The “Algorithmic Gatekeeper”: How Dutch Farmers’ Use of YouTube Curates Their Views on the Nitrogen Crisis
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Framework
2.1. U&G Theory and YouTube
2.2. Digital Information Flows: The Algorithmic Two-Step Flow Process
3. Materials and Methods
3.1. Data Gathering
3.2. Semi-Structured Interviews
3.3. Data Management
3.4. Data Analysis
3.5. Social Media Research Ethics
3.6. Reflexivity
4. Results
4.1. Voices from the Fields
“I think if you watch the NOS (The NOS stands for the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting or Dutch Broadcasting Foundation, which is a Dutch public broadcasting company) news […] I don’t watch that anymore these days because I know anyway that the plants are all dying and that’s because of me, because I’m a farmer. And the housing prices are also going up because: yeah, we can’t build as much and that’s because of me because I’m a farmer. Well, I’ve heard that by now and I don’t believe in that so much anymore.”(Interviewee 8, 28, male, dairy farmer.)
“They just showed one side of the story. It was so clearly anti-farming. […] Since then, I actually stopped watching TV altogether. […] Because it just doesn’t make you happy. You get blamed for everything. At least, that was my feeling.”(Interviewee 11, 36, male, dairy farmer.)
“This is also immediately actually the problem of the agricultural sector. […] An average farmer also is something like: ‘Don’t come into my land, don’t come into my yard. Let me do my thing and this is my domain and beyond that I don’t want to deal with anything or anyone’.”(Interviewee 3, 46, male, dairy farmer.)
4.1.1. Reality of the Nitrogen Crisis
“I wonder whether this nitrogen emission reduction, whether that actually is a means to restore nature? Or is the goal to […] reduce the number of farmers?”(Interviewee 8, 28, male, dairy farmer.)
“Well more and more people are coming to the Netherlands, of course. […] The cities are expanding. I also quite think that the idea comes from a good place of: ‘Gee, we have to live in this densely populated country like the Netherlands and maintain nature.’ But I think the prejudice is that farmers ruin nature. And I think that is misunderstood. Because farmers generally work with nature, because that’s their job.”(Interviewee 8, 28, male, dairy farmer.)
4.1.2. Measurement Inconsistencies and Contradictory Regulations
“[…] Are the calculations correct? How is it calculated? I sometimes wonder that indeed. In Germany they have practically no problems with nitrogen and then I think: is it only because that country is bigger and the Netherlands is probably just a bit too full? And therefore we create our own problem? But then, is there actually a problem for nature?”(Interviewee 12, 34, male, arable farmer.)
“Actually now, the biggest problem is derogation. We have too much manure currently. […] But we don’t have too much manure. It’s just not allowed to be spread anymore. And they want to get rid of it. […] The bottom line is that we first have to transport that manure abroad or to arable farmers. […] But too much manure remains and it costs a lot to remove it. For those cattle farmers. They also have to deal with that financially now. […] So you can no longer invest and they are left with the manure. And that manure cannot be removed. That is a big problem.”(Interviewee 7, 40, male, employee in mechanization in the agricultural sector)
4.2. Motivations, Needs, and Engagement
4.2.1. YouTube for Education
“Because I watched a video on YouTube about that, too. There you have one of those, that’s from Lely (Lely Holding is an international family business in the agricultural sector. They provide innovative solutions and tailored services. Lely has a YouTube channel for sharing this information with greater reach [43]), you have one of those separators and then they show how they separate that, how they take the nitrogen and the ammonia and that they take that out. And then that’s put into a liquid, that’s stored in a tank. And then you can spread that separately over the land. And that thicker stuff, you can, for example, heat so that all the bad bacteria go out. […] Because then it’s just good stuff so to speak. So yes, things like that, those are all solutions.”(Interviewee 5, 18, male, student dairy farmer.)
