- Youtuber Carter Smith’s videos were stolen by an impersonator account.
- The fake reached 250k followers, exceeding Smith’s real count and getting a YouTube award.
- Impersonation remains an issue despite platform attempts to address it.
A recent experience shows rising concerns over fake accounts on platforms like YouTube. Carter Smith, 18, built his following by creating PC build tutorials. But an imposter channel re-posting his videos reached 250,000 subscribers, exceeding Smith’s actual subscriber count.
The impersonator also received a YouTube plaque for the milestone. These awards are reserved for original creators upon hitting subscriber benchmarks.
Impersonation and its consequences
Smith had previously reported the account but remained online, accruing views and revenue. “He won,” a frustrated Smith said in a TikTok video. “He’s better than me.”
YouTube did not comment on this specific incident. However, the platform has faced criticism over fake accounts stealing content. Impersonators can monetize re-uploaded viral videos while evading copyright claims.
Other creators have dealt with more malicious fake profiles. Plus-sized influencer Mary, known as BoBerryVIP, saw an impersonator re-post her content with inflammatory captions about her weight. News outlets had already picked up the fake narrative when she responded.
The broader impact and need for solutions
While social networks try battling impersonation issues, users say response time is inconsistent. Stolen content translates to lost revenue and reputation damage for creators.
The problem spans various sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As platforms grow, moderation struggles to keep pace with bad actors. Clearer reporting mechanisms and proactive detection may help curb incidents.
Creators feel frustrated as networks fall short of protecting original videos. Community guidelines strive to prevent impersonator accounts, but process gaps allow damaging cases to slip through. Renewed vigilance could help restore confidence among disheartened users.
