Havest thou ever ventured to promote a YouTube video upon another social network, only to find thyself disheartened by the lackluster results? Then, dear reader, this experiment is tailored to thee.
In days of yore, the filmmakers of homely abode found simplicity in their craft. Though lacking the myriad filters and editing tools that grace our handheld devices today, their method of distribution was a straightforward affair. They would capture scenes of their youngling navigating a toy automobile into a shrubbery, then exhibit the footage on a VHS tape to any who chanced to stroll past their viewing contraption — targeted marketing in its purest form.
Yet in the present era, the options for disseminating home videos are copious to the point of bewilderment. Countless platforms now beckon for one’s original cinematic endeavors. One might opt to directly upload upon Facebook, craft a TikTok spectacle, share on LinkedIn, dispatch a Tweet, or fashion an Instagram Story. Alternatively, as many are wont to do: upload the creation unto Youtube and distribute the link across all social domains.
Does the method of sharing a Youtube link not seem logical? A singular URL, efficient and effective — the choice of filmmakers seeking vast audiences while guiding viewers to a singular source of content. But what thou desirest and what the social platforms demand are oft disparate, are they not?
There exists a supposition within the realm that social networks (predominantly Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter) favor posts employing their native video solutions. Whispers suggest that links leading to Youtube videos may even incur the ire of the algorithms of other social media platforms.
Henceforth, I clad myself in the armor of labor (read: sport my work sweatpants) and march bravely to the fray (that is, my personal social feeds) to witness firsthand (through scrutiny of mine social media analytics) whether Youtube links indeed endure reduced engagement compared to native posts. Fear not, for the journey continues.
Verily I say, the inscrutability of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and their ilk is not beguiling but vexing. Would they not deign to divulge their desires to us mere mortals?!
The algorithms of these platforms are fashioned to reward users abiding by certain behaviors. For instance, Facebook’s algorithm favors photo posts over text, while Instagram exhibits fondness towards Reels. Thus, it stands to reason that content contrary to their preferences, such as links directing to external video domains, may be shunned.
YouTube, an early pioneer of effortless video sharing founded in the bygone year of 2005 under the notion that “everyday folk would relish in sharing their domestic videos.” However, in this year of 2023, each social media platform offers avenues for video uploads and displays a voracious appetite for users’ content.
Thus, the theory positing that platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn may limit the reach of Youtube links when compared to content uploaded natively holds a modicum of logic. But logic does not equate to certainty. Thus, I shall gather data through various posts across different platforms to ascertain the veracity of this notion. Let the quest commence.
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