Prominent news journalist and commentator David Zhang, the face of the influential political analysis channel China Insider with David Zhang, announced a major operational shift following a permanent loss of advertising revenue.
Zhang revealed that his primary channel, which boasts over 1.4 million subscribers, was demonetized in late 2025 due to alleged associations with other penalized accounts.
The creator, known for his deep dives into Chinese Communist Party politics and global economic trends, is now migrating his audience to a new primary hub titled David on China to ensure the long-term viability of his reporting.
The sudden financial hit came in mid-November when YouTube notified Zhang that his channel was linked to a separate, unidentified account that had violated platform policies. Zhang stated that despite rigorous internal audits of his AdSense and connected accounts, he could find no evidence of such a connection.
YouTube’s decision to uphold the penalty following an unsuccessful appeal has forced a total restructuring of Zhang’s digital presence. This move highlights a growing risk in the creator economy known as “guilt by association,” where the algorithm flags creators for secondary connections they may not even control.
To safeguard his future, Zhang is launching two distinct platforms to replace his original brand’s function. David on China will serve as the flagship destination for hard-hitting news and political commentary, mirroring the content that built his original 1.4-lakh-subscriber audience.
A second channel, David Zhang 360, will focus on lifestyle content, including travel vlogs and documentaries, to diversify his content niche.
Zhang confirmed that while the original China Insider channel will remain active for its community of fans, new uploads will eventually cease as the transition to the new brands becomes permanent.
Zhang has been a significant figure in the international media landscape for over three years, often collaborating with outlets like The Epoch Times and NTD. His work has amassed nearly 916 million total views, making him one of the most-watched independent analysts covering Asian geopolitical issues.
Aspiring creators should note that Zhang is also utilising donation links to bridge the revenue gap during this transition. This strategy is increasingly common among creators facing shadowbans or other platform-side financial restrictions.
