So, you can sell YouTube channels...

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

I know that companies do this all the time after being bought or merged into something else (Rooster Teeth, Machinima and a few others come to mind), but I didn't know individuals were also allowed to do so and given the same freedom.

I learned about this the other day, when I had a "nostalgic pang" and decided to look up a channel I used to watch in childhood, finding it in name only.

Turns out that the guy I was there for all those years ago had effectively sold his channel at the peak of its popularity and then made a new one years later to continue posting silly videos at his own pace, which honestly feels like the dream.

Did you know this was possible? Would you do it?

 

[cornpops]

I imagine there's lots of things you can sell. Domains, twitter accounts, clicks.

But, does Google get their cut?

 

[DjQuick2008]

Near sure Brave Wilderness got handed over to the cameraman of that channel Coyote Peterson dosent do that channel now

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

I imagine there's lots of things you can sell. Domains, twitter accounts, clicks.

But, does Google get their cut?

I don't think they do — the guy posted a lengthy statement on his new one and basically declared it an 'agreement between individuals'.

 

[Frosy Frosy]

Who are you selling it to and why ? Strange concept to me, I am dumb however

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Who are you selling it to and why ? Strange concept to me, I am dumb however

Some people are, I guess to capitalize on all their hard work.

 

[cornpops]

why

A youtube channel is a giant mailing list that you don't need to ask people to sign up for because they already have.

 

[Aldia Aldia]

Patiently waiting for the Steam account market boom.

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

I'm pretty sure I've seen people selling game accounts before. Usually with some form of delisted digital game on the account.

People sell shiny Pokemon or specific Pokemon trades on eBay.

I don't know how it works exactly, but you can pay people to grind out platinum trophies or achievements for you.

I don't always think of some things as commodities, but I'm never too surprised to hear/see what some people are selling/buying.

 

[ArchienineArchienine's icon]

22Luika did it when creepypastas were popular back in mid-2010's so yes.

 

[vulonkaaz's iconvulonkaaz]

I've seen the kind of forums where websites/accounts/channels get sold I know it exist, haven't seen it happen with anything I actually watch tho

 

[kbcinharoxa kbcinharoxa]

I don’t understand the logic behind selling a YouTube channel or buying one. You either work hard or get lucky enough for the algorithm to recommend you to other people, and then you just sell all that effort away XD. But oh well, I guess I just don’t understand this whole channel buying and selling market.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

I don’t understand the logic behind selling a YouTube channel or buying one. You either work hard or get lucky enough for the algorithm to recommend you to other people, and then you just sell all that effort away XD. But oh well, I guess I just don’t understand this whole channel buying and selling market.

YouTube channels are money-makers, but also extremely high-maintenance because the algorithm rewards stuff like upload frequency, viewer engagement, watch time, etc.

Some people just get burned out and want to collect a paycheck rather than slaving themselves once a certain point is reached — it happened to channels that were still making "passive" money years after they had been abandoned by their owners.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

Godawful idea in the modern internet landscape

 

[Badseed Badseed]

All them views, likes, just paid for bots. Pay for the clout. Pay for fake viewers.
None of it's real anymore. Especially YT. Anything that is not AI is around 76%
bought. I have an inside track of info. on YT. But not gonna drop names.
Just keep the money train rollin.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

I'm pretty sure I've seen people selling game accounts before. Usually with some form of delisted digital game on the account.

People sell shiny Pokemon or specific Pokemon trades on eBay.

I don't know how it works exactly, but you can pay people to grind out platinum trophies or achievements for you.

I don't always think of some things as commodities, but I'm never too surprised to hear/see what some people are selling/buying.

Oh, man. Remember when people sold entire fucking phones because they had Flappy Bird on them after it got taken down from the Play Store?

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

Oh, man. Remember when people sold entire fucking phones because they had Flappy Bird on them after it got taken down from the Play Store?

I knew people sold their PS4 consoles with P.T. still installed, but I didn't know that one :O

 

[pinetreeneedle56]

I know private equity companies have been buying up tons of channels lately (like they are doing with literally everything that exists and brings value,) but I feel like 99% of people would be lying if they would say no to a stack of cash if it meant being able to live somewhat more comfortably