Introduction - AI YouTube Shorts
Lately, I've been hooked on AI YouTube Shorts. There's something incredibly fascinating about how these videos bring history to life using cool AI visuals. Inspired by a channel called "The AI Historian" (a must-see if you're into this stuff!) I decided to dive into the world of AI history myself. So, I started my own channel called "Historical Facts and Stories."
I'm a bit old-school when it comes to names, but I wanted something straightforward that would clearly reflect the content. To set up my channel, I created a unique AI-generated image for the profile and channel art. With everything in place, I was eager to start making videos. Little did I know, my enthusiasm would soon lead me into the murky waters of YouTube's shadowban.
Initial Success - A Glimpse of Hope
I started searching on YouTube for how to create such killer videos and got this tutorial:
Just kidding; I already know how to create amazing historical videos, but if you want to learn, you can check out that tutorial.
So, I put Fliki to the test, the best tool I know for faceless YouTube videos. Fast forward to when I posted my first video (YouTube Short)—I wasn't expecting much. After all, I hadn't promoted the channel or told anyone about it. But to my surprise, the video hit 1,000 views on the first day! I was thrilled. Maybe I'm great at videomaking, lol. On a serious note, I think YouTube's algorithm gives new channels a bit of a boost to help them find an audience.
Feeling pumped, I jumped right into making more content. I posted two more Shorts, and the views kept coming in—500 on one video and 1,500 on another. Everything seemed to be going perfectly. The views were climbing, and my excitement grew with each upload. I started to think that I was onto something big, and I couldn't wait to see where this journey would take me.
But sometimes, when things seem too good to be true, we make decisions that change everything.
Expansion and Experimentation - The Path to Growth
With my initial success fueling my excitement, I started thinking bigger. I discovered a feature on Fliki that allowed me to translate my videos into over 75 languages with just a few clicks. The idea of reaching an even larger audience was too tempting to resist. So, I decided to take a bold step: I created ten additional channels, each in a different language, and began posting translated versions of my videos across these new channels.
My plan was simple. I took the first two videos I had made in English, translated them into ten different languages, and posted them on their respective channels. I managed to upload ten videos in one day and planned to schedule ten more for the next day. But then I hit a snag. On the 11th upload, I received a notification: "Daily upload limit reached."
It seemed like a good time to call it a day, so I went to bed, dreaming of reaching a milestone of 10,000 cumulative views across all channels. The next morning, I eagerly checked my stats. Guess how many views I got? A big fat zero. Not just on one video, but on all of them.
I was stunned. Surely, there must be an interest in these videos in other languages. I decided to give it another try, uploading ten more videos the following day. Again, zero views. It felt like a punch in the gut.
The Shock of Zero Views: The Reality of YouTube Shadowban
At this point, I started to question everything. Was there really no interest in my videos in these other languages? Or was something else going on? I decided to focus back on my main English channel, hoping to get things back on track. But the fourth video I posted there also got zero views. I thought maybe the topic wasn't engaging enough, so I tried another video. Again, zero views. And another. Still zero.
The frustration was mounting, and I couldn't understand why this was happening. The videos weren't getting flagged for inappropriate content, and I hadn't broken any rules I was aware of. I began to suspect that something more serious was at play. It wasn't just about my content failing to reach people; it felt like something was actively stopping it from being seen.
After some research, I came across the term "shadowban." A shadowban is when your content is hidden from the public without your knowledge. It's as if the platform is subtly blocking your videos from reaching viewers, even though it appears everything is normal on your end. This seemed like a possible explanation for my situation. The sudden halt in views and the issue with multiple channels suggested that I might have triggered some kind of algorithmic penalty or policy violation.
The realization hit hard. My ambitious expansion and bulk uploads may have been interpreted as spammy behavior by YouTube's algorithms, leading to the shadowban. It was a tough pill to swallow, but understanding what might have gone wrong was the first step toward fixing the issue.
Understanding YouTube Shadowban
Once I suspected that a shadowban might be the cause of my woes, I dove deeper into understanding how it works. A shadowban is a subtle yet impactful measure that platforms like YouTube might use when they detect unusual or spammy behavior. It's not always clear why it happens, but it generally involves your content being suppressed or hidden without any explicit notification to you.
In my case, the rapid expansion into multiple channels and the bulk uploading of videos likely triggered YouTube's spam detection systems. YouTube's algorithms are designed to protect users from spam and low-quality content. When they see a sudden surge of activity that looks like it could be part of a spammy scheme, they might restrict the visibility of those videos as a precaution.
Several factors might have contributed to my shadowban:
Bulk Uploading: Uploading a large number of videos in a short period can look suspicious. It can seem like an attempt to game the system or flood the platform with repetitive content.
Duplicate Content: Posting the same videos across multiple channels in different languages might have been seen as an attempt to manipulate the system.
Algorithmic Flags: YouTube's algorithms are always scanning for patterns that might suggest policy violations. My rapid expansion and large-scale uploads likely set off some red flags.
Recognizing these issues was crucial. It wasn't just about understanding that I was shadowbanned; it was also about learning why it happened and how to avoid such pitfalls in the future. The lesson was clear: YouTube values steady, organic growth and genuine engagement over rapid, aggressive strategies.
Learning from the Experience: My Honest Advice
Facing a shadowban was a tough lesson, but it offered valuable insights into navigating YouTube's complex ecosystem. The experience made me realize the importance of adhering to platform policies and focusing on genuine, sustainable growth.
First and foremost, I had to pivot back to my main English channel and rebuild its standing. I stopped the bulk uploads and focused on creating high-quality YouTube shorts that would resonate with viewers. Instead of churning out videos rapidly, I began to prioritize thoughtful, engaging content that could naturally attract an audience.
Here are some key takeaways from my experience:
Quality Over Quantity: YouTube's algorithms favor high-quality, engaging content. Rather than flooding the platform with numerous videos, it's better to focus on producing fewer, well-crafted pieces that provide real value to your audience.
Avoid Spammy Behavior: Rapid expansion and bulk uploads can be interpreted as spammy practices. It's crucial to pace your content uploads and ensure that your activities align with YouTube's guidelines to avoid penalties.
Understand Platform Policies: Familiarize yourself with YouTube's community guidelines and policies. Ensure that your content and upload practices comply with these rules to avoid issues like shadowbans or content removal.
Engage Authentically: Building a connection with your audience is essential. Focus on engaging with your viewers through comments, responding to feedback, and creating content that truly interests them.
Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on how your videos perform and be ready to adapt if you notice any sudden drops in views or engagement.
By applying these lessons, I began to see gradual improvements in my channel's performance. It wasn't an overnight fix, but the steady, focused approach helped me regain traction and rebuild my presence on YouTube. The shadowban experience, while challenging, ultimately taught me how to navigate the platform more effectively and avoid future pitfalls.
💡Explore different ways to get more views on your YouTube shorts.
Final Words
In the end, the shadowban experience was a harsh but valuable lesson. It taught me the importance of balancing ambition with strategy and staying aligned with platform policies. For anyone embarking on their YouTube journey, remember that success is built on a foundation of understanding, patience, and genuine content creation.
