Support our non-partisan non-profit newsroom 💜 Donate now

Content creator economy is everywhere, but labor data and protections are sparse

Nov 9, 2023
The government has virtually no data on this mostly unregulated, $250 billion global industry, says Drew Harwell of The Washington Post.
"This is a market of millions of people around the world who work as creators or influencers," said Drew Harwell at The Washington Post.
Phillippe Lopez/AFP via Getty Images

There's a corner of the internet where YouTubers read strangers' obituaries. Why?

"It's quite a tasteless pursuit, but it seems as though it's a pursuit driven by desperation, like they are casting around looking for ways to make money online," WIRED reporter Kate Knibbs said of the YouTube obituary pirates.
Searching the name of a recently deceased person can bring up a flood of these YouTube obituary videos.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A Supreme Court case involving Google raises questions about how tech manages content

Feb 21, 2023
The case centers on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields tech platforms from legal liability over third-party content.
People wait outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday to listen to oral arguments in Gonzalez v. Google, a case that could force YouTube to invest more in content moderation.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

YouTube's automated copyright tool riles up musicians

Nov 4, 2022
Content ID determines when content is copyrighted and can divert payments to the rights holder. But few artists have access to the tool.
YouTube limits access to its copyright tool, Content ID, to about 9,000 movie studios, record labels and publishers.
-/AFP via Getty Images

Facebook, TikTok and YouTube ban Russian state media channels

Mar 1, 2022
The bans follow Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Social media platforms have often resisted calls to restrict controversial content.
A van owned by the RT broadcast network in Moscow. Social media platforms have banned content from Russian state-owned media channels, including RT, in Europe.
Mladen Antonov/AFP via Getty Images

Alphabet finally tells everyone how much YouTube pulls in

Feb 4, 2020
YouTube generated $5 billion dollars in the last three months and $15 billion over the year, around 10% of Alphabet’s total revenue.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

2020: Year of the pop star documentary

Jan 6, 2020
Platforms like Netflix, HBO and Amazon are competing with each other for celebrity life stories, at about $25 million a pop.
Rihanna reportedly signed a documentary rights deal with Amazon prime, for $25 million.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Regulators fine YouTube for collecting data and marketing to kids

Sep 5, 2019
Critics say the $170 million penalty will do little to change the video platform's behavior.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Not sure what to wear on your first day of school? YouTube influencers are happy to help.

Aug 16, 2019
Dozens of popular videos advise kids and teens who are eager to fit in. And those young influencers can make thousands of dollars.
First-day-of-school outfits can be a seriously big deal.
Fred Tanneau/AFP/Getty Images)