Calling All Patrons! I need your feedback...

I will support with what ever you choose. I think you will have to monetize in order to get the needed exposure.

Jeff Larson

Option A... Its just assumed youtube videos will have ads these days. Though I have YouTube Red, so I don't see them anyways. You have my support on Patreon no matter what path you take on YouTube.

My support is not contingent on you having others. Do what you need to do to keep doing what you do.

Ads are a part of all "free" video content online - I'll support you on here :-)

Gordo

A) Doesn't matter, I will support anyway. Thanks for your openness!

B) I love your videos, and I'll watch no matter what.

Harvey

A) I'd still support here!

Worthikids

I've loved many of your videos and have always agonized about not being able to support you, I'm disabled and on a very fixed income. But once I saw this video I had to chip on. you're the reason I joined Patreon. Thank you for all your great content.

A) I wouldn't even notice Fran, do it.

Christopher Leech

B) I personally don't mind the ads at all, but i I really hate to see you having to do something you don't like (so rather B than A)

I really don't mind it if you monetize! Reversing the decline from YouTube's algorithm combined with extra income for you sounds like a win-win. I'd stick around and keep enjoying your content either way.

I will support any decision you make. It's not possible for me to fully appreciate your situation including what options you may or may not have, so it's not for me to suggest one choice or the other.

Steven Knudsen

A. Google is a for profit business and has no interest in providing meaningful video distribution for free (even when you create the content). Monetize and move on

B. Its your decision. You can't stop the marketing monster. Value you channel very much.

William E Lee

Fran, I hate advertising on YouTube and that's why I embraced YouTube Premium when it finally came to Germany. But even if that didn't happen, I would be willing to watch or skip ads if your channel could thrive. So my answer is definitively A (not B). I even came here yesterday to become a (small) patron.

A, for sure. The joy that your efforts bring to you and your viewers is all that matters in the end, so I'll support whatever decision you have to make to keep you going. Also, while it seems that most/all of us feel the same way, it means a lot that you're taking the time to check in before making a decision. YouTube could learn a lot from you.

I would say B) I will still support you. No one has as unique a channel as yours. The amount of eccentricity you bring to your subject in each video is great keep doing more!

Bart de Boisblanc

I don't see the ads since I have YouTube Premium. Do what you have to, I'm not going anywhere.

I don't really have an opinion. I pay YouTube to not have ads, so it would not effect me personally. My guess is that people who don't do the same are ok with ads and would realize that that is what enables content creators to produce videos.

I'm a child of the 60's. We all sold out. Some for better some for worse. Not for me but for those who are in charge MAMMON is God. So, unfortunately those of us with ethics have to suffer. Don't give up however, to perserve yourself and to keep entertaining us go ahead and do it. Your plight brought this to mind a lyric from Reba McIntyre's "Fancy".. She handed me a heart shaped locket that said "To thine own self be true" And I shivered as I watched a roach crawl across The toe of my high heel shoe It sounded like somebody else that was talkin' Askin' Mama what do I do She said just be nice to the gentlemen Fancy And they'll be nice to you. Well you get the idea you can take their money but you don't have to change. Good Luck

I would still be a patreon. Do the pre-released-as-unlisted videos that some people do come without ads, or maybe I'm not seeing those just because of youtube red. (My annoyance with ads is greater than my annoyance with giving youtube money.)

Jamie Magin

B)

A) the adds are a minor annoyance.

Chuck Sembroski

I have gotten used to ads in YouTube content so I won’t bother me much.

Doesn't matter to me - do what you think is best.

My support stays regardless of the ads. I think you deserve the additional revenue.

Bert Nielson

Push the button! Take the money! You deserve it and every penny helps. Its about your content. People that watch your channel should be smart enough to know you're not endorsing any of the ads. And I think you have some options to ad topics, but it's been a while since I've looked. With your view counts you might be nicely surprised! (just keep all that offensive content to a minimum-- Ha!) You'll probably get some videos marked down as non-monitizable, but That's been happening to me less, and less, and always submit those for review. I think some of mine were due to initial voice-to-text mis-interpreting a few words. I don't think you can say "Coerce" like in "Coerce this belt around the next pulley" Can't talk about drugs. Duh, but I didn't realize that when I reviewed a really fantastic pill splitter. Oh well. Don't take those personally, and aways have them reviewed.

(A) Hi Fran. What a question. Did I join just because there are no ads? Of course not, the content is a bit more important :) Do whatever helps to keep the channel going. Btw, I don't use an ad blocker. But when I watch the videos on a smart TV, which is connected to the YT app on my smart phone, I don't get any ads. Don't know why.

Yep monetise away, I now pay for youtube premium so don't see any ads and you'll get a penny or two, but to be honest before I went down that route, I used adblockers anyway.

