3 Big Changes to YouTube in 2025, and more (BSP-419)

The podcast episode discusses three major updates coming to YouTube. First, YouTube is introducing Discord-like community tabs where users can post images and comments, raising concerns about content moderation and homepage clutter. Second, YouTube's new auto-dubbing feature uses AI to translate audio, but its artificial sound quality limits its usefulness, especially for audio-centric content. Lastly, YouTube is testing a voice reply feature for comments, enhancing personal interaction but needing text transcripts for accessibility. The host expresses skepticism about these changes, emphasizing potential downsides and their impact on creators' content and audience engagement.

• YouTube is updating the posts tab on channels to function more like a community tab, similar to Discord-like communities.
• The new feature allows not only the channel owner but anyone to post on this tab, which is a significant change from the past.
• This change introduces the ability for users to post images and GIFs, which raises concerns about potential spam and inappropriate content.

"YouTube is updating their posts tab on YouTube channels to be more of a community tab. What this means, not only the YouTube channel owner, not only the content creator, is going to be able to post to that tab now. Anybody is going to be able to post to this tab once it is fully rolled out and out of testing."

• The update enables broader community interaction but comes with challenges related to content moderation and maintaining quality.

"People can post images as well, and that always scares me because there are some terrible images out there. There are annoying GIFs; there are way too many memes."

• The inclusion of images and GIFs could lead to a proliferation of low-quality or inappropriate content, which could detract from the user experience.

• Posts from the community tab are being recommended on YouTube's homepage, which could lead to irrelevant or low-value content being promoted.
• There is a risk that users might misattribute posts to the channel owner, especially if the posts contain inaccurate or inappropriate information.

"This has been recommended on the front page of YouTube and that post is tied to your channel. I saw recommended posts over the last week from the Creator Insider channel from random people on YouTube that had just random GIFs."

• Recommending community posts on the homepage could confuse users about the source and credibility of the content.

"What happens when somebody posts something inappropriate? What happens when somebody posts inaccurate information? Then it's recommended, and somebody sees this is a post from podcastage or the Bandrew Says Podcast or Creator Insider."

• The potential for misinformation or harmful content to be associated with a channel's brand poses a significant reputational risk.

• The community tab could enhance engagement by allowing viewers to interact directly and share ideas, potentially leading to improved content based on audience feedback.
• However, the feature's impact on channel growth and performance remains uncertain.

"Do I think this will be good for creators? Maybe. If you don't have a community off of YouTube already that is developed and fully flourishing, this could be a good way to engage with people."

• While the feature may foster community growth and engagement, it could also lead to unwanted associations with random user posts.

"The primary one being random people's posts being associated with your channel, and if that post is inaccurate or inappropriate, that reflects very poorly on you."

• The risk of negative associations with user-generated content could outweigh the potential benefits of increased engagement.

• The inability to eliminate certain users from appearing in YouTube communities can lead to issues with inappropriate content.
• Users can change their channel names to inappropriate words, creating potential misunderstandings about channel endorsements.

"If somebody showed up there and they were a nefarious actor, they could change their name to whatever, including swear words and other very inappropriate words."

• Users can exploit the system to display inappropriate language, which might be mistakenly associated with the channel hosting the community.

• YouTube's auto-dubbing feature automatically generates dubbed audio tracks for videos, aiming to make content accessible to non-native speakers.
• The current iteration of auto-dubbing sounds artificial, which affects the quality and appeal of the content.

"Yes, I agree completely that sounds terrible. It sounds bad, it sounds artificial, but I still love it for certain channels."

• The feature is useful for information dissemination, especially for tech or solution videos, but not suitable for content where audio quality is crucial.

"For a channel like podcastage or any other channel that's similar to it where the audio that is recorded is paramount in importance, this feature is as good as useless."

• Auto-dubbing is beneficial for accessing information not available in multiple languages, particularly for obscure issues.

"Now you're going to easily be able to get the answer to your problem. I think that's where this will really benefit the access of information that is not available in every single language."

• The feature holds potential for future improvements, but currently lacks the ability to convey emotion effectively in dramatic content.

"For dramatic stuff, this is not going to be effective yet. Maybe in the future, the AI voice will be able to capture emotion, but for the time being, purely information videos is where I think this will shine."

• A new feature announced in the latest Creator Insider video, which is anticipated to bring exciting changes.
• The discussion on this topic was cut off in the transcript, indicating a transition to another topic.

• YouTube is testing a feature allowing creators to reply to comments with a voice message.
• This feature is limited to 30-second replies and is currently available to a small group of creators in the US.
• The feature aims to create more personal interactions between creators and their audience.

"We're experimenting with a feature that enables creators to reply to comments with their voice... while we gather feedback in the experiment phase, voice replies can only be left by creators on their own channel via main app on iOS."

• The feature is in a testing phase, limited to iOS and select creators, highlighting its experimental nature.

