Looking for a sanity check on the amount of espresso that I am using in my BES870XL

Configuration:
Internal burr set to 4
External burr setting at 1
Single wall two cup basket
Double cup brew button will be pressed
Calibrated 53mm tamper
Beans are Light-Medium roast from a local roaster

*If I dose 22.5 to 22.75 grams of espresso I get a beautiful extraction - Usually hit 1 o'clock on the pressure gauge
**8-9 second pre-infusion
**25-30 second extraction
**2oz total liquid

My questions / confusion:
1) I see youtuber's dosing 18g and getting 25 second extractions - If I dose 18g, tamp hard, tamp soft - it flows out in 7-8 seconds
2) I see other people using the razor tool which would reduce my 22g sweet spot and again super fast extraction (bad)
3) If I put 23g or more in the basket, i only get a little bit of espresso extracted (clearly over-extracted)
4) Am I putting in too much espresso? Or am I good and just enjoy your espresso?

Thanks for any responses - if you have any questions I am quick to reply.

Thanks!!