General Discussion

thumbnail design drives views. links from other sites drives views. comments on those sites calling them out in an attempt to discourage views, drives views. the algorithm is like an all-seeing god, and it loooves engagement and controversy. many youtubers release videos with multiple different thumbnails to see which hits better and this is what wins. it's an effective technique to get these videos in front of eyes such as my elderly dad's, a centrist who could have easily slipped the other way.