Help What’s Going On with Aquascaping YouTube? Even the Big Channels Are Struggling…

[Jeff Miotke]

Lately (over the last year), I’ve been noticing something interesting (and maybe a little concerning) on YouTube — I am seeing fewer and fewer views and believe I have maxed out my ability to create high quality content. My suspicion is that I have hit the ceiling. I’ve noticed even the big aquascaping channels seem to be struggling to get views.

I’m talking about channels like Green Aqua, Juris Aquascaping, and MJ Aquascaping — creators with great content, production, and reputation. Their recent videos just aren’t pulling the same numbers they used to, and I’ve been wondering what that means for the hobby as a whole.

Is this just a YouTube algorithm thing, or is it something deeper?

• Has the core aquascaping audience hit a plateau?
• Are viewers getting a little burned out on the same types of scapes and builds?
• Or maybe people are just watching more short-form content now and skipping long videos?

Part of me wonders if this slowdown says something about where the hobby is headed. If fewer people are watching aquascaping videos, does that mean fewer new folks are getting inspired to try it? Or maybe the audience is just shifting — from learners to lifers who are already in it.

At the same time, it might not be all bad. The hobby’s probably maturing — people know what aquascaping is now. Maybe it’s just time for creators to experiment with new formats or more story-driven content instead of just “setup videos.”

What do you think?

• Are you still watching as much aquascaping YouTube as before?
• What kind of content grabs your attention lately?
• And if you’re a creator, how have your views or engagement been lately?

Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts on this one — feels like a real turning point for the community.

And I wanted to thank all of you for the support and feedback. It is heartwarming each and every time to see the core community show up! Grateful.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I’d be very curious to see if your observation of the downturn has been based on stats from 2020 up until now. A lot of these channels SURGED during COVID when people were looking for distractions while they were either out of work or stuck at home during their free time. I will admit I was an avid YouTube follower during this time, anxiously awaiting the next drop for something planted aquarium related.

But now with the hustle and bustle of life back to normal, my time to watch and keep up with video content has declined drastically.

It has nothing to do with your content Jeff, it’s all great stuff.

 

[Jeff Miotke]

I’d be very curious to see if your observation of the downturn has been based on stats from 2020 up until now. A lot of these channels SURGED during COVID when people were looking for distractions while they were either out of work or stuck at home during their free time. I will admit I was an avid YouTube follower during this time, anxiously awaiting the next drop for something planted aquarium related.

But now with the hustle and bustle of life back to normal, my time to watch and keep up with video content has declined drastically.

It has nothing to do with your content Jeff, it’s all great stuff.

Yea that is a great point. I’m looking over the past year. appreciate the kind words!

 

[Koan]

videos just aren’t pulling the same numbers they used to

I suspect ensh*ttification, intentional change of the algorithm. I look at almost nothing but aquascaping videos and yet new content never shows up in my feed instead lots of videos for creatine and random audio only self-help stuff

I suspect they're pushing the for-pay and dirt cheap auto-generated channels really hard and leaving the genuine creators in the dust.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Reviews, experiments, hacks & DIY, and step by step guides are what attracts me personally. Everyone is different though, some just like the cinematic stuff, but I think most of us prefer the educational content to further our own work.

 

[techman81]

I'll start by saying, I still live for the next video drop from you and the other 3 you mentioned plus ADA and George Farmer's videos.

For me, the initial driving factor for content I viewed, was learning. Over time though, you only need to see so many videos on how to plant, or what kinds of rocks or driftwood are best for aquascaping, etc. My interest now, is just watching others at work creating. I subscribe to the Bob Ross Joy of Painting channel not because I want to learn how to paint mountains, trees, and happy little clouds (I learned I had no talent for that decades ago), but because I just love watching and listening to him at work creating art.

So I guess if people aren't interested in just watching the art, they do get bored and move on. I'm weird (but might not be alone here though) in what my TV viewing habits are as well. I watch channels like Smithsonian, BBC America, and History Channel all the time even though I've seen nearly all the content there many times over.

 

[techman81]

I susp and intentional change of intentional change of the algorithm, I look at almost nothing but aquascaping videos and yet new content never shows up in my feed instead lots of videos for creatine and random audio only self-help stuff

I actually do seem to get a lot of videos in my feed related to the stuff I most watch and subscribe to.

 

[Kwyet]

Well, I used to watch a ton of aquarium-related YouTube. First I was learning the basics (and later unlearning some of this), and I was also just very entertained by it all because it was all new to me. I watched even more and set up a lot of tanks during COVID. Now I mostly just watch the stuff that I feel is the most reliable information and that speaks to particular topics/questions that I want to learn more about, so it’s more a matter of refining my selections rather than losing interest. I watch and enjoy all of your videos though. They’re great!

