The Colin and Samir Show

The problem with copying on YouTube

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Feb 16, 2023
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ANECDOTE

Viral Short Copied Word For Word

  • Ryan Trahan discovered a creator with 13.5M subscribers copied his short almost word for word and even reused some shots and story beats.
  • The copied short earned millions of views and left Ryan feeling personally and professionally upset about his original idea being taken.
INSIGHT

Algorithmic Feedback Encourages Copying

  • Colin and Samir argue platform feedback loops reward direct copying because proven ideas show view metrics that creators chase.
  • The algorithmic reward makes copying low-risk and high-reward, so cultural pressure or platform changes are needed to alter behavior.
ADVICE

Learn By Stealing Then Evolve

  • Read Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist to understand where inspiration ends and plagiarism begins.
  • Reverse-engineer creators you admire to learn craft, then evolve your own voice rather than copying exactly.
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