[mfoy_]

I don't particularly remember, or particularly care, I just remembered the "hack" such as it is, and how it highlights the inherent flaw I'm talking about in these proxy metrics.

The issue is that the platform uses "minutes listened" or "pages read" as a proxy for "interest" or "value brought to the platform". Because these proxies are measured poorly, lazily, or have exploitable loopholes some content creators suffer for it.

In you specific example, Vulfpeck literally is taking money out of the pockets of their fellow content creators. There's a set amount of money in each payout pot. If they have their fans game the system to take a larger share than their "genuine" content would merit them then isn't that almost theft? Of course I don't really take issue with that. I take issue with the spotty (ha, get it) system that enables such behaviour.