Is YouTube Burying Your Subscriptions With Its New TV Shorts Feed?

David

3 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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Is YouTube Burying Your Subscriptions with its New TV Shorts Feed?

YouTube's recent revamp, heavily promoting its Shorts format, has many users questioning whether their subscribed channels are getting lost in the algorithm. The increased prominence of the Shorts feed, particularly on the TV interface, raises concerns about discoverability for longer-form video content and the potential impact on smaller creators. Is YouTube prioritizing short-form video over its loyal subscriber base? Let's delve into the details.

The Rise of YouTube Shorts and its Impact on the User Experience

YouTube Shorts, designed to compete with TikTok, has seen explosive growth. This rapid expansion has led to a significant shift in the platform's algorithm and user interface. Many users report that the Shorts feed is now dominating their home page, pushing subscribed channels further down the list, making it harder to find new uploads from channels they actively follow. This is especially noticeable on smart TVs, where the Shorts feed often takes center stage.

The Concerns of Creators and Viewers:

This change has ignited considerable debate among both creators and viewers. Smaller YouTubers, who rely heavily on subscriber engagement, express fears about reduced visibility and potential loss of income. Viewers, meanwhile, are frustrated by the difficulty in finding content from their favorite channels, often having to manually search for them instead of relying on the suggested feed. The algorithm, seemingly designed to maximize views and engagement, now prioritizes the viral potential of Shorts over the established relationships between creators and their subscribers.

How the Algorithm Might Be Affecting Your Viewing Experience:

• Increased Shorts Prominence: The algorithm now prioritizes showcasing Shorts, often placing them at the top of the feed, regardless of your subscription status.
• Decreased Subscription Visibility: Consequently, videos from your subscribed channels might be buried beneath a seemingly endless stream of Shorts.
• Algorithmic Bias Towards Trending Content: YouTube's algorithm favors trending content, potentially overshadowing consistent uploads from channels you actively follow.
• Changes to the TV Interface: The impact is even more pronounced on smart TVs, where the Shorts feed is often the default landing page, making it harder to access your subscriptions.

What Can You Do?

While YouTube's algorithm is largely opaque, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the impact:

• Actively Search for Your Subscribed Channels: Instead of passively relying on the algorithm, actively search for your favorite channels to ensure you don't miss their uploads.
• Use the "Subscriptions" Tab: Remember that the "Subscriptions" tab still exists! This provides a more direct route to your subscribed channels, bypassing the algorithm's curated feed.
• Engage with Your Favorite Channels: Like, comment, and share videos from your favorite channels. This signals to the algorithm that you want to see more of their content.
• Provide Feedback to YouTube: Let YouTube know your concerns through their feedback channels. Your feedback might influence future algorithm adjustments.

The Future of YouTube and the Balance Between Shorts and Long-Form Content:

The long-term impact of YouTube's Shorts focus remains to be seen. While Shorts offer a dynamic and engaging format, the potential for alienating long-time users and creators is a significant concern. Finding a balance between promoting Shorts and maintaining a satisfying experience for subscribers will be crucial for YouTube's continued success. Only time will tell if YouTube can successfully navigate this delicate equilibrium. What are your experiences with the new YouTube interface? Share your thoughts in the comments below!