Forum Topics Started
Shorts algorithm tanked after posting 3x/day – what am I doing wrong?
Hey everyone, I've been posting Shorts for about 6 months now and was getting decent traction (50k-200k views per short). About two weeks ago I decided to ramp up my posting schedule from 1x/day to 3x/day to try to grow faster. Almost immediately, my views plummeted – now I'm lucky to get 2k views per short. My retention is still around 80-90% and my like/ratio is solid, so I'm confused. I've heard that posting more frequently can hurt your channel if the algorithm sees it as spam, but I've also seen big creators swear by 3-5 posts a day. I'm using the same editing style, same niche (tech tips), and I haven't changed my content quality. Could it be that the algorithm is punishing me for the sudden increase? Or is there something else I'm missing? Any advice would be appreciated! For context, I'm using YouTube Studio to schedule my Shorts at the same times each day (8am, 12pm, 6pm). I've also been checking my 'Audience retention' graph and it looks the same as before. I'm really frustrated because I was finally seeing growth, and now it feels like I've undone all that progress.
Best Mobile Editing Apps for Vertical Shorts in 2026?
Hey everyone! I've been editing vertical shorts for my YouTube channel and Instagram Reels, but I'm stuck on which mobile editing app to really commit to. I've tried CapCut, but the recent updates have made it feel a bit bloated with ads and some features are now behind a paywall. I'm also hearing a lot about VN Video Editor and the new DaVinci Resolve for iPad. My main needs are: precise cutting, easy keyframe animation, good text overlays with motion, and the ability to export in high quality without watermarks. I don't mind paying a one-time fee, but I hate subscriptions. What do you all recommend for a serious creator who wants to edit on the go? Also, any tips for syncing audio to beats on mobile? I'm currently using a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, if that matters.
How do I find reliable collab partners for YouTube without getting ghosted?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-collab-partners-studio-1785330799.jpg" alt="Two YouTube creators collaborating in a home studio with professional lighting and microphones" 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 growing my channel steadily (about 15k subs, tech reviews and tutorials) and I really want to start doing collaborations to cross-pollinate audiences. I've tried a few approaches: reaching out via DMs on Instagram, posting in a few Discord servers, and even using a collab matching site called CollabSpace. But the problem is, 80% of the time people either never reply after initial interest, or we plan something and they ghost me a week before recording. It's super frustrating and wastes a lot of time. I'm looking for a more reliable way to find serious creators who actually follow through. I'm open to using a dedicated platform or a specific strategy. What's working for you all in 2026? Any tips on vetting partners or setting up a solid first collab agreement? Thanks!
AdSense RPM Dropped After YouTube Update – Any Fixes?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-rpm-decline-dashboard-2026-1784401221.jpg" alt="YouTube Studio dashboard showing declining RPM graph on a monitor with coffee cup and keyboard" 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 running a gaming channel for about two years now, and my RPM has been relatively stable around $4.50. But ever since the latest YouTube algorithm update in early 2026, my RPM has plummeted to $2.80. I haven't changed my content style, and my views are actually up 10% month-over-month. I'm in the US, so location shouldn't be an issue. I've checked my AdSense dashboard and noticed that my CPM has dropped significantly, especially for mid-roll ads. I'm using standard ad placements with no skippable ads turned off. Is anyone else experiencing this? Could it be related to the new 'Creator Fund' changes that YouTube rolled out last quarter? I'm worried this might be a permanent shift.
YouTube Studio Analytics: How to interpret the 'Suggested videos' click-through rate drop?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-studio-suggested-ctr-drop-analysis-1784279058.jpg" alt="YouTube Studio analytics dashboard showing a drop in suggested videos click-through rate on a monitor with desk setup" 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 uploading consistently for about 6 months now, and my channel is starting to see some steady growth. However, I've noticed something odd in my YouTube Studio analytics over the last two weeks: my 'Suggested videos' click-through rate (CTR) has dropped from around 8% to under 3%, even though my overall impressions are going up. My browse features CTR is still solid at 5-6%, but the suggested traffic seems to be falling off a cliff. I've tried tweaking my thumbnails and titles, but nothing seems to bring it back. My content is mostly tech tutorials, and I'm using the standard 16:9 aspect ratio with clear text overlays. Could this be an algorithm shift, or is there something specific about how YouTube's suggested video algorithm weights thumbnails vs. topic relevance? Any tips on diagnosing this further in the analytics would be hugely appreciated!
Best OBS settings for 1080p60 live streaming with good quality and low latency?
Hey everyone, I've been streaming on Twitch for a few months now, mostly gaming content, and I'm struggling to find the right balance between video quality and stream latency. I'm using OBS Studio 30.2 on a PC with an RTX 4070 and a 1 Gbps fiber connection. I want to stream at 1080p60, but when I use the x264 encoder on 'slow' preset, the stream looks great but I get around 8-10 seconds of delay, which makes it hard to interact with chat. If I switch to NVENC, the latency drops to about 4-5 seconds, but the image gets blocky during fast motion, especially in FPS games. I've tried various bitrates from 6000 to 8000 kbps (Twitch's recommended max), but the blockiness persists. I've also looked into B-frames and look-ahead settings, but I'm not sure what values to use. My goal is to have a stream that looks clean at 1080p60 with under 3 seconds of latency. Does anyone have a proven OBS configuration for this? I'm open to using a different streaming platform if Twitch's limitations are the bottleneck, but I'd prefer to stick with Twitch for my existing audience.
