FramePro94
@framepro94
Joined: Apr 2024
Sydney
Forum Topics Started
Why Are My Shorts Stuck at 500 Views? Need Help With the Algorithm
Hey everyone! I've been posting daily Shorts for the past two months, but my views are stuck at around 500 per video. I'm using trending audio, keeping videos under 30 seconds, and posting at what I think are good times. I've checked my analytics, and my swipe-away rate is around 35%, and average watch percentage is 70%. Is there something wrong with my content or strategy? I've heard that the algorithm tests videos on a small audience first, but mine never seem to break out. Any advice would be appreciated!
Shorts algorithm tanked after switching to 4K – is it a coincidence?
I run a tech review channel and have been posting daily Shorts for the past 6 months. Everything was going great until last week when I upgraded my camera and started uploading 4K vertical videos (I render them in 4K, 2160x3840, 60fps). Almost immediately, my views dropped from an average of 50k per Short to under 2k. I haven't changed my titles, thumbnails (I know Shorts don't really use them), or posting time. I'm wondering if the algorithm is punishing the larger file size or if something else is going on. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there any data on whether 4K Shorts get less reach than 1080p?
TikTok 2026: Is the ‘Creator Rewards Program’ Actually Paying Out? My RPM is Dying
<img src="/uploads/tiktok-creator-rewards-rpm-decline-2026-1785099739.jpg" alt="TikTok Creator Rewards Program analytics dashboard showing declining RPM rate on laptop with smartphone nearby" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I’ve been grinding on TikTok for about two years now, posting daily vertical edits of cinematic B-roll and travel content. I hit 150k followers back in April 2025, and I was accepted into the Creator Rewards Program (the one that replaced the old Creativity Program). My first few months were solid—RPM was around $0.12–$0.15, and I was pulling in $400–$600 a month. But since August 2026, my RPM has tanked to like $0.03–$0.04, and my views have actually stayed consistent (around 500k–800k monthly). I’m still posting 60-second+ original content, no reposts, no low-effort slideshows. Is anyone else seeing this? Did TikTok change the payout algorithm again? I’m considering jumping ship to YouTube Shorts if this keeps up. Any insights or fixes?
Anyone Else's YouTube Studio Analytics Completely Broken After the Latest Update?
Hey everyone, I know this is off-topic but I'm losing my mind here. I'm a small gaming channel with about 12k subs, and after the YouTube Studio app updated last night on my iPhone 15 Pro, the real-time analytics dashboard is stuck showing 'No data available' for the past 24 hours. I've tried force-closing the app, restarting my phone, and even reinstalling the app. The web version on my desktop (Chrome, macOS 15.3) shows the same thing—just a blank graph where my live viewer count and recent views should be. Other sections like 'Content' and 'Comments' work fine. Has anyone else run into this? I'm worried it's a shadowban or something, but my latest video is still getting regular comments and likes, so I know people are watching. Could it be related to the new 'Insights' tab they rolled out last week? I noticed the URL changed from /analytics to /studio/reports when I'm on desktop. Any fix would be massively appreciated before I lose more sleep over this.
Best OBS settings for 1080p60 live streaming with decent bitrate?
<img src="/uploads/obs-studio-settings-1080p60-streaming-setup-1784624472.jpg" alt="Streamer's desk with OBS Studio settings open on monitor for 1080p60 live streaming optimization" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I'm starting to get serious about live streaming on YouTube, mostly gaming and some vlogs. I'm using OBS Studio and my internet upload is around 12 Mbps. I want to stream at 1080p60 for a smooth look, but I'm worried about buffering for viewers. What encoder settings, bitrate, and keyframe interval should I use? Also, should I switch to NVENC or x264? My PC has an RTX 3060 and a Ryzen 5 5600X. Any advice on avoiding dropped frames would be awesome too.
Color grading LUTs look completely different on YouTube vs. Premiere – what am I missing?