• The introduction of voice replies can make responses feel more personal and direct.

"I think this is really going to benefit those quick questions that you want to respond to but don't feel like typing. It's going to make those responses a bit more personal."

• Voice replies provide a personal touch, enhancing the perceived authenticity of creator responses.

• Text transcripts for voice replies are crucial for accessibility and searchability.
• Transcripts ensure information is accessible to those who cannot listen to audio.
• They also allow voice reply content to be searchable, improving long-term access.

"Adding a text transcript is very important and I hope they do that because that would be very beneficial for those two reasons and also query ability."

• Transcripts are essential for accessibility and making voice content searchable, enhancing the feature's utility.

• YouTube's development of new features is driven by profitability, not purely altruistic motives.
• Despite this, the features have the potential to benefit creators and enhance the platform.

"YouTube is not some wonderful company that just cares about each and every one of us... they are a corporation whose main goal is ensuring profitability and growing profitability."

• YouTube's primary goal is profitability, but the features they develop can still offer benefits to users.

• The platform's continuous development of features is seen as positive, even if driven by profit motives.

"It's awesome to see a platform that does continue to develop features even if it is to improve their bottom line because these features still do benefit us or at least have the potential to benefit us."

• Continuous feature development is beneficial to users, regardless of the company's underlying motives.

• The Shure PGA 181 is a small diaphragm side-address condenser microphone.
• It is priced at $100, with a bright sound but lacking in low-end robustness.
• The microphone is durable and utilitarian, suitable for various recording needs.

"I am on the Shure PGA 181... $100, bright, not super robust in the low end but it's fine, built like a tank, no resonance whatsoever, utilitarian $100 microphone."

• The Shure PGA 181 is highlighted for its durability and bright sound, despite some limitations in low-end response.

• Investing in a proper recording setup is preferable to relying on AI noise removal tools.
• Tools like the Elgato AI noise removal tool do not address the root cause of noise issues.
• Improving the recording environment is a more effective solution for noise management.

"I think the best course of action for noise removal is not using a plug-in but..."

• Proper recording environments and equipment are emphasized over software solutions for noise issues.

• The host discusses the importance of handling noise in audio recordings, emphasizing that his stance on this has been consistent over time.
• AI noise removal plugins like Elgato and Adobe Podcast AI, while effective at removing background noise, significantly alter the audio quality, which is not ideal for audio enthusiasts.
• For optimal audio quality, it's recommended to manage noise in the analog realm by turning off fans, air conditioning, and strategically placing microphones to minimize noise capture.
• Many people are content with AI solutions because they prioritize intelligibility over audio quality, allowing them to maintain background noise like air conditioning during recordings.

"Actually addressing the Noise Within the studio that is a position that I have had for a long time that has not changed and in the last episode I wasn't really clear about that when I was demoing the Elgato AI noise removal plug-in as suspected the AI noise removal is very destructive it Alters your audio significantly and I don't think it sounds great."

• The host reiterates his long-standing position on noise management, criticizing AI plugins for their destructive impact on audio quality.

"In reality for us audio enthusiasts for us who care a lot about getting the best sound quality as we can this isn't going to be good enough Adobe podcast AI or Elgato AI noise removal or the RTX Whatever video card noise removal none of it's going to be good enough."

• Audio enthusiasts are unlikely to find AI noise removal solutions satisfactory due to their negative impact on sound quality.

"I think to get the best audio quality manage the noise in the analog realm get the audio as good as you possibly can before you hit to record do not use one of these plugins unless it is the absolute Last Resort."

• The host advises managing noise before recording and using AI plugins only as a last resort due to their detrimental effects on audio quality.

• The podcast operates on a value for value model, meaning there are no ads or paywalls; the audience can support the podcast through time, talent, or treasure.
• Listeners can contribute financially through platforms like podcast.com support or YouTube's super thanks, or by sharing the podcast with others who may benefit from it.

"This is a v for v podcast what that means is I do not have ads I do not have a pay wall I just put the show out there and if you enjoy it you send that value back to me whether it be time Talent OR treasure."

• The host explains the value for value model, emphasizing the absence of ads and paywalls, and how listeners can support the podcast.

• The host acknowledges listener contributions and shares recommendations, such as the Valentine's Day horror film "Valentine" from 2001, appreciated for its slasher genre with a mystery element.
• Listener support is crucial for the podcast's continuation, covering costs like hosting and lighting.

"Henrique thank you very much for the two USD super thanks and thank you very much for the recommendation of Valentine which I already owned and it was sitting on my coffee table ready to be watched on Valentine's Day."

• The host expresses gratitude for listener contributions and recommendations, highlighting the importance of community support.

"It is thanks to both of them that this show is adree and running this week so thank you and leave a little thank you note to them."

• Listener contributions are essential for keeping the podcast ad-free and operational, and the host encourages appreciation for supporters.