“I’m also into composting and I had a soil course the other day […] and they were talking about worm compost. I thought: ‘Oh that’s interesting!’ So then they put one of those tiger worms in a container on a small scale. So I thought: ‘Can I do that with my manure too?’ So yeah, then I started searching on YouTube for that and ended up with videos and then I searched more really focusing on something I want to know. […] You end up on YouTube very quickly.”(Interviewee 4, 40, male, biological farmer)
“Yes, those technical stories did help me. […] Initially, you think nitrogen, that’s nice stuff, because I just sprinkle that to make the grass grow. So then you think: ‘What’s wrong with nitrogen?’ Then just to delve into how it all fits together. That does just give you a picture that you know what it is about. Without that, you start shouting into the void. So that certainly helped.”(Interviewee 6, 37, male, dairy farmer.)
4.2.2. YouTube for Confirming Beliefs
“I was looking for argumentation of why it’s an unwarranted designation, for example. Or what are those articles that refute those theories that are behind that nitrogen designation. […] I mean, there were a lot of things that were taken as true about the fact that there had to be a huge reduction and to us [farmers] there was too much of a focus on the agricultural sector.”(Interviewee 9, 55, male, dairy farmer.)
“Yes, those 30 years thinking you were always right and you can also still find confirmation here and there, just as we can find it on YouTube. They can also find it on YouTube. Then you get two camps.”(Interviewee 3, 46, male, dairy farmer.)
4.2.3. YouTube for Alternative Sources
“YouTube really is a medium, when used, it just depends on which person is shown in a video. […] YouTube is just a medium. And the source, the person behind it can change.”(Interviewee 2, 25, female, dairy farmer.)
“I think with Agrio about the farmers’ protests and Nieuwe Oogst that I do get a bit more of an objective view of what’s actually going on.”(Interviewee 8, 28, male, dairy farmer.)
“You get a strong sense of unfairness in such studies. And well really, they were solid studies. Well, those were then not included [in decision-making]. […] Things like that are made clear by YouTube.”(Interviewee 8, 28, male, dairy farmer.)
4.3. Personalized Algorithmic Realities
4.3.1. Algorithmic Identities
“Well, it goes slowly, haha. I don’t know how it comes, but it’s there all of a sudden. And if you want it to go, it takes a very long time.”(Interviewee 2, 25, female, dairy farmer.)
“Yes of course we all know, there is an algorithm behind it. If you look up certain things, then through Facebook you quickly get certain things and you are sent into certain directions. And you also notice that if you’re on YouTube and you look up certain things, then you’re actually pursued for weeks with more data about that. Which sometimes is quite irritating indeed.”(Interviewee 3, 46, male, dairy farmer.)
“But the thing is these days, I don’t really actively look for videos. Usually I get them in my algorithm anyway, something comes along again, so to speak. […] I don’t get to see the videos about the nitrogen crisis that I fully disagree with. Those stories from the other perspective, so to speak.”(Interviewee 6, 37, male, dairy farmer.)
4.3.2. Reduction in Diversity
“[…] I think all the voices are there, I guess. Both the, if we’re talking about cows, anti-cows, as well as the pro-cows. I think all the videos are out there. But I do believe, if you search on technical things. […] If you then search on ‘mega stable’, if you start using terms like that, then of course you […] get into the trap of where everything is bad. […] I think if you’re in that once, then you don’t get to see other videos. […] And then your opinion is shaped accordingly.”(Interviewee 4, 40, male, biological farmer.)
“I sometimes get this notification whether I find something more interesting or if I want to see more of that. But I don’t because I don’t want to confine myself to an even smaller bubble.”(Interviewee 11, 36, male, dairy farmer.)
“[…] That obviously goes far beyond just nitrogen. […] That’s a societal thing and that’s quite worrisome. I do find that worrisome. That it generally works in such a way that […] people get brainwashed. […] Some people are much more objective than others, and are much more sensitive to it. Sometimes you’re shocked at what kind of point of view some people have. […] They reinforce that with things they have seen on social media or on YouTube from videos they have seen. Not from the newspaper generally. Those are things they do get from news sites where they have clicked on. […] Where those extreme things come from. I do find that very sad.”(Interviewee 9, 55, male, dairy farmer.)