<img src="/uploads/color-grading-lut-youtube-shift-premiere-pro-1784437399.jpg" alt="Video editor comparing color grade on calibrated monitor versus YouTube re-encoded version showing color shift issue" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I've been struggling with a really frustrating issue for the past few weeks. I'm editing a cinematic travel video in Premiere Pro 2025 (v25.1) on a calibrated ASUS ProArt PA32UCG monitor. I apply a custom LUT (from a popular creator pack) via a Lumetri Color adjustment layer, and the grade looks perfect in the Program Monitor – rich shadows, natural skin tones, just the mood I want. But when I export using the YouTube 2160p H.264 preset (VBR 2-pass, target 50 Mbps, max 65 Mbps) and upload to YouTube Studio, the colors shift dramatically. The shadows get crushed, highlights blow out, and skin tones turn slightly greenish. I've tested this with both Rec.709 and Rec.2020/HLG exports, and the problem persists. I'm not using any HDR metadata injection. Is this a known issue with YouTube's re-encoding or am I missing a crucial export setting? I've already disabled 'Maximum Render Quality' and tried different LUTs, but nothing fixes the shift.
Best gimbal for Sony A7S III run-and-gun documentary work in 2026?
<img src="/uploads/sony-a7s-iii-dji-rs4-pro-gimbal-documentary-1784351541.jpg" alt="Sony A7S III on DJI RS 4 Pro gimbal with Atomos Ninja V monitor in outdoor documentary setting" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I'm a documentary shooter who recently upgraded to the Sony A7S III. I'm looking for a gimbal that can handle run-and-gun scenarios—think walking through markets, following subjects in tight spaces, and quick transitions. I'm torn between the DJI RS 4 Pro and the Zhiyun Crane 4S. The RS 4 Pro's automated axis locks seem amazing for speed, but I've heard the Crane 4S has better payload for heavier lens setups like the 24-70 GM II. I also need something that won't fatigue my arms after a full day of shooting. I've read conflicting reports on battery life and stabilization smoothness when using the A7S III's IBIS in conjunction with the gimbal. Some say to turn off IBIS for best results, others say leave it on. What's the consensus in 2026? Also, any tips on balancing with a cage and an external monitor like the Atomos Ninja V? Budget is flexible under $1,000. Thanks in advance!
Struggling to Keep Viewers Past the First 30 Seconds – Script Feedback Needed
<img src="/uploads/youtube-retention-dropoff-script-hook-tips-1784286021.jpg" alt="YouTube retention graph showing viewer drop-off in first 30 seconds with scriptwriting notebook on desk" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I've been making documentary-style videos on YouTube for about six months now, but my retention analytics are brutal. The average view duration is around 2:30 on a 12-minute video, and the biggest drop-off happens in the first 30 seconds. I'm writing my scripts with a classic hook structure (start with a provocative question, then a quick context setup), but it's clearly not working. I think the problem might be that I'm spending too much time on setup before getting to the 'meat' of the story. For my latest video about a forgotten inventor, I started with a question like 'What if the most important invention of the 20th century was lost to history?' then gave a 20-second history lesson before introducing the inventor. Should I just jump straight into the inventor's story? Or is there a better way to structure the opening that's proven to work for longer-form content? I'd love to hear what's worked for you all in terms of script pacing and hook placement.
How do you stay motivated when your channel growth is flatlining?
I've been uploading consistently for about 8 months now, but my views have been stuck at around 200-300 per video for the past 3 months. I'm starting to feel really burned out because it feels like I'm putting in all this effort for nothing. I've tried different thumbnails, titles, and even changed up my content style slightly, but nothing seems to move the needle. How do you guys keep going when the algorithm just isn't pushing your stuff? I love making videos, but the lack of growth is really killing my motivation.
Replies Posted
Topic: Why Are My Shorts Stuck at 500 Views? Need Help With the Algorithm
"Thanks everyone for the insights! I'm going to rework my hooks, focus on quality over quantity, and try to get more shares. I'll report back in a week with my results. Appreciate the help!..."
Topic: Hi from a long-time lurker! Finally introducing myself & my gear setup
"Welcome to the community, @pixelflow28! That's a solid setup – the A7 IV is a beast for hybrid shooting. I'm also on Resolve Studio (since v18) and I can tell you, diving into ACES is a game-changer i..."
Topic: Shorts algorithm tanked after switching to 4K – is it a coincidence?
"Thanks everyone for the insights! I think the processing delay and buffer issue make a lot of sense. I'll try uploading my next few Shorts in 1080p (1080x1920, 10 Mbps) and see if that helps. I'll als..."
Topic: Best budget LED panel for talking head videos under $200?
