Some describe the YouTube auditors as menaces, infuriating, rude and antagonising, but is their approach entirely counterproductive? Everyone has their opinion, but what’s the truth behind these increasingly popular viral video creators?
Here’s something most people don’t realise: YouTube auditors can sometimes teach you more about your legal rights than even the police. That might sound counterintuitive, but it’s true. In areas like public filming, photography, and drone flight, even officers can be unsure of the law.
Auditors like DJ Audits and DJE Media have built their channels around testing these boundaries. Whilst they might argue that their intent is education, we all know their main goal is to generate content that brings views and monetisation. And with numbers like these, it’s not hard to see why.
With an average pay of £4.25 per 1000 views, these videos are bringing in a reasonable revenue for the creators. But unlike most viral content, their videos often spark discussions about public rights, privacy, and what you can legally do in shared spaces.
They’ve even built up quite a following. DJ Audits currently has 241,000 subscribers and millions of watch hours. DJE Media matches these numbers with 250,000 subscribers and millions of views on many of his videos.
How Much Money do YouTube Auditors Make?
Whilst this isn’t public knowledge, we can do the math or estimate a channel’s revenue using websites like views4you.com. Even when a viewer skips the ads on a video, every 1000 views brings in between £1.50 and £7. I’ve used the above website to provide an estimate for each of these channels.
Here’s DJ Audits channel’s estimated monthly revenue:
Here’s DJE Media’s channel’s estimated monthly revenue
And let’s not forget, this is just their YouTube Channels. They also utilise other monetising platforms like Facebook, TikTok and more.
So, I’m guessing DJ Audits is earning about £25,000 per month, and DJE Media about £42,000. Don’t quote me on these figures, but you can see why they keep doing what they do.
They’re Like Marmite
You either love them or you hate them. That is the Marmite effect in action. I’ll admit, I don’t always agree with the tactics they use to pull in views, but I still find myself drawn to their content. And to be fair, I’ve picked up a surprising amount from watching their interactions. My wife, on the other hand, can’t stand them and wouldn’t give any of their videos a second of her time.
Some viewers see auditors as intrusive, rude, or even bullying. Confronting a business owner or member of the public on camera can feel invasive. I’ll admit, I switch off when they overstep the line. But the truth is, even when their approach feels abrasive, they often make a valid point. For instance, their videos frequently highlight the rights of photographers, filmmakers, and drone pilots.
I first encountered auditors while researching UK drone regulations. I had felt anxious about flying in public spaces, worried about negative reactions from passersby. Watching auditors’ videos showed me exactly where I could legally fly, and importantly, how to respond politely if someone questioned me. It felt like a crash course in public rights from someone who thrives on confrontation.
With this said, we know they are purposely provoking reactions from business owners, security guards and the general public to make more entertaining videos. Let’s face it, not many people are actually going to sit through a 30-minute video of an industrial estate or a friendly discussion about common law. For content to be engaging, it needs drama, heightened tempers and action, which we tend to see in each video. We even witness the police being educated on specific laws and regulations.
Police Don’t Always Know the Rules
Here’s an eye-opener: even law enforcement can be unsure about drone and filming regulations. A case in London in 2021 involved a drone pilot stopped in a public park by police officers. They told him he could not fly his drone. Calmly, he explained the Civil Aviation Authority’s rules. The officers, initially confident, realised they were mistaken, allowing the drone flight to continue legally.
Auditors highlight situations like this. They demonstrate that confusion exists even at the level of authority, which makes understanding your rights all the more important. As a drone pilot, I have personally experienced this uncertainty. Watching auditors handle similar encounters gave me confidence to approach challenges calmly while knowing exactly what the law allows.
The Fine Line Between Education and Provocation
Auditors operate on a fine line. They are deliberately provocative, looking for reactions to make engaging content. This approach can feel unfair or even intimidating, and we often see business owners losing their temper due to the audacity of the auditors. Whilst this can seem entertaining at times, I also feel for the business owners who simply wish for some privacy around their businesses. I often switch off when the auditors push too hard. But when done carefully, their methods can be educational.
