Why I Quit YouTube as a Creator

Let me start by saying this: I really do like YouTube.
There are many YouTubers I admire, and I enjoy watching their content every day.

That said, I gradually came to realize that continuing on the platform as a creator just wasn’t sustainable for me.

1. A Mismatch with the Guidelines

My content focused on sexual wellness and entertainment designed for adult women.
Even when I chose my words carefully, it was difficult to avoid certain mature topics altogether. I did everything I could to stay within the platform’s community guidelines—refining language, trimming expression, layering metaphors—almost like trying to “outsmart the algorithm.”

Honestly, I got tired.
It stopped feeling like creative work and started to feel like a battle of semantics against censorship.
And that meant drifting further and further from what I truly wanted to share.
At some point, it just didn’t feel meaningful anymore.

2. The Rise of Content that Pushes the Line

Ironically, YouTube today is filled with videos that flirt with or outright lean toward sexually suggestive content.
From clickbait thumbnails to cheeky language games, creators find clever ways to sidestep the guidelines while freely discussing adult topics.

Some popular YouTubers—regardless of gender—go as far as sharing explicit details of their sex lives.
Of course, many viewers are curious about the private stories of creators they like.

But…

The innuendo and wordplay may fly under the radar, especially in English. Still, some of it feels incredibly vulgar.

Is this really allowed?
Weren’t these kinds of topics originally against the platform rules?

It’s exhausting to be bombarded by provocative content in what’s supposed to be a “public living room” space.

I genuinely believe that adult content deserves a place—but not necessarily here.
There are plenty of adult-oriented platforms where such discussions are welcomed and contextualized.

By using someone else’s carefully maintained platform to push the limits, these creators are, in a way, disrespecting both the audience and the system that supports them.
It’s like using a karaoke booth as a love hotel—it pollutes the safe space and invites more restriction for everyone.

3. When Monetization Prioritizes Shock Over Quality

The ability to earn income through content is a wonderful thing.
But it’s led to a world where whoever gets noticed wins, and going viral is everything.

We now see a flood of sensationalized content: exaggerated thumbnails, misleading warnings, overblown “cautionary tales.”
These tactics are undeniably effective at grabbing attention.

Still, that doesn’t justify irresponsible content.

Rather than shy away from monetization, why not invest in producing high-quality content with genuine value?
Shouldn’t that be the goal?

This is especially true in sensitive areas like beauty, health, or sexual wellness.
It’s precisely because these themes are so delicate that they need to be treated with care—not just manipulated for views.

4. Riding on Other People’s Names and Shame

Lately, I’ve seen far too many videos exploiting celebrity scandals or public mistakes.
Creators often criticize or mock people they don’t actually know, without verifying facts or context.

To me, that borders on public bullying.
Just because you haven’t been sued for defamation doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. There should be a moral line we don’t cross as people.

Worse yet, videos featuring celebrity names or current events tend to get algorithmic boosts, meaning even viewers with no interest in the topic are forced to see them.
The fact that mockery gets rewarded is deeply disheartening.

Then there’s the casual reuse of footage pulled from other sources.
Sure, it’s easy—but that laziness erodes trust. It’s not what the platform was made for.

YouTube is supposed to be a space for individuals to upload and share their own videos.
Sometimes I find myself thinking, Why did you want to become a YouTuber in the first place?

(In Japan, unauthorized re-uploads are a criminal offense. It’s not just theft—it’s profiting from theft. That’s a whole different level of wrong.)

5. What Happened to Originality?

YouTube once felt revolutionary—a place where anyone could share their ideas freely.

Now, it seems like edited clips from old content, fan works, or analysis videos perform better than true originals.
As a viewer, it’s only natural to gravitate toward familiar names or topics—you can’t search for what you’ve never heard of.

Still, I can’t help but feel a bit of sadness.
Reinterpreting someone else’s creation often garners more attention than trying to make something new.

Maybe that’s just how it goes in any era. But to me, it feels like the platform is slowly drifting away from its original spirit.

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And So, I Logged Out—Quietly

I’m not trying to preach the “right” way to use YouTube.
But if I can’t express what I want to say in a way that feels true to me, then YouTube simply isn’t my platform anymore.

That’s all there is to it.

I still love YouTube.
There’s so much great content out there, and I’ll absolutely continue watching.

But as a creator, I’ve chosen a different path.

And that’s what this title really means.

Note: The creators mentioned in the article refer to ‘some creators’.