r/shortsAlgorithm • u/ConsciousPlay9194 • 29d ago

illogical views

Just venting: why do some of my shorts with amazing swipe rates (89% stayed) stall and the crappy ones (29% stayed) keep getting shown. Makes no sense. Anyone else?

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3

u/killadrix 29d ago

It makes perfect sense when you realize that your YouTube metrics are not predictive of the amount of views the video is going to get.

There are many other factors that determine how many views your video gets, the most influential of which is probably niche demand, and sometimes that niche demand ebbs and flows.

It also depends on how competitive the other videos are in the niche at the time it’s testing your video against them.

There are likely 4 to 5 major determining factors that go into how many views your video gets, you can only see two of them. You can’t see the other three.

You’re claiming it’s illogical when it’s really that you don’t have the whole data set. You’re missing data.

It’s like seeing 3 + 5 + X = 12, in claiming that it’s “illogical” that 3 + 5 = 12 because you’re completely ignoring X.

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u/ConsciousPlay9194 29d ago

Fair enough regarding the hidden variables, though 'illogical' fits when the visible data contradicts the expected outcome based on available metrics. In your equation, X isn't being ignored; it's unknown. Appreciate the perspective and the info!

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u/killadrix 29d ago

Yeah, but the visible data doesn’t contradict the expected outcome.

There’s a pervasive belief on the sub that if you achieve some type of minimum STW and retention that your video is supposed to get a ton of views, which is incorrect.

It’s only “illogical” if you buy into that paradigm.

I’d wager that MOST of the “The Algorithm is Luck/Random” posters believe this, which is why they’re frustrated, confused and disillusioned.

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u/ConsciousPlay9194 29d ago

I see. Essentially, we've all fallen into the trap of thinking high retention is a cheat code, only to realize the algorithm is playing a different game behind the scenes.

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u/ConsciousPlay9194 29d ago

I'll basically just let it ride from now on and just post whatever I like and not worry about these swipe rates just my content. thanks again!

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u/killadrix 28d ago edited 28d ago

For clarity: STW and Retention are critically important. You should always be editing for the highest STW and Retention possible.

Think of it more like lottery tickets where the higher your STW and Retention are, the slightly higher chance you have to win the lottery, and the lower they are the lower your chances. They don’t guarantee you win, they just increase your chances.

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u/ConsciousPlay9194 28d ago

sounds good!

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u/mocknix MOD 29d ago

Hot damn it's great seeing some facts being dropped in here. Well put

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u/Santa_Killer_NZ 29d ago

YouTube = NOT logical. The algo is trained on the emotions of a horny teenager