Here’s what I mean: auditors show you what the law allows, how to respond if challenged, and how to stay within boundaries. They also illustrate the human side of legal rights, how people react, the limits of common knowledge, and the tension that exists when rights are asserted.
But do we agree their methods are fair, are they being considerate and showing empathy for their ‘victims’? In most cases, I don’t think so. They do it for the reaction and for the end goal, money! And is it fair to monetise others’ discomfort and legitimate concerns? Probably not.
Personal Insights
I’ve noticed a few things from following auditors over time. First, even though I appreciate their educational value, I always balance it with respect for others’ privacy. If someone approaches me while filming, I explain my intent to them politely. I don’t see a need to antagonise.
Luckily, I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve been told I can’t film or fly my drone, but I feel prepared if that situation arises. Stating law and public rights. But again, unless I really have to film somewhere, I think I’d be more inclined to respect someone’s request for privacy, even where the law allows it. I don’t like confrontation and will avoid it where possible. Unlike the auditors.
Fame Changes Effectiveness – Victims of Their Own Success
There is another interesting shift happening. As auditors grow more popular, their impact starts to fade. Both DJ Audits and DJE Media are now recognised regularly, which means people are less willing to take the bait. Their style relies on catching someone off guard or unaware of the legalities around filming, and that surprise factor is disappearing fast.
You can actually see this change in their recent videos. Instead of the classic exchange from a couple of years ago where a guard would say you cannot film here and a long debate would follow, people now walk up and say that they already know who they are. It makes the content feel more predictable and honestly less entertaining.
I suspect we might be approaching the peak for this trend. Viewing numbers could gradually slide as more people become aware of their rights and the rules around public photography and drone flights in the UK. The shock value fades when everyone already knows what the law says.
So where does that leave the auditors in the next year or two? My guess is that they will eventually move on to something entirely different. They have proved their point, had their fun, and in a strange way are now becoming victims of their own success.
What to Do If Someone Is Filming Your Business
Many business owners may one day find themselves dealing with a YouTube auditor outside their premises. A camera may be pointed at the building, or a drone could be flying overhead. It can feel intrusive and unsettling, but how you respond can make a big difference.
It helps to understand why they are there in the first place. Auditors are looking for interaction and confrontation. That is what drives views and engagement on their channels. While you may not want your business filmed, in most cases they are not doing anything illegal. The simplest and most effective response is often to ignore them altogether.
Without a reaction, the video quickly becomes uninteresting. It turns into nothing more than footage of a building exterior, which most viewers will not watch for long. Auditors may try to push boundaries to provoke a response, but rising to it only gives them what they want. Stay calm, do not engage, and they will usually move on within 15 to 20 minutes.
To protect your privacy, keep doors and blinds closed where possible. This helps ensure that products, equipment, and staff remain out of view and off camera.
If you do decide to speak to them, do so with intention. Assume the interaction will end up online. Be polite, measured, and honest. You can even use the opportunity to present your business in a positive light. Avoid going into unnecessary detail, and do not respond to any attempts to provoke or antagonise you. The moment emotions take over, you have fallen into the trap they are hoping for.
Staying calm, informed, and professional is often the best way to take control of the situation.
Final Thoughts
YouTube auditors are divisive by design. They entertain, provoke, and educate all at once. But at what cost? Ordinary business owners, security staff, and members of the public are often left feeling mocked or humiliated in situations that could easily be handled in a different way. Their privacy is challenged, their tempers pushed, and for what? I can already hear what DJ Audits would say in response, but that is not really the issue here. Some people simply do not want a camera pointed at them, and they should not feel forced to hide just because someone wants to earn revenue from their reactions.
For creators, filmmakers, and hobbyists, the takeaway remains straightforward: know your rights, use them responsibly, and deal with challenges thoughtfully. Auditors may be provocative, but the legal knowledge they highlight is still useful. Personally, I feel their message has largely been delivered, and perhaps it is time for a different approach.
All the best to DJ Audits and the many other creators in this space.