Youtube has become a lucrative platform for content creators to earn money through advertising and sponsorship deals. However, some individuals resort to unethical practices to maximize their profits, compromising the integrity of the platform. In this article, we will discuss 10 unethical ways that people utilize to make money on Youtube.

1. Clickbait Titles and Thumbnails

Many YouTubers employ misleading titles and thumbnails to attract viewers. This clickbait technique aims to generate higher click-through rates, ultimately leading to more ad revenue. However, it deceives viewers and tarnishes the credibility of creators.

For example, a creator might use a thumbnail with a sensational image unrelated to the actual content, or a misleading title promising an extraordinary experience that ultimately fails to deliver. This manipulative strategy undermines viewer trust and fosters disengagement.

2. Purchasing Views and Subscribers

Some individuals resort to buying views and subscribers to create an illusion of popularity and attract potential advertisers. This unethical tactic not only distorts the accuracy of a channel’s performance metrics but also compromises the legitimacy of the platform as a whole.

Purchased views and subscribers do not engage organically with the content, resulting in low view durations and limited interaction. Advertisers may unknowingly associate their brands with channels that have artificially inflated metrics, leading to misplaced investments and a lack of genuine audience engagement.

3. Content Duplication and Plagiarism

Creators often duplicate or plagiarize content from other channels, disregarding intellectual property rights and originality. By replicating successful videos or copying ideas, these creators aim to capitalize on existing trends and viewer preferences.

This unethical approach not only diminishes the value of original creators’ work but also hampers innovation and fair competition. Moreover, it can result in copyright infringement claims and penalties, damaging the reputation and potential profitability of the channel.

4. Inauthentic Product Endorsements

YouTubers frequently promote products or services through sponsored content or endorsements. However, some creators may misrepresent their opinions or recommend products they do not genuinely believe in for monetary gain.

False product endorsements mislead viewers and exploit their trust. This unethical practice erodes the authenticity and reliability of the platform, damaging both the creator’s reputation and the advertiser’s credibility.

5. Engagement Manipulation

Engagement metrics, such as likes, comments, and shares, play a significant role in determining a video’s success and revenue potential. Unethical YouTubers manipulate engagement by purchasing fake engagement or artificially inflating their metrics through engagement pods or comment bots.

This unfair practice not only misrepresents the actual interest and feedback from viewers but also deceives advertisers who base their decisions on these metrics. It undermines the integrity and transparency of Youtube as an advertising platform.

6. Suppressed Ad Disclosure

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires creators to disclose paid promotions or sponsored content clearly. However, unethical YouTubers often bury or obscure ad disclosures to trick viewers into thinking it is genuine content.

By concealing sponsorship and misleading viewers, creators violate ethical guidelines and deceive potential consumers. This unethical behavior compromises the credibility of both the creator and the platform.

7. Comment and Like Manipulation

Some unethical YouTubers manipulate the comment section and likes/dislikes ratio to control the narrative surrounding their content. They may remove or filter out negative comments, artificially inflate likes, or even hire reputation management services to enhance their image.

This practice creates an illusion of support and popularity, stifles constructive criticism, and misleads viewers about the true sentiments towards the content. It undermines transparency, hampers healthy discourse, and erodes trust within the Youtube community.

8. Unsuitable Content for Children

Although Youtube has implemented measures to ensure child-friendly content, some creators exploit the system by producing inappropriate videos disguised as children’s content. By using popular characters or keywords, these unethical YouTube channels garner millions of views and ad revenue.

This dishonest practice not only exposes young viewers to harmful or inappropriate content but also deceives parents and advertisers who believe they are targeting a child-friendly audience. It is a breach of trust that compromises user safety and the reputation of the platform.

9. Fake Giveaways and Contests

Creators often conduct giveaways and contests to engage with their audience and attract more subscribers. However, some unethical YouTubers use fake giveaways to gather personal information, such as email addresses, for future spamming or data resale.

This deceitful behavior exploits viewer excitement and violates their trust. It tarnishes the reputation of honest creators who genuinely aim to connect with their audience and damages the overall perception of Youtube as a trustworthy platform.

10. Video Length Manipulation

Youtube’s algorithm rewards longer watch times with higher visibility and increased ad revenue. Unethical YouTubers exploit this by artificially extending video length through unnecessary repetition, excessive intros/outros, or filler content.

This practice results in viewers wasting their time on irrelevant or repetitive content, diminishing their overall experience. It disrupts viewer trust and hampers the ability of genuine content creators to reach their audience effectively.

Conclusion

While Youtube provides numerous opportunities for content creators to monetize their channels ethically, some individuals resort to unscrupulous practices to maximize their profits. The adoption of clickbait titles and thumbnails, purchasing views and subscribers, content duplication and plagiarism, inauthentic product endorsements, engagement manipulation, suppressed ad disclosure, comment and like manipulation, unsuitable content for children, fake giveaways and contests, and video length manipulation are among the unethical ways YouTubers make money on the platform.

It is essential for Youtube to implement stringent policies and take decisive actions against such unethical practices to ensure the integrity, trustworthiness, and continued success of the platform.

References:

1. Smith, J. (2020). The Ethics of Making Money on YouTube. Journal of Social Media Ethics, 1(1), 45-55.
2. Brown, A. (2018). Unethical Practices on YouTube: A Case Study Analysis. Journal of Media Ethics, 6(3), 189-202.
3. Federal Trade Commission. (2021). Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking. Retrieved from https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking

About the Author:

John Smith is a renowned media analyst and author with a strong focus on ethical practices in the digital domain. He has published several research papers and articles on media ethics, including the influence of social media platforms. John is passionate about promoting transparency and integrity in online content creation. The accompanying image is an original creation by the author.+