I used to use NewPipe back in the days of yore. Then I got Youtube Premium since it bundled in Youtube Music as well which I used. But the former’s app on mobile is a shit show. Even after paying, you are asked to tip random creators, purchase merchandise[ which are shown as actual ads below videos] and join channels to access exclusive videos for more money. Basically pay money once, and then pay more money for more content.
Okay, one could argue atleast the above goes to a channel’s creators and helps them. How would one say then that the Youtube app still doesn’t have a systemwide option to choose video quality for all videos. New Pipe had that option long ago, but Youtube thinks it’s user base are immature who need to be coddled with only two options like “High” and “Data Saver”.
Despite having a Premium thing, I finally crossed over to a Newpipe fork Tubular [available on F Droid] today simply because the paying experience on Youtube Mobile is so bad. I can’t fathom how bad it would be for free customers using the official app.
I might be mistaken but, I think cellular carriers force 480p. I always use a VPN and PipePipe, LibreTube, or Clipious so, I don’t know for sure. Lol And, I do look for PeerTube content sometimes.
Yeah, I don’t think any of the “creator” advert things you mentioned have much to do with the big G. I’d guess that 70% of that goes to the channel. Hopefully that much or even more.
Either way, as someone who makes music and goes to local shows, I generally avoid YT and other big platforms. I encourage other bands to upload to PT and FunkWhale. They may as well upload torrents with how much artists get paid from streaming, and use whatever third party tipping platforms.