4.3.3. Shaping of Knowledge and Perspective
“Yes, those algorithms are life-threatening. That is something that I do think. […] There should be some kind of control on that, I think, of what’s being presented. Because my brother-in-law, say, he’s somewhat mentally challenged. […] He’s also on YouTube, but he totally gets fed with all of those […] extreme right-wing stories and he gets to see all that. And, for myself, I can filter some of it out, so to speak. So that’s what you do then. But yes, those algorithms. […] I find them eerie.”(Interviewee 6, 37, male, dairy farmer.)
“[…] If you think it through, I believe YouTube also presents me with content that many other viewers appreciate. In that sense, they’re showing me popular and mainstream content, which can subconsciously influence me. I might stop thinking for myself because I could search for much more specific content. However, when I see an interesting thumbnail, I think: “Oh, that’s a nice video” and I click on it. That’s just convenience. So, they are exploiting the consumer’s convenience a bit, as I could make more specific searches if I put more thought into it beforehand.”(Interviewee 10, 47, male, employee innovation center in dairy farming.)
“[…] When you hear certain statements more often, you start thinking about them. Is there some truth to it? […] If something is repeated often enough you always start thinking about it.”(Interviewee 12, 34, male, arable farmer.)
“[…] I think it’s very good to be able to pick up knowledge in that way. Only […] the trick is to not go into one specific direction, so that other sides of the story are no longer highlighted enough. […] Because, if the content fits you, then everything is fine. But if it doesn’t fit you, then it’s presented in a way as if it were the truth. And, of course, that is a bit tricky with that kind of thing, because very often it’s very convincing.”(Interviewee 9, 55, male, dairy farmer.)
5. Discussion
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
U&G | Uses and Gratifications |
UGT | Uses and Gratifications Theory |
PAS | Programma Aanpak Stikstof |
EUCJ | European Court of Justice |
BBB | Boer Burger Beweging |
Appendix A. Interview Guide
- Introduction of the purpose of the research/interview
- Obtain consent for participation and recording
- Do you use YouTube for information gathering about the nitrogen crisis?
- ∘
- If so, in what ways?
- ∘
- Can you tell me more about your experiences with YouTube for information gathering about such issues?
- Basic questions:
- ∘
- What is your name?
- ∘
- What is your age?
- ∘
- What is your place of residence?
- ∘
- What is your gender?
- ∘
- What is your marital status?
- How long have you been working as a farmer?
- How often do you use YouTube to seek information about the nitrogen crisis?
- Are there any specific YouTube channels or creators you watch to gather information about this?
- Do you see a difference between perspectives highlighted in newspapers and TV news, for example, compared to YouTube videos about the nitrogen crisis?
- What do you think of YouTube as a news source compared to traditional media outlets such as newspapers or the news on TV?
- Have you ever participated in a farmers’ protest yourself?
- ∘
- If so, how did you hear about the protest? What did you think about it? What do you remember?
- How do you view the nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands?
- Can you describe any specific YouTube videos or channels you have watched regarding the nitrogen crisis?
- Do you think any of these videos or channels have shaped your understanding of the matter?
- ∘
- If so, how has it shaped your understanding?
- What motivates you to search for and engage with YouTube videos about the nitrogen crisis?
- What do you pay attention to when choosing a YouTube video to watch about the nitrogen crisis?
- What do you think are the main reasons for you to choose to watch YouTube videos about the nitrogen crisis?
- ∘
- What do you hope to learn or gain by watching these videos?
- How important are the title, image, and description of a YouTube video to you when deciding which videos to watch on the topic?
- Are there particular topics or perspectives within the debate that you are looking for?
- ∘
- If so, which ones?
- Do you actively participate in post-video discussions or comment sections on YouTube?
- ∘
- If yes, what motivates your engagement?
- Have you ever felt that watching YouTube videos shaped your actions or opinions regarding the nitrogen crisis?
- ∘
- If so, why do you think this?
- ∘
- If so, in what ways?
- Do you think YouTube plays a role in the videos you see on the platform about the nitrogen crisis?
- ∘
- If so, in what ways?
- ∘
- What do you think about that?
- Do you actively watch videos about the nitrogen crisis, or do they often come up naturally while searching YouTube?
