What Is Happening to D&D YouTube Right Now?

D&D YouTube isn't dead, but the landscape is shifting. ** Join the Adventurers Guild at https://patreon.com/ShortRestStudios or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCychTZf1Z2Womi56s_Ddk9w/join ** Many TTRPG creators are asking, "Is DungeonTube dying?" Established D&D creators are pointing to huge downturns in views, leading some, like How to Be A Great GM, to quit and others, like Professor DM and Roll for Combat, to critique the system. We dive into the metrics that actually matter—click through rate and view duration—and analyze how changes in the YouTube algorithm, combined with a more seasoned audience and rising production demands, are forcing a massive shift across the TTRPG content space. More ways to support Short Rest Studios! ============ Short Rest Studios Merch: https://short-rest-studios.printify.me ============ Short Rest Studios PDFs: https://www.patreon.com/ShortRestStudios/shop ============ Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/C89CBNZpbe ============ My website: https://shortreststudios.com ============ My DriveThruRPG Affiliate Link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Shop D&D, DCC, my video equipment and more in on my Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off game tables and furniture at https://legacygametables.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off at Into the AM: https://intotheam.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 5% off at Zyltech: https://www.zyltech.com/?aff=138 ============ Get 20% off with Homie and the Dude: https://hatdbuilder.com/?coupon=shortrest ~~~~~~~~~~~~ We look at why traditional formats like DM advice videos, expensive crafting videos, and typical actual play content are suffering. We compare successful channels like Mystic Arts and Deficient Master, who have unique takes on DM advice, against the production quality of Critical Role to understand the new performance bar. The truth is, TTRPG YouTube is not dying; it is consolidating and evolving. We break down what this seismic shift means for the future of D&D content and why pivoting strategy is the only way for existing channels to survive into 2026.