Hi Fran. Do monetize to keep you channel up in yt. You will have my support anyway.

(B) What I would really appreciate is when all the tech channels switch from Youtube to Vimeo. But unfortunately Youtube has done a very good job. It is almost impossible to get out without suffering from heavy losses. So I have to live with B. Whereby I use good AD blocker on several levels.

New Patreon sub, and will last as long as my attention span. Could be weeks, could be years. I don't know for sure.

Hi Fran, i do filter ads, so it dosn't matter for me if you enable monetization or not.

A. Earnings from ads and support from Patreon are two totally separate things. I won't cancel Patreon until she shows us her first diamond-set soldering iron.

I vote option B. It's not your fault, and I can easily eliminate the ads if I feel they are too much.

Personally, I am somewhere between A & B. I already tolerate watching ads until the Skip button appears and you already get my biggest Patreon slice :)

Robert Singleton

Option B for me. I presume if subscribers watch your videos on Patreon there will be no adverts. Adverts on Youtube are very hit and miss and I am still not clear how and when those making videos benefit i.e sometimes I see them and sometimes not when watching the same video, Youtube offers an advert free experience for a monthly subscription, and you can effectively not see adverts by accessing Youtube via the Firefox browser with a plugin enabled.

John Russell

Yes Fran. Do it. I'm a big fan and i will continue to be a patreon. :-)

A for me, and I will continue to support you on Patreon.

Stephen Woods

Go for it Fran i will stay on patron. So you get an A from me to.

A. Just don't start reading audible adds please.

Go for it, no matter what you decide my support will not change. So mark me down as A B positive.

A. A monetized Franlab is way better than no Franlab. (I do have Youtube Red)

A, all the way

Daniel Worth

B. I like your videos and will continue to support you,

The ads really don't bother me. And of course I would continue to support you on Patreon.

DaisyAmanda

A. You gotta do what you gotta do!

Option B. Do what you have to.

Option A, to bad you are forced into it but will not change my support.

I vote for option A. No stress at all. Keep up the fantastic work 👍😃

Joel Sutton

A. I have no issues with that.

Your channel is so awesome, that to lose you would be a sad day - so monetize if you have to - I will always support you and your channel.

B. I can skip most ads and they don't bother me. I do not like a creator being forced to run a channel a certain way, but YouTube wants their cut from somewhere. And like AvE says, the ads are for those passing by. The real community is here.

B. I use adblock so it wouldn't bother me at all, I just feel a bit sorry for others who don't block. But, if it gets more people engaged with your content, do it! Maybe put a small bit of text in the corner at the start of videos explaining why you're monetised?

I agree with the consensus - if you can get a bit more money in the kitty from monetising, do it! Most people I support on Patreon still have ads on their videos and it doesn't bother me. Thanks for asking for our opinions, though!

Personally I would be fine with it. I use a an adblocker so I never see the ads anyway.

Walter Heukels

(A) Monetise. Ads can be slightly irritating at times but never completely distracting. On occasion, if placed correctly and relevant to the subject matter, ads can actually be useful. I say, proceed with monetisation. Your followers will stick with you!

Jim Norman

A. I don't mind the ads much, and would be glad to see you grow your channel further and get fully funded.

Nikolai Kondrashov

I use adblock Fran, so monetise away.

D I just started supporting you and like you and your videos :)

Michel van Deventer

Monatise

edwyrd karn

Go for it Fran. Let's get you out there.

A, reality is youtube is a distribution service needs funding to operate. They clearly arent hurting for cash, but I accept ads as an exchange for service.

If it helps the channel grow, do it. I use Adblock anyway so I will never see them (and I don't feel bad about it one bit since I am a Patreon). So A I guess.

Tung Tobak

A. I say go for it. I'm also a Youtube Premium subscriber so I won't see those ads anyways. I'm always up for paying for good content rather than giving some of my precious time to advertisers.

Joar

A. he ads are ok, mildly irritating at worst but mercifully a lot of them are short and you can skip them. I never thought I'd say this but I've started watching them. My support remains either way. Go for it

A.

A . You can always remove it later when you feel the channel has grown to a certain extent and the reach + subscribers have increased. no matter what we are ok with anything you decide.

May as well be A since in California they seem to be running ads against your content anyway.

Terry Cox

A. Do what you need to do.

A. Do what you need to do. Ads won't bother me.

Greg Hill

I also have YouTube Red, Fran, but even if I didn’t, I would tolerate ads if it meant better funding for Franlab!

A. Do what you need to do, I'll support you either way. I increased my pledge to help, just don't tell my wife. ;) Edit: I don't care about the ads. I don't pay attention to them anymore.

