This is a key reason behind my discomfort with social media. The algorithms that seem unresponsive to clear signals of intent was the last straw. Ended up leaving YouTube over the incessant push to new channels and ragebait shit.
Anyway, lemmy might be a cesspit at times, but its a cesspit I can choose/not choose, to engage with, and thats some nice anti-monopolisation of my online experience in the design.
The best way to use YT, is to have a bookmark folder linking to the recent video list (Descending by release date) of the channels you enjoy.
YT/Google by definition (large American technology company) cannot be trusted.