I’ve been thinking a lot about YouTube lately and wanted to get some real, experience-based opinions from people here.
With how crowded YouTube feels now — tons of creators, Shorts everywhere, algorithms changing all the time — I’m honestly unsure if starting (or restarting) a channel in 2026 is still a smart move. On one hand, people say good content always wins. On the other, it feels like you need insane consistency, editing skills, and luck just to get noticed.
For those of you who actively run channels or have tried in the past:
Do you think YouTube still offers real growth opportunities for new creators?
Has Shorts helped or hurt long-form content in your experience?
Would you focus on a niche channel, personal brand, or something else entirely today?
Not looking for “guru” answers — more interested in honest experiences, wins, failures, and lessons learned. Curious to hear how others here see the platform right now.
Avasin Clair
1 hour ago