- Do you feel that recommended videos about the nitrogen crisis on YouTube match your interests and viewpoints, or do you feel that they sometimes differ?
- Have you noticed any patterns in the types of YouTube videos recommended to you about the nitrogen crisis?
- ∘
- If so, what patterns have you noticed?
- ∘
- How did these become apparent to you?
- What do you think shapes the algorithms that determine which videos about the nitrogen crisis are recommended to you on YouTube?
- ∘
- Why do you think that?
- Do you think the recommended videos about the nitrogen crisis on YouTube have shaped your thoughts on the subject?
- ∘
- If so, in what ways?
- How diverse do you feel the perspectives in YouTube videos on the nitrogen crisis are?
- Do you feel exposed to diverse perspectives?
- Have you ever taken any actions to influence the content suggested to you on YouTube?
- ∘
- If so, why did you decide to do this?
- ∘
- What was your experience?
- Have you observed any specific stories or views on YouTube about the nitrogen crisis that seem to be widely shared among Dutch farmers?
- Do you think YouTube videos on the nitrogen crisis are representative of the views that exist among Dutch farmers?
- ∘
- Why or why not?
- In your experience, do you think YouTube videos have the potential to amplify or challenge prevalent narratives or perspectives about the nitrogen crisis?
- ∘
- If so, how do you think this could impact public debate?
- Have you personally experienced any instances where YouTube content has made you aware of perspectives on the nitrogen crisis that you were previously unaware of?
- ∘
- If so, how has this shaped your perspective on the issue?
- Are there any specific YouTube channels or creators that you trust or rely on for information about the nitrogen crisis?
- ∘
- If so, why?
- ∘
- What attributes do these channels or creators have that make them trustworthy in your eyes?
- How do you discern information when you watch YouTube videos about complex issues like the nitrogen crisis?
- ∘
- Is there anything you specifically pay attention to?
- Have you experienced any instances where you encountered information about the nitrogen crisis where you doubted the trustworthiness of the information within the video(s)?
- ∘
- If so, what kind of video was this?
- ∘
- Why did you think so?
- ∘
- What did you do?
- Do you perhaps know any people who might be interested in participating in an interview?
- These were the questions. Thank you for your attention and time.
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Pseudonym | Age | Gender | Employment |
---|---|---|---|
Interviewee 1 | 29 | Male | Arable farmer |
Interviewee 2 | 25 | Female | Dairy farmer |
Interviewee 3 | 46 | Male | Dairy farmer |
Interviewee 4 | 40 | Male | Organic dairy farmer |
Interviewee 5 | 18 | Male | In training to become a dairy farmer |
Interviewee 6 | 37 | Male | Dairy farmer |
Interviewee 7 | 40 | Male | Mechanization in agricultural sector |
Interviewee 8 | 28 | Male | Dairy farmer |
Interviewee 9 | 55 | Male | Dairy farmer |
Interviewee 10 | 47 | Male | Employed in innovation center dairy farming |
Interviewee 11 | 36 | Male | Dairy farmer |
Interviewee 12 | 34 | Male | Arable farmer |
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Share and Cite
Esteve-del-Valle, M.; Sarchosakis, F.A. The “Algorithmic Gatekeeper”: How Dutch Farmers’ Use of YouTube Curates Their Views on the Nitrogen Crisis. Sustainability 2025, 17, 3347. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083347
Esteve-del-Valle M, Sarchosakis FA. The “Algorithmic Gatekeeper”: How Dutch Farmers’ Use of YouTube Curates Their Views on the Nitrogen Crisis. Sustainability. 2025; 17(8):3347. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083347
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsteve-del-Valle, Marc, and Fotini Anna Sarchosakis. 2025. "The “Algorithmic Gatekeeper”: How Dutch Farmers’ Use of YouTube Curates Their Views on the Nitrogen Crisis" Sustainability 17, no. 8: 3347. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083347
APA StyleEsteve-del-Valle, M., & Sarchosakis, F. A. (2025). The “Algorithmic Gatekeeper”: How Dutch Farmers’ Use of YouTube Curates Their Views on the Nitrogen Crisis. Sustainability, 17(8), 3347. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083347