I'm conflicted. Hooktube is ad free, has a clean layout, and gives related recommendations. I like the site much more than Youtube.
But, small creators gain much by getting our views through Youtube. The stats gathered helps them as a form of feedback. Some also gain income through Youtube. This seems to be diminishing, and many are going the sponsorship route, but for now it can still effect their income.
Hooktube is better for the user, but does it hurt the creators?
At the moment I am mostly using Hooktube. If it is a large channel, or not an original work, then the issues I listed are moot. But for small creators I still sometimes use Youtube.
Note, I am not proposing any rules. I think people should continue to use whatever they feel, I just want to hear some other opinions.
I am not sure, as I have almost no experience with using youtube for anything but viewing.
But I assume it still counts the views, probably counts the views from hooktube as well. But it does not get the meta-data, and I doubt it gets the views monetized. Also less likely to lead to new subscribers.