Jessica McIntosh

A

A. It is what it is. A necassry evil of the marketing dynamic. And maybe the pittance that YT pays nowadays will (slightly) help close the gap on what you need to sustain your work. There is also the possiblity that you could turn off monetization on certian projects, and see what the algorithm does. Full disclosure, I also have YT Red / Premium, so the ads won't impact me in either case.

With me, it's a mixture of A and B. I just have just upped my patreon contribution, so I hope that others will do the same. At the same time, it's important to remove the monetization hurdle. It's their ball and bat, so whether we like it or not, I'd like to see you get the maximum exposure.

Larry Taylor

A. I back projects on Patreon that I think deserve more then the pittance ad revenue would provide to non-megachannels. I also have Youtube Red. If this gets you back on a viewer growth curve it could get you closer to your Franlab funding goal.

A. Just do it

Really? YouTube doesn't show ads on YouTube videos embedded on other sites? Or is there something else you meant by "embed your videos in Patreon"? If it's really possible to have no ads on Patreon, but still be monetized on YouTube then that's definitely the way to go.

B Ads just drive me crazy, but I know the direction things are going.

A You go gurl! Monitoze alreddy!

A. Of course we’ll support you! :)

Nicholas Wilson

A. I have no issue with you monetizing your channel. I expect nothing less. I subscribe to YouTube Red to side step advertising, which is my choice. Other people can choose to side step advertising as it suits them. The people who do not which to subscribe to YouTube Red are already used to seeing advertising. Be aware that YouTube is not generous with advertising revenue. You need a mega channel to see returns on views.

SpringRat

B

B

Erik Broeders

B, I'll be annoyed at YT not you. New subscriber coming in it wouldn't have made a difference either. That said when I look at retained subscriptions (1yr+) they are all either not monetized or monetize select content. PS: That might be changing, yours isn't the only video like this I've seen in the last months.

Nothing wrong with Monetizing, go for it.

A. I have Red so it won't be a change for me.

A) C'mon Fran, join the big leagues and just monetize already!

I'll go with B - as much as I hate ads, I'd hate it even more if quality content like yours disappeared. It's unfortunate that YouTube has put you in this position, but it kinda is their sandbox. I guess you gotta play by their rules, capricious as they can be at times. Whatever you decide here, I'll be sticking around.

Ken Klavonic

Gotta go with the flow Fran. If monetizing helps Franlab then I vote go for it.

Dwayne Goertzen

Fran, Do what you have to do to keep on doing what you have been doing. I'm not going to stop supporting you because of this. We are very much alike, you and I and I'm behind, beside and if needed, in front of you!

Colleen Micheleti

Go ahead and monetize, I'll still be here either way! It sucks that it's come to this, but I do understand Google's perspective too. The current Patreon model cuts them out of the deal entirely, and the ads are their only way to recoup the cost of hosting/streaming your channel. I would almost prefer if they would allow you to just pay a monthly service fee and you could take it out of the Patreon income like any other bill, but I guess Google really is more of an ad company than a service provider.

Im still in, Fran.

The fact that rad people like you continue to exist in the world and pursue your projects is more than enough for me. Please do whatever it takes to survive and thrive!

Paul John Showalter

A ditto Roth.

A First and foremost what I want you to do is to continue to make more contend. If you have to monetize and get paid a little more that's fine by me. I'll watch your videos so long as you keep up the great work.

B

AB1DQ

If you decide to monetize, does that mean we'll be seeing ads on your channel? Because if so, I really wouldn't notice. I couldn't even answer if FranLab has ads or not; I watch so much stuff, I don't even register noticing them. If you chose to monetize (but don't want to because of this caveat) I would not care at all. I'll still keep watching and keep being a Patron.

There are differences between American and British English spellings; this is one of them and it's completely acceptable.

A is probably the closest to the way I feel. It's too bad you're being forced to make this decision.

A and B, I'll stick with you whatever.

Gayln Hall

A!!

Dewey

Go for it Fran. I just tune out the adds.

I'm with A and B. Go ahead and monetize. I'll stick with you.

Chuck Kirchner

Yes, of course!

Jeffrey R. Broido

I’m slightly confused about this whole thing, but here’s my advice. As long I and all your others patreons can see your amazing content that’s the most important. Extra YouTube requirements, I’m not worried about. I’m A and B as well.

A. - B. for me. I'd prefer that you stick to your principals, but I watch a lot of YouTube where I have to wait 5 seconds to skip, so not any extra stress for me

I support any choice you make, and I'd suggest A/B for now. Consider if there are other platforms as replacements or in combination with YT in the future that can provide you the influx of new eyes you need to keep growing. Good luck!