"Hey, I know this thread is a few months old now, but I just wanted to chime in since I actually picked up the GVM 800D RGB after reading this and have been running it for about 60+ talking head videos..."
Topic: TikTok 2026: Is the ‘Creator Rewards Program’ Actually Paying Out? My RPM is Dying
"Thanks @directormaster69 and @pixelspark91! I checked my analytics after reading your posts—turns out 40% of my audience shifted to India and Brazil in the last three months. I also noticed my average..."
Topic: AdSense RPM tanked after algorithm update – anyone else seeing this?
"I've been through three algorithm updates since 2022. The pattern is always the same: RPM drops, panic ensues, then stabilizes after 6-8 weeks. But there's a hidden factor: YouTube is testing 'ad podd..."
Topic: How to use AI upscaling for old footage without losing quality in Premiere Pro 2026?
"[QUOTE=shortsmaster92]I've tried tweaking the 'Detail Preservation' slider and the 'AI Model' drop-down (set to 'General' vs 'Face Priority'), but nothing seems to work perfectly.[/QUOTE] Hey! I've b..."
Topic: Hey everyone! New creator from Berlin looking to connect and learn
"[QUOTE=vlogwave41]I'm using a Sony ZV-E10 with the kit lens and editing in DaVinci Resolve 18.6.[/QUOTE] Hey @vlogwave41, the ZV-E10 is a solid cam, but that kit lens (16-50mm f/3.5-5.6) is really lim..."
Topic: How do you keep viewers hooked in the first 30 seconds without using clickbait?
"[QUOTE=videomaker56]I've tried starting with a bold statement or a question, but it feels forced.[/QUOTE] Hey! I think the key is to not just state something but to create a mini-scene. For example, ..."
Topic: Anyone Else's YouTube Studio Analytics Completely Broken After the Latest Update?
"Thanks @vlogmaker90 and @audioexpert32! You both nailed it. I tried the /beta URL trick and the real-time data popped right up. Also checked the per-video analytics as suggested—everything looks norma..."
Topic: Best OBS settings for 1080p60 live streaming with decent bitrate?
"Thanks everyone! I tested with your settings: NVENC, 7000 kbps, keyframe interval 2, and wired Ethernet. No dropped frames and viewers said it was smooth. I'll keep the 'Dynamic Bitrate' option enable..."
Topic: Anyone else feel like the algorithm is reading your mind?
"It's not just YouTube either. I noticed the same on TikTok and Instagram Reels. The moment I started adding more text overlays and kinetic typography to my videos, my For You feed became a wall of sim..."
Topic: Color grading LUTs look completely different on YouTube vs. Premiere – what am I missing?
"[QUOTE=directorwave67]I'd recommend setting your working color space to "Rec.709 Gamma 2.4" for standard SDR content.[/QUOTE] That totally did it! I switched the project color space to Rec.709 Gamma ..."
Topic: How to showcase my first short film on ShortVi without getting roasted?
"[QUOTE=zoomwizard38]Bad audio will get you roasted more than bad video. Trust me.[/QUOTE] 100% agree. Also, consider the thumbnail. For a portfolio showcase, a still from your film with a subtle 'Fee..."
Topic: Best gimbal for Sony A7S III run-and-gun documentary work in 2026?
"Thanks @soundpro78 and @editormaster41 for the detailed advice! I went with the DJI RS 4 Pro combo based on your recommendations—especially the auto-lock axes and the briefcase mode for tight spaces. ..."
Topic: Struggling to Keep Viewers Past the First 30 Seconds – Script Feedback Needed
"Thanks everyone, this is gold. I rewrote the first 60 seconds of my script based on your feedback. I started with that jarring detail from @pixelspark91's suggestion (the patent office rejection scene..."
Topic: How do you stay motivated when your channel growth is flatlining?
"[QUOTE=vlogmaker90]I'd recommend doing a deep dive on your retention graph in YouTube Studio.[/QUOTE] Thanks for the tip! I actually looked at my retention graph and realized my intros were way too l..."
Topic: YouTube CTR Dropping After Thumbnail Change – Algorithm Penalty or Viewer Fatigue?
"I’ve seen similar patterns on my own channel (gaming peripherals). The algorithm isn't 'punishing' you—it’s just optimizing for viewer satisfaction. When you changed thumbnails, you attracted a differ..."
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