Does YouTube influence your buying decision
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Jazzcat
Not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but I was curious to find out if various YouTubers influence your buying decisions, or are you set on the decision regardless what YT influencers may say?
I am asking this because many of them are into equipment reviews, and clearly skewed toward influencing purchases (directly or indirectly). We don't really see many educational videos as such in terms of discussing non equipment related topics i.e. coffee beans, processes, roasters, milks, recipes, cafe opening dilemmas etc.
Personally, I bought my equipment regardless of the YT, however I noticed that I almost bought a big step tamper (glad I didn't) due to it being popular on YT.
Many YT influencers say they want to educate, however they heavily invest in their studios, and mostly review equipment, so that makes me think they want to monetise not educate. It reminds me of tennis or photography where people may talk a lot about strings and racquets or their cameras, but that doesn't make them better player or a photographer.
I am asking this because many of them are into equipment reviews, and clearly skewed toward influencing purchases (directly or indirectly). We don't really see many educational videos as such in terms of discussing non equipment related topics i.e. coffee beans, processes, roasters, milks, recipes, cafe opening dilemmas etc.
Personally, I bought my equipment regardless of the YT, however I noticed that I almost bought a big step tamper (glad I didn't) due to it being popular on YT.
Many YT influencers say they want to educate, however they heavily invest in their studios, and mostly review equipment, so that makes me think they want to monetise not educate. It reminds me of tennis or photography where people may talk a lot about strings and racquets or their cameras, but that doesn't make them better player or a photographer.
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BodieZoffa
Definitely don't get caught up in the YT/social media crap storm, as with most aspects of life it's opinion and not much else. It'd be hilarious for YT and others to stop the payouts and then you'd see just how many really want to offer what they think is educational/helpful info when they have to do it all on their own dime.
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Miltonedgebert
I think I was swayed by Hoffman when I decided to buy the robot. I think he said something along the lines of "it's hard to pull a bad shot". The other big factor was that the robot was the only manual machine that didn't NEED to be preheated.
Hoffman also convinced me to dose using scoops instead of silly things like scales.
In other purchases I've used YT vids to see workflow, but haven't paid much attention to the reviews.
I do see the problem now that you mention it. I would be very interested in an aggressively non-gearhead channel.
Hoffman also convinced me to dose using scoops instead of silly things like scales.
In other purchases I've used YT vids to see workflow, but haven't paid much attention to the reviews.
I do see the problem now that you mention it. I would be very interested in an aggressively non-gearhead channel.
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luvmy40
This applies to any of my major, and a lot of my not so major purchases:
I use YouTube as one of many resources in researching products. Due to its semi smart algorithms, YouTube is most often where I find new things that interest me. Then I can further search YouTube for more information on said product from the YT "influencers" and the like. Then I continue my research elsewhere and the gestalt of what I find has a good bit of weight in my decision making process.
It's not good to trust any single source completely in all things. Even one that tries to be accurate and unbiased. It's just not humanly possible to be completely unbiased.
I use YouTube as one of many resources in researching products. Due to its semi smart algorithms, YouTube is most often where I find new things that interest me. Then I can further search YouTube for more information on said product from the YT "influencers" and the like. Then I continue my research elsewhere and the gestalt of what I find has a good bit of weight in my decision making process.
It's not good to trust any single source completely in all things. Even one that tries to be accurate and unbiased. It's just not humanly possible to be completely unbiased.
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AuFinger
Gear and kit are a big parts of any hobby. A lot of people enjoy researching and trying new gear to optimize their kit. "Influencers" cater to the demand for product information with their content. Just look on these forums, the most popular subs deal with gear.
I enjoy researching purchases, so I certainly see what people have to say who actually used it. I'm not sure why someone would waste their time listening to someone talk about something they've already a decision. I'd expect someone shouldn't care what someone else thinks if they made their decision and are comfortable with it.
I enjoy researching purchases, so I certainly see what people have to say who actually used it. I'm not sure why someone would waste their time listening to someone talk about something they've already a decision. I'd expect someone shouldn't care what someone else thinks if they made their decision and are comfortable with it.
