Audio influencers on YouTube hiding comments from public view

I don’t agree with removing or restricting comments selectively- better to simply block them all. Regarding ocd Mikey, he’s not a reviewer and doesn’t claim to be. He’s a seller and makes that very clear. He’s upfront about his business. 

I actually learned a lot from MC, it’s too bad that he injected politics and especially some shakey COVID stuff into his posts (as a march 2020 adopter of the high test version, with permanent consequences, this bothered me a lot). I am not a Tekton guy, but he did offer some insight into turntables and vibration control especially. I will have to check out his YouTube channel.

Two thoughts:

1. YouTube is a for profit company, users naturally use their channel to profit themselves. They are not obligated to commit to free speech, although I would argue that if they can find a way to make that profitable over the long term, they should work towards that goal as that would ensure their business's longevity.

2. Internet culture has devolved into an ugly place where posters feel free to anonymously slag and troll as viciously as they feel entitled to, that said IMO policing one's comment section to dissuade the trolls is a very difficult exercise in walking fine lines, I don't envy anyone with a YouTube channel they are relying on to pay the bills.

I've never had any interest in those influencers type 

People can be horribly mean spirited and are capable of the worst kind of behavior when hiding, like cowards, behind the safety of their computers and phones. I saw an example of this on a Facebook post just a couple days ago where a well known speaker manufacturer innocently posted a picture of their product, on their own profile, inspiring a raving lunatic to come out of the woodwork with some inappropriate remarks of a homophobic nature. Not only should I be allowed to delete this type of comment, there ought to be a button I could press to flush the perpetrator into the local sewer system.

People want the freedoms to behave like scum without recourse. I don’t think so.

@rooze the issue that by flushing that perpetrator you would also be flushing well intended members with valid concerns. If you allow for the deletion of comments then posts will become homogenous and all favorable so what value does that provide when you are only displaying intentionally and artificially skewed commentary?

@carlos269 No. Well intentioned people with valid concerns have a place on public forums, people who spew vile rhetoric or simply can’t or won’t act decently, do not.

I know this is controversial, free speech and all that goes with it, but if I’m investing my time and energy into creating a channel, a community, or whatever it is, and someone just wants to burn it down by being deliberately disrespectful, disruptive, etc, then I should have the right to protect my space and remove them.

Of course if I overreach and start removing comments from people who just don’t agree with me, then I become the problem.

@rooze in the cases that I sided it was simply an “overreach and start removing comments from people who just don’t agree with me”.

@carlos269 The system is in place on YouTube to allow channel owners to remove comments and even ban the commenters if necessary. I’m arguing that the system needs to be there, to protect against people who can’t act decently. If the system is misused by the channel owner then that’s a problem, but it needs to be there.

If you want a quick example of what I’m referring to, go to Facebook and search for ‘Ohm Acoustics’, then look at the comments on their most recent post. As of 10:30 est 7/6/25 the comments are still there. Are you saying, that as the channel/page/group owner, I shouldn’t be allowed to remove that filth from my property? I doubt that’s what you’re saying. It’s an imperfect system, but other than disabling all comments, which defeats the objective of building a community, it’s all there is.

@rooze I’m in complete agreement with you.

I don’t see this as a free speech issue. There are plenty of other places for debates  where opposing views can be expressed. Why should Youtubers provide platforms for their critics?

How is this any different than audio rags giving positive reviews to advertisers? It's been going on for decades and this is the same thing in the virtual world.

@newton_john When there are valid comments to be made that don’t necessarily align with the channel’s owners message one typically goes to the comment section. If opposing views are not allowed then what is the value of the comments section other than to amplify what was stated in the video? To me, this makes the comments section of little to no value as I have already watched and heard the video. Opposing views can sometimes be insightful. On Amazon some of the low ratings comments can be very informative to prospective buyers. On YouTube audio wannabe influencer channels  the comments are just for sycophants.

@ozzy62 It is not any different. I have just never been one for acceptance of and conformity with norms that I don’t agree with, and like to voice my opinion.

It's funny that MC has been gone from this site for a while now, but apparently, still casts a large shadow. 😆

He was an interesting character, then a target...

He was not always well politely spoken and a bit harsh or dogmatical about his opinions but who is perfect ?

Hate is  meaningless...

I debated  against him and it was interesting...

I cannot say the same for most of those who hate him ...

Life is too short for hating especially the interesting character...

It’s funny that MC has been gone from this site for a while now, but apparently, still casts a large shadow. 😆

''then why bother having a comments section? ''

1: trying to make $$ from clicks, channel subscriptions and vendor contributions.

2: ego.

I won't try to guess which is the primary motivation.