YouTube’s algorithm changes. These closely guarded methods of content curation benefit from their secrecy, but creators can benefit when they are keeping tabs on it. One of the YouTube algorithym’s recent pivots is that it favors (more frequently suggests) videos that exceed 40 minutes in length. This could be for a multitude of reasons, but it's reasonable to assume that as quarantine increased screen time, longer videos kept their users on the platform, so they tweaked their algorithm to favor longer videos.
Creators have adapted. As a consequence, we’ve seen a proliferation of longform digital video with increasingly distinct categories. This essay can be used as a tool for creators hoping to generate ideas on how their own content could adapt, or the kind of parents who want to make sure ‘nuzlockes’ aren’t on the FDA’s list of illicit substances.
Deep Dive
A straightforward and flexible category, Deep Dives are explorations on a topic that allow for perhaps fanatic passions to be expressed. Working under the title of Deep Dive allows the creator to hone in on specific elements of the given topic itself. It’s content ideal for an audience of fellow die hard fans. Like the phrase “deep cut”, the presented information should be new or often neglected to viewers who feel that they too are functionally experts. Presenting to these qualified viewers might feel intimidating. They will surely give their opinions in the comment section. But because they are familiar with the content already, you can get into specifics without wasting too much time recapping sophomoric details. Additionally, because you are investigating with passion, the passion reciprocated in the comment section can be helpful for getting the algorithm's attention.
Iceberg
A helpful parallel to the Deep Dive is the Iceberg. What makes Icebergs distinct is their structure. Icebergs use the image created by Ralph Clevenger and create tiers of depth, making a literal ‘tip of the iceberg’ which is then descended through a list of more and more obscure factoids.The Iceberg of a given topic are often pulled from other creators who publish their take on the image, but those creators should always be credited if you use their work. This practice allows multiple video creators to ‘react’ to the same image, and their shared audiences can enjoy their favorite creators offering differing takes on the same prompts. Because the Iceberg is split into tiers, creators have the option to make multiple videos with each layer receiving its own dedicated video. So Icebergs are not only a longform category, but the potential basis of a series/playlist.
Compilation
The most efficient of these longform categories is the Compilation. Television has traditionally referred to the concept as a 'clip show'. This format allows a creator to combine chunks of their content into one big video. That source content can even be still available on your page, and audiences will tolerate a Compilation version for the convenience of less frequent breaks for advertisements. The videos combined should have a transparent theme that connects them, like they’re all the videos from a given year and posted on New Years Eve, or it combines all videos that cover a specific category within your own content, like “All Videos About the MCU” or “All Videos About the DCEU”. Make clear to your audience that they are not watching the original videos, or they will be confused and at worst feel tricked. For that reason, it can be helpful to record new content that explains the following video is a Compilation, and maybe even add new content in between each segment of the Compilation to talk about how the upcoming content connects to the last.
Video Essay
Video Essays are similar to Deep Dives, but are distinguished by covering wider information as opposed to deeper. Video Essays are more amenable to academic audiences who appreciate structure and thorough annotation, so they lack the same explicit acceptance of fanaticism available in the Deep Dive. They’re more professional. Sources need to be cited, the ‘other side’ must be considered, and opinions must be qualified. Video Essays are very much essays. If a concept is addressed, the visual reference potential available in video must be utilized. Show and tell, tell and show. While research might seem exhausting, know that the effort will be appreciated in your final product. Furthermore, linking the resources you used can boost the traffic to and from your content if you cite them in your video’s Description.
Timeline
Timeline’s review the chronological history of a given topic, character, or series. While that might seem uninspired, because so many stories use flashbacks and flashforwards, oftentimes these videos present the order of events in a series that have never before been so plainly laid out. The research done on these videos can be conducted in a way to maximize utility- research Timelines for multiple topics at a time. For instance, because Donald Duck and Goofy share so much history, while you research Donald, keep any information that comes up about Goofy so you don’t have to backtrack should you decide to follow up your Donald video with a Goofy video.
Let’s review. Deep Dives are flexible, Icebergs are prepackaged structures, Compilations are efficient, Video Essays are thorough, and Timelines are concurrent. Consider which is ideal for you, but take a page from each.
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