Travis Snoozy

A. Of course/

Eric Dickinson

B ..... Monetise (with an 'S' , not a 'Zed)

Piero Davies

Fran, you have my full support for any choice you make. Qapla!

Unfortunately you can't fight city hall and win. I will stand by you Fran what ever you decide. The greedy SOB YouTube subscribes to the current thinking that there is always room for more profit. Give then hell Fran, but I think you will have to monetize (what an ugly word, what happened to the English language, it is not the English I was taught) !

A

I have no problem with you monetizing your channel. It is worth it and i would not be deterred from being a patreon.

Guido Zijlstra

A

A

For me it's A. I don't mind especially because YT is practically forcing you. So please don't feel embarrassed about it.

A: No worries, the most important thing is that you can continue to make videos! I hope monetizing helps and your videos will again be suggested to others!!

Christian Grothaus

Do what you need to, so option B I suppose, but use ad blockers until the end of time. Like other folks have said, I can't stand ads and will never watch or click on them, no matter what.

(A) Got for it! I’ll continue to support you via Patron.

Kitt Thompson

I support you monetizing your channel. I have no problem with it. I will still support you on Patreon.

You are not selling out. You are surviving. Monetize already. People who really despise ads are already running something like Ad Blocker, and they'd never notice the change anyway.

Fran, I'll still be a Patron whether you monetise or not :-)

I have YouTube Premium, so I guess I'd like some of my payment for that to go to you, so (A) :)

Val Packett

A: l will still support you directly as a patron and I’ll also watch the ads. If people don’t want to watch the ads they can use Adblock. If it means you’ll have more money to keep providing us great content then I’m all for it! 👍🏻

Ben Dean

A: l will still support you directly as a patron and I’ll also watch the ads. If people don’t want to watch the ads they can use Adblock. If it means you’ll have more money to keep providing us great content then I’m all for it! 👍🏻

Ben Dean

Fran, you mention you don't want to monetize "for many reasons". I'm curious what those are, if you are willing to share? I can think of many: not wanting to be subject to advertisers requirements, wanting to avoid a profit motive, wanting the channel to be generally non-commercial, not wanting to annoy people with commercials, not wanting your content associated with marketing outside of your control. These all seem like they have some legitimacy to me. That being said, my impression is that you are trying to make a living off of providing content to the public viewing of your videos. You seem to have a lot to offer the world, and I want to live in a world in which you can make a living doing so. Therefore my answer is definitely "A". I don't know much about monetizing on YouTube, but my impression is that perhaps you can have some influence over the amount/frequency of ads, so perhaps that would be a way to help minimize some of the negatives of being monetized.

B You Tube would like everyone to think they are an open, free speech forum, but everyone knows the are in it for the money. I'll support you no matter what you do. I guess if you want to play in their sandbox, you have to play by their rules. I'll practice pushing the "Skip Ad" button faster, and I won't be buying any of their "premium" features. If they want to be money grubbers, they can do it without my help.

Paul Dochow

I also sit between A and B - not keen on seeing people being forced into corners but sometimes being pragmatic, going with it and saving your energy for better things is probably the best way forward. I don't enjoy adds but have become quite adept at ignoring them :-)

It's 100% "A" for me. I use Ad Blocker (and wonder why there's anyone left on planet earth who doesn't), which means it don't make no never mind to me whether you have ads or not. It unfortunately also means that nobody gets any ad revenue from me, but damn I seriously hate ads and commercials.

Karl Bunker

Maybe we should start a campaign to get Ladyada to buy all the YouTube ads on FranLab! I mean, Fran might not work with these new fangled microcontrollers and flashy neopixel LEDs, but that doesn't mean her viewers don't!

UpLateGeek

YouTube are also rolling out the paid channel memberships, so maybe that could be a way around putting ads on the channel?

UpLateGeek

I'm somewhere between A and B; If you feel you have to do it, then I'll support you no matter what. I'm a YouTube premium subscriber, so you'll get my revenue anyway, and I won't be forced to watch the ads either. Many other YouTubers just openly tell their subscribers to install ad blocking browser plugins or software, and if they feel bad, to chip in a buck on Patreon. And if they can't do that and don't want to use ad blocking software, then they shouldn't hesitate to click the skip ad button.

UpLateGeek

I vote (A) to monetize. I have just got used to seeing ads on channels whether they have Patreon subscribers or not. It does seem a shame, but rather that than see your channel excluded.

Keith Lambell

I'm mostly on A, but please do not allow that annoying banner ads right on the video itself. I have no doubt that YouTube promotes monetized contents over non-monetized.

a of course, yeh it's annoying but who cares if you're forced to. No way I'd cancel my sub because of that.