Talking head video looks flat and lifeless – critique my lighting setup
Hey everyone, I've been making YouTube videos for about six months now, and I'm struggling to get my talking head shots to look professional. I'm using a Sony A6400 with a Sigma 16mm f/1.4 lens, and I have two Neewer 660 LED panels as my key and fill lights. I've tried placing them at 45 degrees on either side, but my face still looks flat and there's no depth. I also have a cheap RGB tube light for background accent, but it doesn't help much. I'm shooting in my home office with beige walls. Could you guys take a look at a recent clip and tell me what I'm doing wrong? I've attached a screenshot of my setup and a frame from the video. I'm aiming for that cinematic look like MKBHD or Peter McKinnon, where the subject pops from the background. Any advice on positioning, diffusion, or additional gear would be awesome. I'm on a budget, so I'd prefer to work with what I have if possible.
Replies Posted
Topic: Shorts algorithm tanked after posting 3x/day – what am I doing wrong?
"Thanks everyone for the tips! I think the issue was a combination of things – I was posting too aggressively and my audio was repetitive. I've scaled back to 2 posts a day, changed my hook sound, and ..."
Topic: How to find reliable collab partners for YouTube without getting ghosted?
"[QUOTE=vlogpro73]The problem is, every time I reach out to creators for a collab, they either don't respond or ghost me after initial interest.[/QUOTE] I feel your pain, man. Ghosting is the worst. F..."
Topic: Best Mobile Editing Apps for Vertical Shorts in 2026?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed replies! I ended up trying VN Video Editor based on your recommendations, and wow—it's exactly what I needed. The keyframe system is intuitive, and the beat markers sa..."
Topic: Best Way to Source Royalty-Free Music That Actually Fits Your Video's Mood
"Hey! Great question. I've been down this rabbit hole, and honestly, the best move is to invest in a subscription service like Epidemic Sound or Artlist. They're not free, but the quality is light-year..."
Topic: Shorts getting 0 views after algorithm change?
"Another possible culprit: your audio. If you're using any music from the YouTube Audio Library that has changed licensing, or if there's a copyright claim (even a silent one), the algorithm might supp..."
Topic: Best workflow for remote collab editing with proxy files?
"Hey @cutwave94, glad to hear the symbolic link trick worked out for you! I've been doing a similar collab setup for the past year, and I've found a few more refinements since that initial thread. One ..."
Topic: How do I find reliable collab partners for YouTube without getting ghosted?
"Thanks everyone, these are gold. I just set up a CollabConnect account and already found 2 tech channels in my niche. The Zoom call tip from @editormaster41 is brilliant—I'll use that. Also, @focushub..."
Topic: My Shorts are Stuck at 200-300 Views – Can You Spot What's Wrong?
"Great to hear the update, @studiocore30! That 1.2k views in 4 hours is a solid sign the algorithm is finally testing your content on a wider pool. One thing I'd add now that you've broken past the ini..."
Topic: TikTok algorithm 2026: How to break out of 500-view jail on a new account?
"I feel your pain, man. The 500-view jail is real, especially on new accounts. A few things that helped me after months of testing: 1. **Posting frequency**: 2-3 times a day might be too much for a br..."
Topic: Hey everyone! New creator from Berlin looking to connect and learn
"Hey @vlogwave41, welcome to ShortVi! Great to have another creator from Berlin here. First off, congrats on the 12k subs — that's no small feat. Your retention issue is super common, especially for tr..."
Topic: Anyone else feeling the burnout from constant content creation?
"[QUOTE=focuswave46]I love making videos, but the pressure to keep up with the algorithm, respond to every comment, and constantly improve quality is taking a toll.[/QUOTE] Man, I feel this in my bone..."
Topic: How to Handle Copyright Claims on YouTube Without Getting a Strike?
"Great points so far. I want to emphasize the difference between claims and strikes because it's crucial. A copyright claim (from Content ID or manual) simply means the claimant can monetize your video..."
Topic: How to negotiate better CPM rates with brands as a mid-tier creator?
"Solid advice from @soundwave99. I'd add that you should leverage your niche to your advantage. Tech audiences are highly sought after because they convert well. When negotiating, emphasize your audien..."
Topic: How to set fair rates for corporate video gigs without underselling yourself?
"Solid advice from @cliphustler93. I'd add that you should absolutely avoid per-minute rates for corporate—they'll nickel-and-dime you on revisions. Instead, use a value-based pricing model. For a 3-mi..."
Topic: AdSense RPM Dropped After YouTube Update – Any Fixes?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed responses! I tried @lenswizard95's suggestion about the Ad Serving optimization and set a floor CPM of $4.00. After 72 hours, my RPM has climbed back to $4.20. I also ..."
Topic: How do you handle scope creep with clients who keep asking for 'just one more edit'?
"All great advice. I want to add a psychological trick: never call them 'revisions' in conversation. Call them 'additional edit passes.' It sounds more technical and valuable. Also, when a client asks ..."
Topic: AdSense RPM dropped 60% after 2026 algorithm update – anyone else?
"Real talk: the 2026 AdSense restructure is brutal for mid-tier channels. I'm at 2.3M subs (educational content) and my RPM dropped from $3.80 to $1.40. But I found a workaround – the 'Super Thanks' an..."
Topic: YouTube Studio Analytics: How to interpret the 'Suggested videos' click-through rate drop?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed advice! I checked my analytics and found exactly what @vibeexpert14 mentioned: my unique viewers for suggested traffic had spiked while average view duration dropped. ..."
Topic: Talking head video looks flat and lifeless – critique my lighting setup
"Thank you all so much for the detailed advice! @soundpro78, I moved my key light up and to the left, dimmed the fill to 40%, and added a white bedsheet as diffusion. @vlogguru97, I moved my desk 4 fee..."
Topic: Best OBS settings for 1080p60 live streaming with good quality and low latency?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed responses! I tried @directorflow93's suggestion of NVENC with Look-ahead and Psycho Visual Tuning, and @cutzone37's advice to use 'P4: Medium' preset. I also switched ..."
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