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_richard
Associate III
August 15, 2025
Question

youtube kills productivity, use a good solution (instead)

  • August 15, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 1112 views

i would recommend to offer an alternative to youtube at least for workshop/learning videos

youtube disrupts the video every few minutes and kills productivity/focus

my impression is that youtube places advertisements often when in the video an important point is announced / stressed. this really makes the learning content overall bad.

 

there are alternatives to youtube that offer further advantages, like (probably most well known) vimeo.

another option would be to offer the videos for direct download (also better for train rides, ....).

 

if there is an important reason for using youtube it is OK to use it also, but a good quality option should come first.

further youtube is blocked in some countries, relying on youtube keeps some potential customers away. the following picture shows the aspect not totally accurate (yt is not blocked in germany as i can confirm - another example for google quality ...)

_richard_0-1755294336572.png

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

4 replies

AScha.3
Super User
August 16, 2025

>youtube disrupts the video every few minutes 

btw,

So you have no ad-blocker running; using an ad-blocker might be a problem with  YouTube's Terms of Service .

This issue is currently under review by the Data Protection Commission in Ireland.

+

For me : i prefer a step by step tutorial, so almost never using videos (except : if there is no other source...).

Just like this:

https://stefanfrings.de/stm32/stm32f3.html

 

"If you feel a post has answered your question, please click ""Accept as Solution""."
_richard
_richardAuthor
Associate III
August 16, 2025

well, one can do that and as a software developer i know about these things. 

but i prefer to a) not always cut corners for my benefit and b) take action to make the world a better place. at the end quality has to be paid - we all work for money - and it has not to be super expensive (vimeo pricing looks ok).

 

 

TDK
Super User
August 16, 2025

This is silly. People searching for STM32 learning materials are much more likely to look on Youtube than some other niche video provider. There are numerous options to get rid of ads on Youtube, several legitimate.

"If you feel a post has answered your question, please click ""Accept as Solution""."
_richard
_richardAuthor
Associate III
August 17, 2025

@TDK so few words, so many errors.

a) st provides links to their documentation including videos in 

  • post webinar mailings 
  • their wiki
  • their blog posts
  • their websit

this is the same for some distributors, many commercial and privat blogs and electronics related websites. i don't know anyone with some experience and competence who limits his / her information search only on youtube. you are fine to do so but it is wrong to assume that practice for "People searching for STM32 learning materials" in general.

b) Further you promote stealing and corner cutting by breaking laws and neglecting terms of service, what is also wrong to do in general and also based on https://community.st.com/t5/community-guidelines/st-community-terms-and-conditions/ta-p/575227.

Your dismissive stamtement "This is silly" is I) wrong as your substantion is flawed / wrong, see a) and b). 

 

Your dismissive stamtement "This is silly" is II) also wrong to write in this forum based on https://community.st.com/t5/community-guidelines/st-community-terms-and-conditions/ta-p/575227.

 

Based on I and II i will report your post to the forum admins.

 

I recommend to stick to sharing factual true and helpful information and no to promote illegal activities in an inacceptable tone.

 

 

  

  

  

  

 

Laurids_PETERSEN
Community Manager
August 18, 2025

Hi @_richard, many thanks for sharing your detailed feedback.

While it's true that YouTube has increased the frequency of ads, we recognize that YouTube is the most popular and accessible platform. As @TDK mentioned, we are aware that users prefer YouTube as one of their learning resources for ST-related products. Outside of our own content, there are many external channels sharing their insights and tutorials, especially regarding STM32. We want to be in that visible space to support users with our own content. 

Regarding the banned countries, the list that has been provided to you by the Google overview is inaccurate. It appears to include countries that have banned YouTube in the past for a certain period of time.

Thank you for bringing up the suggestion of an ad-free alternative, this is something I'll bring forward to the relevant teams for us to explore. 

Best regards,
Laurids

_richard
_richardAuthor
Associate III
August 18, 2025

Hi @Laurids_PETERSEN

  1. "YouTube is the most popular and accessible platform" - popular for me - not. accessible in terms of blocking, i doubt that, i assume that vimeo is less blocked, as other providers. Accessible in terms of usability: with all the disruptions definetly not.
    I would love to read a more elaborate statement on that from you.

  2. "banned countries" - yes, I think i made clear that the google provided list is "not totally accurate". The "Artificially Intelligent" result relies partly on trash info/extreme right propaganda (training data selected by Google) that don't like racist/facist/authoritarian content to be prosecuted.
    Anyway ST has to decide if it likes / supports that low quality environment (by driving users to it).

  3. "we are aware that users prefer YouTube" - I doubt that pereference and would like to see the numbers. For a preference there has to be a comparison. What are the other places where I can watch the ST content without yt?
    I would love to read a more elaborate statment on that from you.

  4. I initially wrote "if there is an important reason for using youtube it is OK to use it also, but a good quality option should come first." and stand to that.
    If some persons prefer interruptions, so be it. If some persons prefer cutting corners, i can't change that easily. Primarily I want to use a better solution than yt. And I hope you have success with bringing forward a "ad-free alternative, this is something I'll bring forward to the relevant teams for us to explore." 
Laurids_PETERSEN
Community Manager
August 18, 2025

Hi @_richard,

Thanks for getting back to me, your feedback is appreciated.

There are definitely pros/cons for different video platforms, some are subjective and ultimately depends on individual user preferences. While I cannot provide exact numbers, I can share that, based on our surveys, YouTube is frequently mentioned as a top platform where our customers and community members go to learn.

Best regards,
Laurids

 

March 29, 2026

YouTube can waste a lot of time, especially when short videos and recommendations keep pulling your attention. Many people open it for one video but end up watching for hours. This can reduce focus and delay important work or study.A simple solution is to stay in control of what you watch. Download only the videos you really need and watch them later without distractions. A helpful tool for this is Yolk Video App, It lets you quickly save videos or convert them to audio, so you can learn without ads or suggestions.You can also set time limits or use focus apps. Small changes like this can help you stay productive and manage your time better.