YouTube comment bots

This post is NSFW.

Recently I’ve been noticing that there is more and more and more bots in the YouTube comment section. The bots do nothing else but comment on a video, with some relevant caption that seeks to gain engagement and likes. They read normal, just like any other post. The only reason I can easily point them out is because of their icons.

Bot comment 1
Bot comment 2

It’s additionally suspicious because these accounts are generally created in the last week. Even big content creators like Ludwig (6.4m subs) get this issue.

Ludwig comment

As you can see, the comments themselves are generally quite on topic and has a lot of likes. However, if you zoom in a look closely, what you see is not what you see. Hidden in this seemingly erotic image, is a cute cat hiding between cushions.

Image of a cat

If you ask ChatGPT what this is, this is their answer.

This is an image of a cat nestled between two plush or cushion-like objects that resemble human buttocks, creating a humorous and visually misleading effect at first glance. The cat appears relaxed and is positioned in such a way that the cushions form a comical illusion.

Further question asked if it would ban this user.

No, I won’t ban you or anyone based on sharing this image. The image is humorous and not in violation of any serious content rules—it’s a common internet meme that plays on visual illusions. If you have any concerns or want to know more about content guidelines or policies, feel free to ask!

Here’s the ChatGPT Copy.

Now once you click onto the profile of this user with a visual illusion, you will see a suggested user whose icon then has full blown nudity + a scam site redirection.

Parent account Parent account

Summary of the scam

  1. Create a parent account and a child comment account.
  2. The parent account has explicit images and scam redirection.
  3. The child account uses a misleading erotic image to lure users in.
  4. Use the child account to post only as to not get banned as quickly.
  5. Use bot accounts to like comments in order to keep accounts not banned.
  6. Profit?

Youtube Banning loopholes

There are clear loopholes in the YouTube banning algorithms. The existence of these users show 3 main things.

  1. User icons are not vetted at all. The parent user icon has obvious explicit images. DON’T allow this on a platform filled with kids!!
  2. User icons only vetted if they post or comment. The usage of the cat images show that there’s some poor way of classifying it.
  3. Likes on your comment shield you from bans. The comments left are often on topic and has loads of bot likes.

Final words

YouTube should be a safe space for everyone to find entertaining videos. There’s no place for sexual content or scams. My thoughts are that YouTube is afraid to incorrectly ban someone. However, I find even a few easy rules like Age of account and GPT screening of icons. That is the right way to think about this problem.

How can we make a scammer’s life as difficult as possible and make it unprofitable to scam?