SLOPTUBE - a shadiversity documentary

Released in 2025, this YouTube documentary by Shad M. Brooks critiques the evolving platform algorithms, content moderation policies, and monetization challenges that have hindered independent creators since the early 2010s. It details Shadiversity's journey from niche sword and fantasy analysis videos to broader cultural commentary, highlighting demonetizations, shadowbans, and viewership drops attributed to shifts in recommendation systems favoring mainstream content. Through data visualizations of channel analytics, comparisons to pre-2020 growth patterns, and interviews with fellow creators, it argues these changes prioritize advertiser-friendly material over diverse voices, urging viewers to support via alternative platforms and subscriptions for sustained independent production.