I see what you mean on that last point, but I think their profits are just insanely above what the average company's looking at, which is probably why it seems like so much at face value.

Just the data alone that they're complaining on almost everyone out there would more than make up for what they spend. It's most likely why Facebook and others are also free.

As far as being forced to visit, there really aren't many alternatives on the same level to where you can really say someone can easily do without. It's what they wanted in the first place, so it's not like this wasn't something they weren't planning for ahead of time.

It's a tough situation, I don't know that I wouldn't do the same thing in youtube's place, but I don't think simply accept what the big Corp tells us is the best path either.