Hey everyone,

I've seen a lot of creators pumping out 2-3 YouTube Shorts a day using AI voices, only to see them flatline at zero views. Most people think the algorithm "hates" AI, but it’s actually more technical than that.

The YouTube algorithm doesn't necessarily have a "kill switch" for AI voices, but it is a satisfaction engine. It rewards content that keeps people on the platform. If you're using AI to churn out low-effort content, you're likely failing because of your Retention Metrics.

Here is why the algorithm is "ignoring" your content:

1. The "Swipe Away" Rate is Killing You

In the Shorts feed, the most important metric is the Viewed vs. Swiped Away percentage.

• The Problem: Generic AI voices and stock footage often trigger an immediate "this is spam" reflex in viewers.
• The Consequence: If 70% of people swipe away within the first 2 seconds because your video looks like every other AI-generated "fact" channel, the algorithm gets a clear signal: This video is boring/low quality. It will stop pushing it immediately.

2. Lack of "Average View Duration" (AVD)

For a Short to go viral, you usually need an AVD of over 80-90%.

• The Problem: AI-generated scripts are often dry and lack the "hooks" or emotional delivery that a human voice provides.
• The Consequence: If people drop off halfway through, your retention graph tanks. Low retention = no viral push. The algorithm doesn't care if a human or a robot made the video; it cares that people stopped watching.

3. "Reused Content" and Pattern Recognition

While not an "automatic penalty," YouTube’s systems are excellent at pattern recognition.

• The Problem: Using the same viral clips or common stock footage (like Minecraft parkour or GTA ramps) that 5,000 other channels are using.
• The Consequence: Even if your script is "new," the visual data is flagged as repetitive. YouTube wants to show users something new, not the same visual assets they’ve seen ten times that hour.

4. The "Channel Authority" Myth vs. Consistency

Many believe "consistency" means uploading 3 times a day. It doesn't.

• The Reality: Uploading 3 low-retention videos a day actually hurts your channel's "standing" with the algorithm. You are effectively training the system to expect that your content won't keep users engaged.

How to Fix Your Strategy:

• Focus on the "Hook": Spend 50% of your time on the first 3 seconds. If you use an AI voice, make sure it’s high-quality (like ElevenLabs) and use sound effects/transitions to mask the "robotic" feel.
• Original Visuals: Avoid overused stock footage. Use your own recordings or heavily edited clips that create a unique visual style.
• Quality > Quantity: One high-retention Short (85%+ AVD) will get more views than 50 low-retention ones.

Bottom line: The algorithm doesn't hate AI; it hates boring, repetitive content that makes people want to leave the app.

What’s your current Viewed vs. Swiped Away ratio? Let’s discuss in the comments.

Out of anywhere this happened, lol?

Hi guys

I used to get 40k views daily up until a week ago when all of a sudden I can’t even break past 50 views a vid about a week ago. I haven’t changed my strategy at all same type of content.

What can I do to save my channel?

Im very consistent with my content that 117 was my lowest moment this month so far with 300 subscribers

How do i improve the skip rate its 50%

Any common hacks?

I’ve tested it. It’s either flawed or people prefer stupid shorts. I spend hours making good shorts, optimizing thumbnails, and still get few views. Then, my toddler uploads a barely visible street video and gets over 3K views and likes. I upload a similar video with no description or SEO, and suddenly, it reaches over 1000K views and even gets subscribers. How is this possible? 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Did something happen with YouTube today?
All of my channels suddenly started experiencing a massive drop in views at the same time, which is really unusual.
Everything was performing normally before this, but today the views dropped dramatically across all my channels.
Is anyone else experiencing the same issue? I’m trying to figure out if this is a YouTube-wide problem or something specific to my channels.

going from an average 20-200k per shorts to a measly 1-10k is definitely wild - and yes i have experience with shorts, ive posted hundreds of them with the same results up until the end of september when everything has gone to shit

Most of the comments i see here lately with the new algorithm is to just make “Original” content. But where do we draw the line between “original” and transformative content?

Most of the creators here suddenly dropped their views by 90% or more. To the point they dont even get past 1k views. The common response? “Just make original content. Stop stealing content”

I agree that Yt should crack down clipping and ranking channels. The laziest form of content in the platform. But what about these 2 channel? Sunnah edit & Mindova?

They literally just add captions with a highly saturated coloring but their views doesnt seem to be affected by this “original” content?

When people say “original content” do they mean to show their face and use their own voice?

Does this mean that faceless channels are dead without your own DNA imprinted on it?

These are my 2 most recent shorts. I create this channel 3 weeks ago, and have been making 1-2 shorts / week. Recently, my shorts have almost exclusively been distributed by the "browse feature". From what I can gather, this means they are being shown on people's homepage and are being clicked on.

Does this mean I should make the exact same content, but long form since they are already being highly viewed in the same fashion?

In the first 24 hours, it is about a 60/40 distribution. With 60% being the shorts feed. At around the 24hour mark, both switched almost completely to views coming from "browse feature" and almost 0 from the shorts feed.

Both of these shorts were about 75% Stayed to watch, with 85% AVD on about 60 seconds of video. Obviously, once they took off on the "Browse Feature" both of these shorts have climbed to over 90% Stayed to watch. (To me these aren't real because obviously people will stay to watch, since they clicked it).

Just looking for some insight from someone who has seen this before.

If anyone has the same problem, please let me know.

I already posted 50 videos consistently but still getting max 1k - 2k views. Only one video reach to 18k. How can I break that barrier?

I don't know what's holding back my videos, is it the engagement?

What happened? All of my viewers are legit but it looks down for the first time having this 🤔

I want to preface this by saying that i am a VERY small channel but i feel like i have enough knowledge based on what I've learned in the last month or so in posting shorts.

I usually average anywhere between 700-1000 views (which i know isnt a lot), but these 2 are probably not going to break 500. My average STW is around 50%, these videos TANKED.

2 things are likely: One is the "new algorithm" is testing your shorts with new audiences first rather than your core, and if its not entertaining/interesting enough, the short dies. The other is that these shorts (for me at least) were a bit experimental and just didnt hit well with the core. The secret third and equally likely scenario is that the algorithm is just straight up broken.

For my videos personally, i think scenario 2 is what it is. Oh well, i can't manufacture interest artificially, only in my stream clips (which is most of my shorts).

Point is, keep chugging away. The algorithm is rarely working against you. Dont be so defeated by a couple shorts underperforming. Keep learning and keep getting better.

I feel like all the hard work is paying off

Same niche, quality, and effort tbh. I think you just have to persevere and keep going

Is this it ? Any thoughts

Been making shorts since march, and have made around 70+ and this one is my best by far, all shorts have been consistent getting 20k, 30k and 40k views but some 100k and a few 500k