 

[gnatster]

When I jumped back into the hobby last spring, I watched all kinds of videos. Quickly winnowing down to those creators suited my vision of what I wanted a planted tank to look like. Over time, that group has shrunk. I'm now looking for more advanced material to try to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I would rather watch a 30-minute, detailed session on wrapping moss or trimming a plant grouping.

Jeff, I had no idea you had videos until I found one here. I've subscribed to dozens of channels at first, and I'm surprised the algorithm failed to populate with your videos. I do find them highly educational and enjoyable.

 

[GreggZ]

Jeff my guess is that it's just the way people get information today. This changes over time.

I personally don't subscribe to or watch any youtube videos.

That being said after reading your post I just went and watched a bunch of yours. Very well done and great content. Well worth the time spent viewing.

You want to hear something funny and also might illustrate the point. About 12 years ago I posted my first youtube video. Just on a whim not trying to attract viewers really just for people that I knew.

That video got 181k views. One I posted 8 years ago got 41K views. One I posted a year ago got 590 views. No K, just 590.

And I am by no means a creator. Just a guy out here posting a video of his tank from time to time.

So like I said it might just be that folks keep changing how/where they get information. And of course the attention span keeps getting shorter and shorter so lengthy detailed videos like yours take someone who is really interested in learning about the artistic side of hobby. And sadly that is likely a pretty small universe in the scheme of things.

 

[techman81]

@GreggZ has a good point about attention spans. I've posted 2 videos, one just over 3 minutes and the other just under 2 minutes. The 30 second short I posted, has over 20 times the views.

Overall Youtube viewership isn't an issue though, as Youtube is by a large margin, the most viewed streaming service and it's viewership numbers and ad revenue keep climbing.

 

[Kwyet]

I just find shorts annoying, lol! I also won’t watch the long, rambling livestreams. Somewhere between 5 min and 45 min is great.

 

[TheWetScape]

They changed something to the algorithm few months back, even some channels I’m subscribed too aren’t on my feed after that. I have to manually search it. Linus tech even had an episode where he talked about it. It’s something about how they count the views, I can’t remember exactly. I’ll see if I can find it and refresh my
Memory. I still watch all my aquascaping content daily lol

 

[TheWetScape]

YouTube creators report significant view drops following undisclosed algorithm changes

Data suggests platform implemented major modifications around August 13, impacting desktop traffic patterns while restricting content visibility through AI systems.

ppc.land

Found an article about it here

 

[techman81]

@Jeff Miotke , what we really need is a video of your very unique paludarium.

 

[Sulla]

Algos aside which can definitely have an effect, my issue is that too many YouTube videos are for beginners. Which is awesome - it was how I got educated on the topic watching many of creators you mentioned.
But at this stage selfishly I'd love more vids that go into the next level..advanced ferts, equipment etc...

I've been getting into the Tank Talk podcast recently. I think this might be the next wave of fish content - podcasts. Aren't many out there really.

 

[TheWetScape]

Algos aside which can definitely have an effect, my issue is that too many YouTube videos are for beginners. Which is awesome - it was how I got educated on the topic watching many of creators you mentioned.
But at this stage selfishly I'd love more vids that go into the next level..advanced ferts, equipment etc...

I've been getting into the Tank Talk podcast recently. I think this might be the next wave of fish content - podcasts. Aren't many out there really.

I have actually been watching it also! They have some really valuable information with the fish side of things and in general outside of creating the scapes. I wish Jeff senske was still doing his, I love just listening to the aquascape conversations on different topics at night before bed or with morning coffee (as my toddler allows lol)

 

[DutchMuch]

In recent times, I find myself reluctant to watch YouTube due to the overwhelming presence of advertisements. I am unable to endure even two minutes of ads, regardless of the length of the videos. I just work to much and the last thing I want to do when I finally sit down at home, is waste my time learning how XENA a new medication for midosymbriosis is gonna turn my life into a spectacular joyous embrace.

So I stay off the YouTube’s lol.

 

[Koan]

due to the overwhelming presence of advertisements

Right??

There's an awesome workaround to this on your phone or tablet:

1) Download the DuckDuckGo open-source privacy browser.

2) Open YouTube , find a video you want to watch

3) "share" the video, choose the 'More' options button



and "share" it over to the DuckDuckGo privacy browser





Et Voila no ads.


The video will now play ad free in a browser window. It's a feature designed specifically for this, in this open-source browser

Awesome for listening to Long format videos in the car and not having to deal with ads you can't skip

Works for everything but commercial movies, a few full length TV comedy specials that kind of thing

 

[gnatster]

due to the overwhelming presence of advertisements.

Adblock for Chrome on a PC. Haven't seen an ad in years.