Adam Robinson

I'm with plan B. I dislike ads, but something has to fund the YouTubes sector of Gargle. It's the Fran bit of the subject that is interesting, lots of electronics channels but only one FranLab, so go for it and console yourself by getting a better grade of coffee. (Only occasionally mind you, can't pamper the peasants. If Google gets to hear you're on the expensive stuff, the funds trickle will dwindle most promptly.) Good luck with whatever you do.

Keith Wright

Clearly answer a, because, heck, why not??? I will still be supporting your channel, at least :)

Tobias Aumüller

Hey Fran looks like you stirred up the hornets nest again judging by the number of replies. I think it’s refreshing to buck the all or nothing money trend. So be true to yourself and stick to the free for all philosophy. You know that’s what you want!

Harry Lakhaney

A, do what you need to do to keep producing content, would be sad if you had to give up. You could always put up the videos elsewhere unlisted (a second channel or Vimeo maybe), and only send the link out to Patreons.

Dave Curran

B for sure I always enjoy your videos keep up the great work.

It’s ‘A’ from me. I subscribe to over 100 channels and many of them are monetised. It doesn’t bother me one bit. If it helps the content creator to continue making videos that interest me, I’m all for it. YouTube’s algorithm which determines whether videos are suggested is becoming more complex as the years go by. They are able to gather more and more data as their systems become more sophisticated. I would suggest that you familiarise yourself with the current algorithm. There are even channels dedicated to the topic. One thing which seems to be very important, is whether your videos are watched in their entirety. If viewers are bailing out early, you won’t rank highly in suggested videos, even if the video has a lot of views. So, maybe work on this aspect of your videos. Good luck Fran.

A! probably most of the ads will be AdaFruit, they are not so evil.

I'll go with (B), but only because it sounds like you'd really rather not monetise. The ads sometimes break the flow of a video but I think that's more of a problem for a music tutorial or demo video, where the ad breaks in in the middle of a piece of music. In the meantime I've upped tiers - damn the man, especially if the man is Google ;)

No brainer, monetize. The more reach and viewers you can get to grow the channel the better.

Answer: A You gotta do what you gotta do. Monetizing won't change your content -- so if doing it gets you more viewers and (a little) more money, I won't judge.

Cindy&Jeff

Short answer (A) Medium answer (A) people watching YT for free are already used to seeing ads, people with YT red wont see them anyway. Patrons might also be more likely than average to be red subscribers? Who can say. Long answer (A) it's a commercial platform. To be honest, before I heard the term monitization I always assumed YT simply ran ads on content, which would be their prerogative as a platform. Purely from a viewer perspective, I always thought YT did a better job than most with their ads anyway. They're 30 seconds or less, and let you skip after 5, which is a heck of a lot better than places like news websites or streaming video. Could be a lot worse considering the near monopoly. The fact they even provide the ability to opt out of the ad system is nice as well, but because you are trying to do this as a career I don't think you should opt out of ads if it also means opting out of a necessary traffic source. Final thought - although I give YT credit for how they strike a balance between ads and viewers - I think they do an awful job striking a balance between policy transparancy and content producers. You're not the first person who has bumped their head against their wall of unknown rules and algorithms and I sympathize. It must be awful trying to make an informed decision involving self-employment when your partner and service provider won't show you the rulebook. Could you imagine any other franchise taking off under those circumstances?

I'll go for option B. :-) I will continue to support you.

Fran, this may be a cop-out, but only you know what is right for you and your channel. You should do whatever you feel is right. If you want to try monetizing to see what happens then go for it. If you want to keep ads off of your hard work, that's fine, too. But know that I will continue to support your channel no matter what you decide. And I have a feeling that the rest of your Patreon supporters will do the same. Thank you for just being Fran!

David Blake

Surviving isn't selling out. By all means, monetize!

A/B I'll be there for you no matter what.

Bruce Davis

AB1: Tube amplifier joke, but also my reply. Try monetizing if you think it will help. I'll still watch your videos and contribute to your Patreon account.

Gee Bee

A) C'mon Fran, join the big leagues and just monetize already! I'm honestly surprised you haven't already. I'm used to ads on youtube and I see no issue with it.

Currently I don't see any advertisements at all in YouTube. So, for me it's all the same. Do what you think is right.. I won't blame you for anything.

A/B ... do it... If it makes you feel guilty then donate the money to a worthy cause.

Tom

A. for sure! If you wanted to host the videos somewhere else more free as well, <a href="https://diode.zone/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://diode.zone/</a> might be a possibility, I believe scanlime is trying to make it a PeerTube community for electronics.

Aly

B. Will definitely still support. It’s just unfortunate this is how YouTube wants to rig the game in their own interests.

Ashlyn

B. I wonder if you could have a secondary ad-free channel for the patreons. Might be problematic with YT's copyright algorithm though.