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corffee_beanz
As someone considering the bigstep, why are you glad you stayed away?Jazzcat wrote:Personally, I bought my equipment regardless of the YT, however I noticed that I almost bought a big step tamper (glad I didn't) due to it being popular on YT.
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espressoren
Interesting now that I think about it. I watched a ton of videos on things like the Bianca, BDB, etc and I didn't end up buying anything thoroughly covered. It was good information and fun to see how the machines worked up close. Ultimately though the feature set won out and I opted for the Micra early on before there were a number of videos, in large part due to the combo of rotary pump, short warm up, and auto on schedule (along with looks and quality).
On the other hand I bought the Niche solely on Hoffman's "good for espresso, maybe not the best but a joy to use" even after it was clear that Lance didn't like it. After a few months of ownership, I'd say Hoffman was right.
I'd like to think this means that while I use YT for information, I'm still critical about my decision making rather than just lapping up the marketing.
On the other hand I bought the Niche solely on Hoffman's "good for espresso, maybe not the best but a joy to use" even after it was clear that Lance didn't like it. After a few months of ownership, I'd say Hoffman was right.
I'd like to think this means that while I use YT for information, I'm still critical about my decision making rather than just lapping up the marketing.
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Milligan
It is kind of a double edged sword. I think there is some good basic info on YouTube to get someone started. Especially someone that doesn't have a coffee community yet to learn from. With that said, there is a lot of conflicting information and information that could lead a new person down the a wrong path. Unfortunately, YouTube creators do seem consumed with product reviews. It probably has something to do with what people tend to search for, how the algorithm presents videos, and what people tend to get excited about. Another video of puck prep probably isn't going to bring in the views like a "Niche Killer" video does.
There is already a ton of information on YouTube regarding the basics. Some newish techniques pop up from time to time for people to discuss like pulling espresso over a chilled ball like Sprometheus just did a video on, but most things are well treaded ground. So I'm not sure if a YouTuber could make it worth their time to do another round of educational videos. Like it or not, making YouTube videos does need a monetary benefit. It takes a ton of time, energy, know-how and equipment to make a quality video. Building a meaningful audience means one has to produce consistent content at least every other week or so. It becomes more than a hobby very quickly. So I don't blame video creators for needing to make money off of the time they put in.
However, it does get a bit old seeing 3-4 coffee influencers all release a video at the same time when an embargo lifts. It would be nice to see someone change the formula and provide something other than product reviews.
As for me, a video is nice to see the product in motion and relative to a person and space. For example, I thought the new Fellow Opus looked nice in images until I saw it in the videos. It looked bulky and a bit flimsy in use. I'd much rather hear from owners on the forums to make a serious decision instead of someone on YouTube. Nearly everything that I've been inclined to purchase I've found on this forum with reviews from multiple members.
There is already a ton of information on YouTube regarding the basics. Some newish techniques pop up from time to time for people to discuss like pulling espresso over a chilled ball like Sprometheus just did a video on, but most things are well treaded ground. So I'm not sure if a YouTuber could make it worth their time to do another round of educational videos. Like it or not, making YouTube videos does need a monetary benefit. It takes a ton of time, energy, know-how and equipment to make a quality video. Building a meaningful audience means one has to produce consistent content at least every other week or so. It becomes more than a hobby very quickly. So I don't blame video creators for needing to make money off of the time they put in.
However, it does get a bit old seeing 3-4 coffee influencers all release a video at the same time when an embargo lifts. It would be nice to see someone change the formula and provide something other than product reviews.
As for me, a video is nice to see the product in motion and relative to a person and space. For example, I thought the new Fellow Opus looked nice in images until I saw it in the videos. It looked bulky and a bit flimsy in use. I'd much rather hear from owners on the forums to make a serious decision instead of someone on YouTube. Nearly everything that I've been inclined to purchase I've found on this forum with reviews from multiple members.
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