It’s YouTubers versus TikTokers right now

Mona & Sheetal

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Content to copyright to cyber bullying – the ongoing YouTubers versus TikTokers debate brings to the fore many pertinent points. One up on another or is it a platform choice that’s dividing content creators? It’s time for a quick recap as hashtags #TikTokVsYouTube, #RoastNahiFryKarunga, #justiceForCarryMinati and #BanTikTokIndia trend.

How it began…

Mumbai-based TikToker Amir Siddiqui in a video asked YouTubers not to look down upon TikTokers, while also making a veiled call for unity across platforms. The video, eventually removed for it was ‘spreading negativity’, got answered by popular YouTuber Carry Minati aka Ajey Nagar with a roast video of Amir! Netizens started taking sides and in no time #TikTokVsYouTube was trending.

But, the issue took a viral turn after Carry Minati’s video was taken down from YouTube and content creators stood in his support. So much so that Technical Guruji aka Gaurav Chaudhary, with 3.37 million subscribers, deleted TikTok from all his phones in a show of support. When the TikTok vs YouTube war escalated on May 16, singer Guru Randhawa posted, “This post is for @CarryMinati. You have done great in your career (sic) so far and you will do great always bro.” In the post thread he added, “And good luck to all Tiktok creators too. #hardwork.”

Clear support

Arun Prabhudesai, a YouTuber with 4.22 million subscribers on his tech channel TrakingTech, considers the entire hoopla is emotionally driven rather than being fact-based. “I am on both the platforms, but I will prefer YouTube any time as a viewer as well as content-creator,” says Arun explaining in detail his reasons. “TikTok has an extremely low barrier of entry; anyone can put up a short video in minutes, if not seconds. For the viewer too, these are addictive; just one swipe and you see the next video. Due to this, we also see high levels of superficial content on TikTok. On the other hand, YouTube has matured into a high quality video-streaming platform with strict content guidelines. Carry Minati’s was a roast video and language used in such videos sometimes crosses the line.”

Ever since the controversy erupted, he has got thousands of comments from followers to make a video in support of Carry Minati. “I surely feel overwhelmed by it. But I have to be honest with myself and my viewers. I think the Carry Minati’s video could have avoided foul language,” he says.

Comparison factor

While most YouTubers are vocal, TikTokers are rather defensive. An event manager and recent TikToker, Danny Singh feels Amir Siddiqui’s post was well-intentioned. “What Siddiqui said holds ground that YouTubers look down upon TikTokers.” He compares the two mediums to the telly and film industry.

“YouTube is like a long-running soap, one waits and waits for it to pick up; while TikTok is like a film – if it’s a hit, it’s a hit. TikTokers don’t have to go begging to be subscribed; a few seconds can make one

a hit.”

Danny too makes a case for clean language. “Carry Minati’s video shows his attitude and the language, whatever the platform, should avoid vulgarity.”