Max Mustermann

I shall fear no adverts, for thou art with me. ;-) Go for it. Be fearless.

A, hey who cares. If it helps you Fran I'm all for it.

A. I honestly probably wouldn't notice if you monetized. If it's the only way to get Google to recommend you, it seems like you have little choice. I'll gladly keep supporting you via Patreon, and I want everyone to have the opportunity to have your videos recommended to them, as I'm pretty sure that's how I found your channel.

Xopher Smith

A. No problem. Take their money, please.

A, for sure.

Matt Mills

To be honest, I am using an Ad-blocker, and support the creators via Patreon. AVE posted a video on the matter.

Guy Van Loo

B) I've made a game of seeing how fast I can hit the "Skip Ad" button as it appears. It's good for us Gen-X's to exercise our eye-hand coordination on a regular basis ;^)

No worries. I think we all want your content regardless of how we get it.

If it's the best thing for your channel, then I say monitize. I won't be going anywhere.

As many said, (A+B)/2. I won't stop patreon support because of ads.

Oliver Prosperi

I truly enjoy your channel. I'll support you whatever your decision.

Not happy with B but if you need it to keep/expand your channel I will stay with you.

B

Gilbert Pfaff

I say A. Honestly, I didn't even realize your videos weren't monetized already :P

Mr. BA

A, no worries :)

Take their money, for real.

Supporting you via Patreon? Why would I stop directly supporting somebody who produces the awesome content you do? No, won't happen, you get my monthly donation until I'm not here to give it. :)

I'd say A with a bit of B. Why? Because I've seen YouTube demonetize perfectly innocent videos from people before, and I'd hate to see you get stuck putting up with that mess.

Xargos

I don't really care. Please do what it takes to keep the channel alive, Of course I will keep supporting you!

B - I'm sticking with you no matter what! I can put up with a few ads for your awesome content. Just so you know, as soon as I saw your video on this I came over here and signed up as a Patreon supporter.

Go for it. YouTube is an advertising platform first and a social media platform second but it’s the only show in town and a few ads aren’t going to stop me supporting your excellent work.

Mark Wilkes

A - You need to continue to follow your passion. Unfortunately, what used to be very public spaces are now owned by monster corporations. Therefore, they are going to treat them as revenue streams in any way possible. I understand the heartbreak that is; however, we don't really have a voice anymore.

Rish

I'm somewhere between A and B. I wouldn't say I'd *hate* to see you do it. After all, YouTube needs to pay for those servers somehow, so I can't really hold it against them if they promote videos that make them money ahead of those that don't. That said, it would be nice if your patrons could avoid the ads. The ideal would be if you could host your videos monetized on YouTube, but make them available to patrons here on Patreon without ads.

Option A, and heck yes, I'll still support you, Fran. Besides, my sister's name is also Fran, and if she ever found out I let a fellow Fran down it wouldn't be pretty.

Pete Cervasio

A - If being monetized helps make your videos appear in search, then go for it. You'll gain more patrons as a side effect.

bkd

A, with a smidgen of B… I don't _hate_ that you have to do it, but I do get why you don't want to monetise. So, see if it makes the difference. I bet it will, and the alternative (losing the audience) is worse. However, I suggest you do what AvE does and recommend using an ad-blocker in the videos, decry YouTube's stupid practices, and even suggest boycotting the advertisers :) Maybe add a line to the intro saying "I'm sorry about the ads... YouTube make me do it!" But no, you won't be losing my pathetic buck a month whatever you decide.

Tom Gidden

B.

Jac Goudsmit

A: Do what you need to do. I will always support you.

William Alsing

It's for sure worth it as an experiment. If you're making money for Google and that translates into appropriate exposure for your channel then we have the answer.

David Edmeades

A - we'll support you Fran! Go Fran Lab!

Dieter Werner

A, we'll still support you

A) I've never looked at Patreon as an alternative to youtube ads. I think of Patreon as a way to support the creator I love, in a more direct way. I can't afford to pay all the creators I like, through their own Patreon funding. That would be crazy. I have to pick and choose. I'm sure some others feel the same way. If youtube ads will bring some revenue, go for it. You are lucky that your channel qualifies for ads. Most don't. Ads on youtube are a part of life. I don't blame or accuse the creator of "selling out", just because they have ads on their videos. That's silly. However, if you change your content to please a sponsor, then that's different. I don't think you are the type that would do that. So turn on ads, explain why you are doing it, move on. Some will hate it, but that will be the minority. I will continue to support you through Patreon, even if youtube ads are on.

