Why does YouTube allow ads from its competitor, Rumble? Here's a quick breakdown:
- YouTube's Policy: Rumble's ads adhere to YouTube's advertising guidelines, avoiding any direct rule violations.
- Competition Concerns: Blocking Rumble ads could be seen as anti-competitive behavior, which YouTube wants to avoid to maintain a fair public image.
- Financial Motives: Ads from Rumble generate revenue for YouTube, contributing to its profitability.
- Legal and Bias Avoidance: By accepting Rumble ads, YouTube sidesteps allegations of bias and legal challenges over stifling competition.
YouTube's ad policy has evolved to balance interests between creators, viewers, and advertisers, tightening regulations to prevent misuse while still aiming to be an inclusive platform. Rumble positions itself as a 'free speech' alternative to YouTube, attracting creators and viewers with its less restrictive content policies. This relationship between YouTube and Rumble raises questions about competition, content moderation, and the future dynamics of online video platforms.
Key Policy Milestones
YouTube has made a bunch of big changes to its ad rules over time, especially when things got tricky:
- In 2017, after some brands stopped advertising because their ads were showing next to bad content, YouTube made its ad rules stricter. This meant being tougher on hate speech and extreme stuff.
- Early in 2018, there was trouble with weird and disturbing videos aimed at kids. So, YouTube got stricter about who could make money from ads, which hurt a lot of smaller video makers.
- Later in 2018, YouTube added new tools to help advertisers know better where their ads would show up, aiming to make everyone feel safer about the content.
- In 2020, YouTube decided to be careful about ads on news about big events until the facts were clear. This was because of worries about wrong info spreading about COVID-19 and the US election.
These steps show YouTube trying to find a middle ground between making money and keeping ads away from sketchy content. But, these changes also made things harder for many people who make videos.
Balancing Interests
When YouTube updates its rules, it has to think about:
- Creator interests: New rules can hurt video makers by cutting their ad money or limiting ads on their content.
- User experience: If there are too many ads or if the rules favor advertisers too much, people watching videos might not be happy.
- Advertiser demands: Keeping advertisers feeling safe is key for YouTube to keep making money from ads.
Lately, YouTube has been more focused on keeping advertisers happy, even if it means some video makers and viewers might lose out. This is because deals with brands bring in most of the money. Still, if a lot of popular video makers leave, YouTube could have a problem.
As things keep changing, YouTube will have to keep adjusting its rules. It needs to make sure it's a place where video makers, viewers, and advertisers all want to be.
The Rise of Rumble
A 'Free Speech' Alternative
Rumble started in 2013 by Chris Pavlovski and Jared Mauch as a different place to watch and share videos, without the strict rules of YouTube. When YouTube started being strict with some video makers, especially those with conservative views, Rumble opened its doors wide, saying "everyone is welcome here." By the middle of 2021, Rumble had more than 1 million people making videos and 71 million people coming to watch every month. Big names like Donald Trump and rich guy Peter Thiel gave it their thumbs up. Rumble tells video makers they can make more money and won't have as many hoops to jump through.
But, Rumble has had a tough time making sure bad information doesn't spread. Even though they said no to mean words and threats in 2021, some people still say Rumble is a place where not-so-nice content lives.
Courting Controversy
In August 2022, Rumble let Andrew Tate, a kickboxer who got kicked off other platforms for saying mean things about women, join in. Some people didn't like this, but Rumble said kicking him off would make them just like the other big tech companies they're trying to be different from.
After this, some companies that put ads on Rumble stopped. Pavlovski, Rumble's boss, said they don't want to be the ones deciding who can say what. But, losing these ads makes it harder for Rumble to attract more video makers.
Rumble is trying to find the right balance between letting people say what they want and keeping the platform nice for everyone. Letting people say harmful things might scare away companies that want to put ads up, but being too strict might push away the people who like Rumble for being open. Right now, Rumble is getting attention for its debates, but if it wants to grow big and stay strong, it might need to think carefully about what "free speech" really means when running a business.
YouTube's Calculus on Rumble Ads
YouTube has to think carefully when it decides to show ads from Rumble, which is kind of like a rival playground for video creators. On one side, these ads bring in money. But, on the other side, YouTube might worry about giving a spotlight to a competitor that attracts creators who are tired of YouTube's strict rules. So, YouTube has to balance its need for money with how it wants to be seen.
Driving Ad Revenue
YouTube makes money by showing ads. It wants to show as many ads as it can because this means more cash. Even though Rumble is a competitor, the money from its ads is good for YouTube right now.
YouTube has been criticized before for being too picky about which ads it shows. By being more open and showing ads from different places, including Rumble, YouTube can make more money. As long as the ads from Rumble follow YouTube's rules, YouTube can say yes to them because it's important to make money for its owners.
Avoiding Allegations of Bias
By showing ads from Rumble, YouTube can also avoid some tricky situations. Rumble is popular with people who think big tech companies, like YouTube, don't treat conservative views fairly. If YouTube didn't show Rumble ads, some might say YouTube is being unfair or biased.
