could this be about the creators of content trying to better monetize their product? As always, if you want a simple explanation, look at the economics.

No, this is a systematic attempt by YouTube to kill gun content. Kit Badger's channel was deleted a few days ago. He's the coolest, nicest, most mellow dude and never did anything "controversial." Gone.

Watch for more info if interested

 

[Old Dog]

Could this be about the creators of content trying to better monetize their product? As always, if you want a simple explanation, look at the economics.

I wouldn't think so. The facts that YouTube content comes up when the common search engines are used, and that YouTube content creators get far more views and subscribers on YouTube, and that their channels are being dumped by YouTube, suggests otherwise. Suspending channels for violation of policies that YouTube hasn't put in writing? No bueno.

As the QVO Tactical guy points out -- multiple firearms channels being deleted by YouTube immediately prior to the start of the SHOT Show doesn't seem to be a coincidence.

The media demonization and cancellation of all things firearms continues.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Several of them came out with "why" videos. Basically YT is trying to neuter gun content. The risk of upsetting the admins is not just demonetization, but an outright ban.

Exactly. It's related to more than simple economics. If that were the case, YT would allow the channels based on views as that drives up add revenue.
But I digress as my OP was on alternate sites. Thanks for addressing the additional information.

CH

 

[1KPerDay]

More evidence. AKOUs videos have all been demonetized since 2016. Still getting deletions/7-day bans.

 

[Old Dog]

But I digress as my OP was on alternate sites.

Yeah, sorry CH, didn't mean to hijack your thread.

I have not tried alternate platforms, but like you and others, I'm not really willing to pay any extra fees/subscriptions. We've gotten to the point where there now seem to be way more (overwhelmingly so) numerous options than there is quality content, so the effort to keep up is not worth the extra time and money.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Backfire also had a video where he mentioned some of the ridiculous new YT rules. He has over a million viewers and they still demonetized and deleted some of his videos. So they don't care about money or ratings, they are hell bent towards squelching all pro gun content.

 

[theotherwaldo]

BTW, Rumble is free... .

 

[dannyd]

Rumble works for me.

 

[armoredman]

They haven't hit my little channel, yet, but I haven't uploaded anything new in a while.

 

[Old Dog]

BTW, Rumble is free... .

Well, got some time on my hands this weekend. We shall take a gander.

They haven't hit my little channel, yet, but I haven't uploaded anything new in a while.

C'mon, man, get to work!

 

[wannabefree]

I have noticed a lot of talk on this subject lately and have never used Patreon. If I understand correctly patreon is a way to pay or reimburse content providers more directly. So my question is do you have to subscribe to each and every provider and pay a fee of $1 or more per month or can you subscribe to all or multiples at for one fee.
As I said I have never used or tried Patreon and just want understand how it works. If its a fee per provider is a no go for me, for a nominal fee for all then maybe but like others here I am retired and don't really like to pay to play.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Many of the sites that I visit have a primary presence on YouTube but also keep a copy on Rumble and other, less censorious sites.
Several advertise the other locations in all of their videos and put links in the info bars where allowed.
Some only put their more controversial or triggering material on Rumble or other, similar sites, with a mention of this content on their YouTube content.
That way, if YouTube wipes their sites, something remains... .

 

[jrmiddleton425]

You have to like and subscribe so that the channel gets enough "clicks" that the algorithm can't hide it. Make the gorilla notice that you're twisting his arm.

 

[valnar]

This would be a great opportunity for some Internet whiz entrepreneur to create a web site that can search, catalog and subscribe to multiple video platforms at once. That way we wouldn't need to "browse" YouTube specifically.

eg. Look up videos on a Swedish Mauser m/96. Be presented all the videos on all platforms related to it. Sort together duplicate videos, etc. Boy I wish I was talented to do that.

 

[bdickens]

You have to like and subscribe so that the channel gets enough "clicks" that the algorithm can't hide it. Make the gorilla notice that you're twisting his arm.

^^^^^^^^^^^
This.

Look at some of the Rap videos. If YouTube makes enough money off of you, they are perfectly willing to look away from content that actually does violate their policies.

The people that review the strikes are even more ignorant

There are no actual people reviewing anything.

 

[AlexanderA]

The media demonization and cancellation of all things firearms continues.

Except for Hollywood movies. Guns are still ever-present there. If the Hollywood glitterati are so against guns, why don't they set an example and stop using them in their movies?

 

[Old Dog]

Except for Hollywood movies. Guns are still ever-present there. If the Hollywood glitterati are so against guns, why don't they set an example and stop using them in their movies?

The dichotomy here between thought and action is notable, for sure. But it's all about the box office, and Westerns, thrillers, action movies, crime stories make more money than most other genres.

 

[valnar]

I always wondered how they got those evil assault rifles into California when they film those movies. They clearly use guns on the no-fly list for that State.

 

[westernrover]

wasn't Full30 started for this reason?
I know it's just one of many.
For the content creators, alternatives don't provide the same kind of revenue as the ads on mainstream media. They'd probably need direct sponsorship or patreon supporters.
Another problem is getting new viewers. The big platforms cross-promote content. People looking at 4x4 videos are likely to see a hunting or gun related channel somewhere on their screen. Hunting channels will definitely bring up gun channels. That drives new viewers to gun channels that otherwise wouldn't go looking for them. Unless the hunting, off-road, camping, fishing, etc. etc. all come over to the gun-friendly platform, it will be a lot harder for gun channels to grow viewership.