A

A

David Johnson

I be a patron whatever you choose, but if I have to choose one of the alternative it probably be "A" :-)

A. Whatever it takes to keep you funded and producing videos. You could even be monetized and then curse a blue streak at the end of every video to get demonetized if all you want is to have your channel in rotation.

B - be cool, be retro, be successful. I don't see ads anyway...

A for me. More money cooler stuff move views snowball woohoo!

Robert Holt

B - This is the reality. I personally have ads blocked so no worries for me.

B) Do what you need to do to keep doing what you do!

'A' - Because I'd hate to see you go . . .

A) Absolutely - do it if you need to. I'll survive :-)

Graeme Gets

I use an adblocker, that's why I support my favourite YouTubers. It makes no difference to me and many others if you monetize your channel

I tend to B. I would not be annoyed by your monetization of the channel. If I am to annoyed of ads I can still use a AdBlocker. I think it's sad that you are somehow forced to do it (and play by the (new) rules of YouTube) till you need the platform of YouTube. There is no other platform with the same reach. And I just raised my amount I contribute to join the team FranLab !

A! Do it if it makes your life easier and the subscriber base growing. I'll be a patreon in any case.

A -- simple. no worries

I'm here to stay Fran, a few adverts won't dislodge me, so option A.

David Peaker

Fran, I understand the issue at hand. It appears that you cannot be discovered anymore by people, unless you monetize your channel. Whether this is acceptable for me depends on the amount of advertizing, A commercial at the start is okay, but please no commercials throughout the the video. I'm a B.

Toon van der Pas

*A*. I get that YouTube probably needs to recoup their own costs through advertising. Also, here's an important point: if you embed your videos in Patreon, they don't have ads. Anyone who patronizes you gets to view your videos without being interrupted.

Option B. You’ve done so much to craft interesting content and analysis, I’d hate more to see your channel shutter under YouTube’s increasingly intrusive practices. Though I’ve only recently started to watch and support your channel, I hope you will be around for the long haul. Thanks so much, Fran!

A) Go for it!

A - no objections here. Go for it!

Monitize already! And tell us if it changes the stats.

Ed Luke

A or whatever it takes to make FranLab going! While ads might be annoying, those of us who don't click on them and don't want to see them will simply use AdBlock. If that helps you reach out more audience and show up in 'recommended' more often again - then definitely please do it! Your content is very valuable, and even though it might not be in all people's taste, there is enough geeks around the planet to make it worth reaching them!

JD

B. I like the ad-free channel, but I also understand the need to keep finding new viewers.

Rob Brewer

Fran - A- just monetize - it's merely the cost of using youtube. - viewers understand. If it goes against some deep moral code, then donate any ad revenue to a charity. I hate to see you cut off your nose to spite your face. If anyone doesn't understand why you have to do this then really that's their problem, not yours.

Techmoan

Sure, go ahead an monetize... but I'll be bluntly honest. I use an Adblocker anyway. I use Patreon to make up for that where I can. Your channel is one such case.

Al Hunt

My understanding is that if you monetize, then YouTube will put ads on your channel. This won't affect me, because I'm a YouTube Red subscriber, and the lack of ads is worth it. That may not be the case for others. So I'm OK with you monetizing, It will bring in more money for you, I hope. I'll still be a patron.

Definitely a vote for monetizing here. As far as I understand it (which isn't far), if you don't use copyrighted content, then you're free to also distribute your vids on non-advert platforms such as peer-tube and archive.org. So even the most advert-adverse fan could choose to watch your vids on another platform, should you choose to publish there too.

Ten Digits - Nate

I am leading towards B, mostly since I am not overly trusting of how YouTube does things. I will be curious to see how this works out for you. I have been considering doing my own YouTube channel instead of my Facebook only video's for vintage radio and vintage test equipment repair.

Allison Rae Barnhardt

A like most people I am unaware of the implications of this in real terms but I am here and not going away.

A! Your content is awesome and I think we all want to support it however we can.

Mark Murnane

A. For me Patreon is not a way to pay for a content, but a way to support your creative work. If ads contribute to that, and it lets you have a few more bucks, why not ?

I am not entirely conversant with how this would affect your channel, but I will support you regardless, so I am Option B. I am not a big fan of advertising and consider most of the early promise of the Internet was discarded when it was monetized. Kind of like charging admission to the public library. Sad, the unreasonable demands of capitalist greed.

Emily Meyerding

I'm a B. If watching an inane and repetitive ad is the price of watching Fran, I'll gladly pay it. But I think the ads are getting increasingly intrusive and I wonder where this is going.

Michael S Wilhelm

A! While I respect your reasons for staying ad-free so far, I think going for monetisation is less of an issue for us than you are worrying about.

