He has a patreon now but still no ads:
https://youtube.com/@primitivetechnology9550?si=lBWNPNLZowdKKR6i
Just a guy in the woods building shit from nothing, without tools. It kicked off a lot of similar channels that were obviously using tools.
this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2023
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Asklemmy
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I sort of like Mr. Chickadee for the same reason. No talking or flashy gimmicks, just hand tools and the sounds of nature.
If youβre at all into Minecraft, EthosLab is the gold standard for low-key, super interesting, and not driven by money videos. Heβs not small, but heβs worth mentioning in case anyone hasnβt heard of him.
Get your snacks!
His minecraft series is the longest series I've ever watched. I've been watching since the Chocolate Island and Sgt Spaz days. So good.
Absolutely agree. He's one of the channels I've watched for the longest. Been subscribed since probably 2011 or so. His videos are just so wholesome and it always makes my day when he uploads. Absolutely recommend if people are into minecraft survival content.
My channel is not very good π but I make videos just because I love talking about old video games and want an excuse to talk about them more. New videos come out every Tuesday and Saturday because that's when my co-host is off of work and can watch them with her mom. π
Nothing wrong with a little self promotion! I do enjoy channels like The Retro Future as well, I'm sure I'll enjoy yours as well.
All of them with sponsorblock, which you then whitelist based on tolerability and quality.
I find that most content producers don't really actually let the sponsors get in the way of content in any capacity other than quantity (as in they produce too much for the channel's good). There's a small number of exceptions, but those usually stink enough that you spot it a mile away, and most of them intentionally. This isn't TikTok or Insta, Creators actually do want you to know when they didn't make something out of their own accord.
Some try to be more subtle with their one-off events... And into the blacklist they go back when they do. Unfortunately one of those was Kurszgesagt a month ago, with their blatantly biased and fearmongering video on Bioweapons, which was largely based on one non-scientific source. Funny enough, they did seem to a leave a hard to notice hint that the video was off, I mean, aside from the content. The hint was that: The video had no birds. You know, their mascots.
Them being sponsored is not the issue here, contrary to popular belief, you can actually be sponsored AND unbiased. But listen to many different creators and you'll notice a trend in burnout, chasing the next viral video, having to meet deadlines for sponsors, etc. All these things can and will deteriorate the viewing experience.
I follow plenty of creators, doing so full-time and only with the support of their fans, it's a well thought out, proven system and it works. Almost all of them started before any monetisation was possible as well. It's amazing how something like that is even possible.
All that being said, there's a definite decline in passion and drive across the board. I still enjoy all the new produced content, but in the same way I enjoy a movie or TV show. Much less in a "we're a community of like minded people" kind of way.
My problem with sponsorship isn't about bias, it's about annoying sponsored segments.
Beau of the fifth column does 3-10 minute videos doing political analysis in what looks like a garage.
He said on a longer FAQ video that he's set things up to hide his channel's income from himself. He draws a salary that's enough to take care of his family, but he doesn't know how much more the channel earns -- he doesn't want his content to be influenced even unconsciously by which videos The Algorithm say paid better.
Hbomberguy and MattKC come to mind for me. Also, but this is very niche, most of the Brickfilming scene still feels this way, there's just no money to be made in there.
Beau Miles. Makes beautiful little documentaries voiced over with his beautiful Australian accent.
Amazing suggestion, what a gem
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Cody's Lab. He's been on YouTube for a very long time, never seen him have ads or do sponsors or anything. He also frequently gets screwed over by YouTube due to his content (lots of chemistry) but has always managed to keep making videos.
Yes. He said youtube hasnβt paid him in a very long time
Big fan as well!
I'm not sure all of these are really small content creators and completely sponsor free but here it is:
YT channel on STEM and making sciency stuff: https://youtube.com/@TechIngredients?si=ic6g-uCLEWXO4DWu
Random technical stuff : https://youtube.com/@TechnologyConnections?si=sz-Gwfgo0gMN3vOG
All things space genuine expert: https://youtube.com/@scottmanley?si=MzE-v1thBOwrvmBf
Great computer stuff: https://youtube.com/@Computerphile?si=S2Ju7aLhViNw5sd8
Not so unnecessary inventions: https://youtube.com/@UnnecessaryInventions?si=O9iy4OVVbhJj6-kE
Some scottish guy researching odd history stuff: https://youtube.com/@CalumRaasay?si=UqgnEsN0YkU7YZuR
This guy sounds ! https://youtube.com/@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER?si=9lN-vhpOO-twS6pi
Pretty random list, I just like very different kind of things :)
But I'd say most of the above are passionate people and mostly without ads or sponsors etc.
LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER is honestly one of the best channels I've found this year, the guy's energy is amazing, and the journey of his organ is definitely worth watching. I'll check out the other channels for sure!
I mainly make game reviews and I often get comments shocked at how I only have 600 subs, so go check me out if you have the time. I just made an hour long video about Pokemon Crystal a few weeks ago lol.
I do appreciate creators who do their own content despite being keenly aware of the algorithm.
Infrequent long-form content creators to check out:
Tom O'Regan: British(?) topical/interest reviews, personal recommendations include his Obra Dinn video, Sickest Chess Match, and The Biggest Mistake In Music History
B-Mask: I support him on Patreon so pardon the bias but he likes to take his time creating in-depth and clear retrospectives on topics he's interested in, managing to get you interested in The Fantastic Four, Jems, and 2000s video game trilogies. Not long form for the sake of $$$ but insightful analysis of the history, themes, and personal deconstruction of such topics.
Also check out Moth Light Media for evolutionary biology, and Lines in Motion for manga and art analysis.
More frequent but short form (under 4 minutes) creators to check out are few and wide, 5sf are back-ish but carrying the torch are:
CrackerMilk are a bunch of good aussie lads making short sketches for quick laughs, with excellent timing and shooting.
Valueselect is a personal fave where he was doing sketches a year or two ago but is experimenting with yt shorts quite well. The majority of his comedy surrealist/fantasy/80's styling music are absolute hits.
Hope these are good starting points, I found these guys from browsing similar threads.
I've got some, but they're not small.
There's callmekevin for game plays, but it's done in the worst way possible. (Rtgame, too. They're friends and have videos together)
Stephen tries' main channel. He does comedy sketches. But may not land as well if you're not from England.
And, one I haven't seen people mention, Kurzgesagt. Some people have issues from them for talking about things that may be influenced. And they've got big sponsors like Bill Gates. But, when you actually watch them, that whole kerfuffle just doesn't make sense because of what they talk about. They do educational videos, and their art style is the best I've honestly seen.
Project Farm is probably the foremost tool/gear testing and review channel. No sponsors, he always buys what he tests with his own money, and all of the testing ideas come from the community. This dude is one of the hardest working content creators and makes great videos that serve a valuable purpose.
Can't recommend Posy enough https://youtube.com/@PosyMusic?si=Ea2_2-mgE_58dvKa
His style is /amazing/. Beautiful images and music with soothing voice over
A cool starting video would be this one: https://youtu.be/eGQQWIbD-nM?si=0AqB6o4T09wza9vf
Physics Videos by Eugene Khutoryansky
Not really a small YouTuber with just under 1 mill subs, but he's a good example of someone just doing their own thing. Super bizarre videos, but incredibly well made at the same time.
Away from the edutainment and tech based stuff, I like Decino. Just a guy that really likes playing old school Doom. He doesn't do the whole exaggerated reactions or yelling or anything like that and I don't think I've ever heard him plug any kind of sponsor or product. It's great to put on in the background or just watch casually if you're into it