"Subscribers don't matter anymore" — half true, dangerously stated

"Subscribers don't matter anymore" — half true, dangerously stated
Word going around is that subs are vanity. Sources say that's the lazy version of a real insight.
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The truth: subs don't trigger reach the way they did in 2016, but the subscriber feed and Bell still drive your opening-hour velocity — and opening velocity is what the algo reads to decide whether to widen distribution.
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Dead subs hurt; engaged subs are rocket fuel for hour one.
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What does this mean for a channel like yours? Don't chase the number, but do reactivate dormant subs with community posts before a big drop. Confidence: medium.