Sub 4 Sub and Blind Following Are the Same Problem

Sub 4 Sub is a plague infecting content creators from the earliest days. Blind following is a newer take on S4S considering the negative implications that term has received in recent years. Still, much like “course” and “master class” scams, those promoting S4S or blind follow prey on the new content creators that do not know better.

Why is this bad for your content though?

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Dead Internet Theory Evolved a Bit

The Dead Internet Theory states that there are far more bots involved with content consumption on the Internet. This is assisted by algorithms and such that control what users see.

This is true for everything online from Google search to Facebook to YouTube and TikTok.

Sub 4 Sub and Blind Follow works by confusing new users to think this is a real person they are following, and that real person will follow them back. That is the basic premise, but it is also where the lies start.

S4S also plays on the human urge, some would say addiction, to see that follower/subscriber/friend number go up. Only up, as much as possible.

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New Tricks, Same Results, Same Scam

Considering Sub 4 Sub has earned such a bad reputation, many content creators that are only after the number have evolved to using other tactics. I call it Blind Follow myself, but it is very similar to S4S at the end of the day.

Someone will make a post discussing following other small content creators and “showing support” for them. Sound familiar? The problem is this is a seriously bad idea.

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Why? Because of the algorithms that control what we see.

Over on Threads, there are many content creators stating their disdain for other content creators that do not participate in following other content creators, i.e., blind follow. They are mad that content creators are not following someone just because they are a small creator.

Now, keep in mind, platforms such as YouTube have rules against the whole blind follow and Sub 4 Sub tactic.

That is literally S4S with a guilt trip topping.

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Content Creation is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Creating content is hard, it is even harder when you create and see very little support. This is commonplace early in your career.

Those that you see, and think are an “overnight success” are not. Some have a huge following on another platform that they promoted to. Others worked hard to get where they are. Then there are the ones that bought their success (also illegal now, by law, in the United States).

Shortcuts are not going to make your content more popular or spread to more people.

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Many want to reach a milestone, let’s use YouTube as an example as they have theirs publicly available.

You need 4,000 watch hours in the last 365 days and 1,000 subscribers.

That is a goal for many because it is full monetization on YouTube.

The problem with S4S or blind follow is, those accounts are not going to help you reach your watch time. Only fulfill your subscriber count. There is no definitive information available that shows viewers will show more support to a channel because they have more subscribers.

Why S4S is a Worse Idea

As mentioned earlier, these platforms implement algorithms which dictate what we, as viewers, see.

One factor that is commonly used with these algorithms is interaction. A comment, a like, a share.

Think of the algorithm as a spiderweb. Everything is connected.

Photo by Anton Atanasov

Say you get in on a good S4S, if that even exists, and most of those new subscribers support your content with random interactions. You may be thinking, you made it, things are going to go great. Then why aren’t they?

Because of their followers. Everything is connected.

These platforms will show your content to those likely to enjoy it. That is their goal. The platform wants you to be entertained and to stay on the platform.

The algorithm is going to show your content to subscribers of subscribers that you have, working its way out on the spiderweb. When it hits a large enough group that do not interact with your content, the platform stops promoting your content.

Along with your subscribers and working out through theirs, your content will be put in front of non-subscribers to gauge their interest. This is likely where the algorithm decides if your content is going to go viral or not.

For proof, think about the last time you were on YouTube, TikTok, etc and scrolled for a long time without seeing anyone you are subscribed to.

Photo by Mido Makasardi

If you don’t like spiderwebs then we can use the marathon angle here too. Think about where you see the most fans in a marathon. The beginning and the end.

Where are they in the middle? There may be some but not many here and there. That is how being a content creator is. Early on, people will post they are going to start a YouTube channel, they share it everywhere and receive a ton of “support” and fanfare. Then nothing. They will share their content on those platforms and see nearly zero support.

But then they have that one piece go viral and everyone shows up celebrating. People you have never seen, and odds are will never see again. That is like finishing the race or a major portion of it, enjoy it while you can because before you know it, you will be back to very few people supporting you.

This is because you are chasing numbers, not creating real connections with people.

For every 2,500 to 5,000 subscribers on YouTube, you will probably have 3 to 5 hardcore, diehard, supporters that are there as often as they can be. I can almost guarantee none will be content creators themselves.

Why?

Because they are running their own marathon. They are doing what you are doing, they are trying to build a fanbase, support.

We all have the same 24 hours in a single day.

Having dead subscribers because you participated in Sub 4 Sub or followed just because they are a small creator too only hurts you in the long run.

If you don’t believe me, think as long as it takes about the last time you heard about a success story with a content creator. Did they mention success came from participating in a S4S pyramid scheme? Odds are no.

They usually state success came after tons of hard work and creating content even when no one was watching.

Keep that in mind next time you see someone post wanting Sub 4 Sub.