Analysis of YouTube Hair Loss Treatment Information: What Makes for Engaging Content?

The study from July 2020 investigated the popularity and quality of hair loss treatment videos on YouTube, using the DISCERN tool to evaluate the content. It found a significant public interest in such videos, with the most engaged content often being new and from channels with many subscribers. These videos were useful for treatment guidance but tended to be promotional and biased towards certain clinics. The analysis showed that most videos did not cite their information sources, which compromised their reliability, and there was a lack of content on the impact on quality of life and shared decision-making. The study also observed that the top 3% of videos garnered 85% of the views and that there were geographical differences in the search terms used. While some videos provided moderate to high-quality information, especially on treatments like finasteride, the overall quality of information could be enhanced by linking to reputable sources and creating content tailored for YouTube. The study did not provide the number of videos or people analyzed.