Also, if YouTube only said no to competitor ads, it could get in trouble for trying to keep others from doing well. By saying yes to Rumble ads, YouTube can show it's fair and not trying to block other companies.
There's also worry about the government stepping in if YouTube seems too controlling. Allowing ads from places like Rumble can help YouTube stay out of trouble by showing it's not trying to stop competition.
Impact on the Creator Ecosystem
User Reception
People who watch videos on YouTube might feel differently about seeing ads from Rumble. Some might like that it gives video makers more ways to earn money. But, others might not like it because they think Rumble doesn't control what's posted as strictly and might spread false or harmful stuff.
If we start seeing a lot more Rumble ads, some YouTube users might not be happy. They could worry that YouTube is helping Rumble make money, even though Rumble might allow content that YouTube usually wouldn't. This could make people think less of YouTube.
But, for most people watching videos, a few more ads from Rumble probably won't make a big difference. As long as these ads follow YouTube's rules, they'll just be like any other ad.
Knock-on Effects
If Rumble ads help it get more noticed and make more money, more video creators might start using Rumble too. This could make YouTube think about changing its rules to keep or bring back these creators.
But, if Rumble gets into more hot water because of what's posted there, YouTube might have to stop showing its ads. This could make things tense between YouTube and Rumble.
For video makers, having Rumble as an option might change where they decide to post their videos. They'll have to think about what's best for their image and where they can make the most money. Using both YouTube and Rumble might be a smart move.
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Recommendations
Actions for Creators
If you're someone who makes videos, here's what you can do about seeing more ads from Rumble on YouTube:
- Use an ad blocker: Tools like uBlock Origin can stop ads from any site. This way, you choose what ads you see.
- Know the rules: It's smart to know and follow the guidelines on any site where you post videos. This helps you avoid problems like losing ad money or getting your account in trouble.
- Spread out your videos: Sharing your videos on both YouTube and Rumble means you're not just stuck with one. If there's a problem on one site, your videos are still out there on the other.
For video makers, it's a good idea to connect with people on more than one site and create a friendly space, while paying attention to the rules of each site.
Opportunities for Alternative Platforms
Sites like TapeReal can stand out from YouTube, especially with the talk about Rumble ads:
- Let creators decide on ads: Let video makers have a say in what ads show up with their videos. This gives them more control.
- Be strict about bad content: Make advertisers feel safe by not allowing false information or harmful stuff.
- Help creators grow: Attract video makers by helping them naturally find more viewers who like their stuff, without relying on drama.
Sites like TapeReal can grab attention by giving users more power and making sure everyone feels safe and respected. Letting people tweak their settings and control what they see can help these platforms do well.
Conclusion
YouTube and Rumble have a tricky relationship. On one side, YouTube makes money by showing ads from Rumble, which is good for business. But on the other side, Rumble likes to stir things up, and that can make YouTube look bad. So, YouTube has to think hard about whether the money is worth the trouble.
Here's what's important to remember:
- YouTube earns money from showing Rumble's ads. If these ads follow YouTube's rules, it doesn't really matter where they come from.
- By letting Rumble's ads run, YouTube shows it's fair and not against competitors. This helps YouTube stay out of legal trouble and keeps everyone happy.
- However, if Rumble keeps causing a stir, YouTube might get criticized for helping them out. YouTube needs to balance making money with keeping a good image.
- For people who make videos, having Rumble around gives them more ways to make money. Being smart about using both YouTube and Rumble can be a good strategy.
- New platforms like TapeReal can attract video makers by letting them have more say over ads and by keeping a tight check on bad content. Being a safe and respectful place can make these platforms stand out.
In the end, it's all about the money. As long as Rumble's ads bring in cash without causing too much trouble, YouTube will probably keep showing them. But if people start seeing Rumble in a bad light, YouTube might think twice. For now, it looks like YouTube is choosing money over politics. But if being associated with Rumble starts to hurt YouTube's reputation, they might change their mind.
Related Questions
Does Rumble have ads like YouTube?
Yes, Rumble also shows ads, just like YouTube. Rumble is a place where people can upload and watch videos, and they use ads to make money. This means creators can earn from their videos, but Rumble's rules for what ads are okay are not as strict as YouTube's.
Why are there ads on Rumble now?
Rumble has started showing ads to make money. This money helps keep Rumble free for everyone to use and pays the people who make popular videos. If you don't like seeing ads, Rumble offers a paid version without them.
Why is my Rumble video ads free?
If you're not seeing ads on your Rumble video, it's probably because advertisers haven't chosen to put ads on it. Rumble lets you share your videos for free, even without ads. To have ads, your video needs to be watched a lot and be interesting to advertisers.
What does ad eligible on Rumble mean?
When a video on Rumble is called "ad eligible," it means it's okay for ads to be shown on it. To make money on Rumble, you need to sign up, upload your videos, and follow their rules. If your video is approved for ads, advertisers can start putting ads on it as more people watch.
