Presumably, the “algorithm” is based on whatever is most profitable. So probably some combination of most viewers, best ad engagement (click through rate), and best conversion/appeal to Premium subs.

That’s assuming YouTube’s primary goal is to make money, and which it should be as part of a publicly traded company.

My point is that those thumbnails and titles work, so if we want something different, we need to reward better thumbnails and titles and stop engaging w/ poor ones.

Exactly. Following the flow of traffic is more important than following posted speed limit signs, in both directions.

That sounds horrifying. :)

based on already getting downvoted

In this case, yes, but in general, downvotes just mean your take is unpopular. The downvotes could be from people who don’t like Tesla and see any defense of Tesla as worthy of downvotes.

So good on you for making the point that you believe in. It’s good to try to understand why something you wrote was downvoted instead of just knee-jerk assuming that it’s because it’s a “bad take.”

algorithm-driven platform

And what is this “algorithm” based on? Actual user behavior. So the way to correct an algorithm is to change actual user behavior, no?

Simplex is probably ready now. It’s self-hostable, and has strong encryption.