this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2025
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And replace it with what?
Freetube, and what I use, Newpipe. There are better experiences out there. All one needs to do is search for them. Happy hunting.
Isn't that still using YouTube? Just a different interface.
Eh, I would argue you're only using the servers to access the content creators data. Youtube is the interface, algorithm, advertisement, comments, etc. If it's just the creators data being accessed with no additional contribution from youtube then I would just treat it as any ol' host server.
Pornhub?
You have a point it's a monopoly but most YouTube videos I watch now the creators are always suggesting viewing on patreon because of all the YouTube copyright stuff.
I've noticed quite a few have vanished from YouTube so maybe there's some signs YouTube is starting to get to annoying for creators.
I've never used Patreon, but are the videos not hosted there from YouTube?
Patreon has it's own internal hosting, yes. But is it still leaning on Azure/AWS? shrug Probably.
I think they can pretty much post whatever they want but I've never used it myself as it's all pay walled. But yeah I think reactors are all jumping over to it as it gets harder to post anything on YouTube without someone else trying to claim the ad money.
For watching YT videos: NewPipe or Tubular for phone app. FreeTube on Pc. Invidious in browser.
Just a few examples, there is loads more alternatives.
Including different platforms all together. Too much to choose from.
Butt stuff
At least use an adblocker
Literally any other form of entertainment.
Though the statement was to stop using it, not replace it.
Youtube is not just entertainment tho - the catch is that Google has way too much actually useful info hostage, like lectures, guides or documentaries.
It's somewhat of a catch, that's generally how monopolistic moats work but you really shouldn't be relying on google as a backup service for obscure videos you wish to keep.
I've no idea of the amount of lectures, guides, documentaries and other non-entertainment media that is available exclusively on youtube, but again it isn't an archiving service.
They can, will and have deleted whole channels for various reasons, most of which were bullshit, if you find something you absolutely have to keep, download it.
That being said, the process of downloading, archiving and curating content on anything more than a trivial scale can be much more involved than it seems, especially if you want backups/redundancy.
I've never been a big youtube user so my opinion on this is coloured by the fact that i don't have that much invested in the platform.
I am now downloading everything I personally need or like. Wish there was, say, a torrent index of Youtube videos)
Not sure how versed/willing you are to selfhost but I've heard good things about tube archivist.
There are also a bunch of ui's for yt-dlp, though i can't vouch for quality.
Neat finds) That was not my point though. I just use yt-dlp and don't feel the need to have a server for my multiple files. I just was wondering if I could help share the preserved content somewhere. I could just link to the torrents on my website, but that wouldn't be of much use because no one ever would think of searching there...
@EngineerGaming @Senal tbf a lot of the creators I watch on YouTube are now on nebula and/or patreon. I ought to explore alternatives.
True. But I am not even talking about dedicated content creators (for whom it is indeed an option!). I am talking about, say, an old laptop disassembly guide that a random master uploaded and just forgot about it. People not actively managing their content are not going to bother.
I use an alternative frontend for actually watching stuff, just google and find one with a public instance, no ads, can do pip on your phone for free
also easy to host for yourself
Touching grass
Many people responded with helpful advice. You decided to add rudeness to that. Why?
It was supposed to be a joke
Yes. A rude joke.
It's not that deep
Deez nutz