I use YT Premium so monitization won’t affect my viewing habits. I’ll still support you here too.

lohphat

I will stay with you whatever you choose. Do whatever you feel is practical to keep your channel growing.My channel is so small, that when I looked at the analytics most of it was blank!

Sadiq Mohamed

I watch &amp; support the content! So keep doing cool stuff and monetize all you want. Cheers

A is the way to go, even if it is just experimental.

I know you really don't like to monitise, and I have every sympathy with that. Whatever you choose, I'm with you - my meagre ten bucks (or £8.50 as it shows up here) is worth every penny. I'm gonna go for A, and you should know that if doing it leaves a bitter taste, it's the corporation's we blame, not you. Besides, is doesn't seem to have watered down JW and Big Clive over here, I think it won't hurt what you do in the end. As we Scousers say, "go 'ead girl!"

Zygmunt Dean

A/B

Option A: Will absolutely continue to support you!

The way I look at it, there are two costs here. The cost of the platform and the cost of the person making the content. I pay Patreon to pay you because I appreciate the content you create, whether that is on YouTube, Vimeo or otherwise. If Google need to monetise the videos to pay for their platform (which costs, let’s face it, quite a bit of money to run) then so be it. Plus you get a cut of that money to pay for those viewers who don’t support you on Patreon. And I will definitely stick with you, Fran, as a patron as I value the content you create for us all. So it’s an A from me 😀

Mark Wayt

(A) appears to be the path of least resistance. So be it. I have committed to support your channel through Patreon. I will continue to do so.

Laura Halliday

Election week? Special event?

Fran Blanche

A. It sucks, but it seems that youtube has placed you in a bind, and I want you to continue to grow.

Misha Moon

I have no problem with you monetizing your channel. As our friend from Canada (AvE) regularliy points out, this can be solved with several different ad blocking solutions.

Holger Barske

A. Unfortunately this is the position GoogleTube has put you in. Given the educational nature of your channel, reaching new audiences is important.

Beefchicken Industries

Whatever you decide, I will keep on funding you!

Thomas Froitzheim

A) for sure! I would rather see you grow and I’ll still be a Pareon regardless.

A - and i will stay as a Patreon - if this means more people will see your amazing content do it

Voting A, I can ignore the ads on your channel just as easily as I do everywhere else.

A!!! Grow your channel.... I support and respect your ultimate decision.

Option A. But perhaps there is an option to just monetise Youtube Premium subscribers? Of course, you can simply trial it for a little while to see if it works.

Maarten Daalder

I'm don't know what's involved in a monetized channel. Is it only ads or is there additional tracking? Ad blocker seems to work fine on YouTube.

Ellen

Option A! If it helps guarantee the continuity of FranLab by satisfying YouTubes algorithms and by generating additional funding for the lab and for you, how could I ever oppose that? It’s gonna take a lot more than a bunch of ads to get me to abandon franlab

Your content is quality content and deserves to be seen by a larger audience. Go for it, most people are used to it. If they hate ads that much , they’ve probably gone premium already anyway. And any Adsense revenue both helps you out and pays google for their hosting, etc.

SteveScotland

A) Do it, and give us the stats again in 6 months.

Just monetize already......Mucho respect for not doing it to-date......but now is the time and I fully support that. You deserve it (albeit YT pay out a meager amount!).

Ian Johnston

A) without hesitation.

I hope you'll consider monetizing the channel. I'll continue my support here and watch ads just so you'll get the meager revenue. I mostly have YouTube trained to only show me industrial &amp; scientific equipment ads anyway, so I really don't mind much.

Michael O'Rourke

Voting 'A' for me. Would love to see your channel and community grow... so whatever you need to do!

Most of the channels I support on Patreon are also monetized on YouTube so I have no opposition to enabling it, especially if it helps close the funding gap.

Tyler Knott

A) all the way! I honestly see absolute no problem in monetizing content, especially it it helps the channel to grow etc... I pay for premium so... no ads here :)

Option A! I highly respect the reasons you haven't yet monetized, but if you are being hampered by it, by all means enable it. I love your videos and will support you regardless. The ads haven't bothered me elsewhere.

Option A

I think you should monetize! And I intend to stick with you here on Patreon!

Martel DuVigneaud

I vote for A. You need to make money to support the channel. And people still can decide to install an ad-blocker in their browser. So if this helps give your channel more viewership I am all for it! :)

(A) The ads don't bother me (unless they're 3:00 minutes long, or in the middle of the video).

A) C'mon Fran, join the big leagues and just monetize already!

Strongly vote for A. Go for it 👍

I’m fine with it. I see why you would resist google but I don’t think this affects your openness.

And if in NYC the week of 11/5 c'mon by for a gratis photo shoot. Real deal! korenman.com

Eric Korenman

Go for da money. You deserve it!

Eric Korenman