Is having YouTube comments worth it? Alternatives?

CrazyTeaParties

CrazyTeaParties

Member
I am not referring to all of YouTube comments as a whole, before I start.
Often, I've seen people being unable to create YouTube videos who would really love to and would be really good at it be stopped by the comments section. Whether it is first hand or second hand, someone major enough to stop an individual from creating and posting content has decided to do so due to the simple possibilities that could come with it (eg. hate, trolling).
I know it is more useful to have a comments section, but say it was between a comment section or no YouTube at all - is the comments on your own videos really worth it? Or can you be successful on YouTube without them? (I'm unsure if this is my situation at the moment, but I know others who have been affected by it - in terms of a strategy, what are your thoughts?) Also, there will still be the likes/dislikes bar, to display opinions. What would you do as an alternative to comments, if you feel you need one without the comment section on videos?
 
@JohnKenShow I agree with the point you are making, but do you think it is worth not being able to have a channel for? As in, you can have a channel but no comments, or no channel at all? Sorry it's a bit on the spot, but it's the situation I've seen a lot of people in, and was looking for some advice - what should you do about it?
 
If a person has enough time to hate/troll on YOUR videos, don't be discouraged. That most likely means they are jealous of you. Additionally, you get an extra view. The benefits of comments obviously override the cons of the comments section. Without comments, you don't have a true viewer base that can give you feedback, opinions, and feelings. Just my 2 cents.
 
@BhavJainMusic I agree with you. It's just a shame that often young creators, who are capable of being responsible about what they put online and are sensible, are unable to post their passion because some parents are scared "ooh a stranger might see you on the internet ooh no they might be nasty" - everyday when you go outside you come across strangers, who might be nasty people - does that mean we should all live our lives cooped up in our houses? I mean, I get their logic, even if I disagree strongly with it, but it's such a shame that some creators just can't 'create' because of other people making them unable to do so. Sorry for waffling on!
 
I know that Anita Sarkeesian had to turn off her comments because of awful harassment, and PewDiePie turned them off because he was getting so much spam.

I don't think that the comment section is essential to a channel - with so many other social media sites around, you can use Twitter etc. to talk to people and get feedback - so I'd never be put off using YouTube just because there weren't comments, and I can completely understand why some people don't want to enable them.

That being said, I love comments. My videos are very ideas-based (in-depth reviews of vinyl albums) so I love being able to read what other people think about the ideas I talk about, especially in a forum that makes it so easy to leave a comment and participate. It definitely fosters a sense of community for me, but again that might be because my videos are very discussion-based? I think some channels don't rely on discussion as much.
 
Don't consider this gospel by any means. This is simply what my research has turned up but it's not as if YouTube has come out and said this. Comments are part of the algorithm YouTube uses to determine wether or not they promote you.

In order of how I think (but again don't know for sure) YouTube weights the algorithm here are the things you need to do to see YouTube promote your video. I also don't know how much more weight they give to anyone factor than another.

1. Backlinks. E.g. someone else linking to your video.
2. G+1's/up votes down votes.
3. Social Network Shares - Facebook, twitter, etc
4. Retention time.
5. Subscriber Count
6. Comments
7. Views
8. Retention time on your other videos.

It's definitely biased towards the big channels because if you look at all of those factors channels with more subs are going to beat channels with smaller subs on all but points 4 and 8.

Also, those are just the factors I've heard about but YouTube is constantly changing the algorithm and trying new things.

Maybe TMI but definitely don't turn off comments because it's one of the thing I'm 99% sure YouTube is looking at.
 
Comments are my motivation on Youtube, I would never disable them. Plus, it just looks more appealing, a video without comments disabled.
 
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