There was a lot of talk today on how the platform YouTube has begun blocking people from accessing the content on its site if users have some kind of ad blocker installed on their computer. This technically means the company makes no money from its videos as a result and you can imagine they would want to put a stop to that. People weren’t very happy of course for those who normally try and skip every ad when they watch videos this way.
I do wonder if for these types of platform it’s better to implement policies like that or to find new ways to generate income. For example, since the platform relies on other people to create content for it what if they specifically open up businesses that help those content creators create additional streams of revenue? For example, helping people create merchandise and even shipping them? I could easily see that being a viable way to help people make more while not having to block people out with a focus on an advertisement business model.
I suppose one issue is the platform has become a bit too traditional where they focus on a select group of people to invest in which probably limits how many people will continue to dedicate to the platform as well in order to open up to a wider audience to be more open minded on how those viewers are willing to spend money to support their favorite creator. Some people hate ads but are willing to spend $10,000 in buying items through creatives they want to support as an example as crazy as that sounds. But you would never know that as a business If you say only focused on people who cater literally to children as an example. For a lot of people with digital businesses like this too I find nowadays they are treating ads more as a supplement versus the main income generating strategy.