Not necessarily. You probably won’t be a full-time reviewer and quit your day job, though.
But I understand the economic pressure. I don’t mind some minor advertisements. Take someone like Garand Thumb or 9hole Reviews. They both hit you once at the beginning; 9hole then does an intermission suggestion to support their Patreon. They both might praise the person/company who loaned the gun (but 9hole almost always owns the firearms).
GT might make an ammo sponsor joke when they waste ammo. GT might have an ad in the middle.
That’s about it.
The first video I commented on is constantly not only smacking you over the head with promos, but also semi-fawning over their sponsors.
Lots of people don’t realize just how much shilling is happening right in front of your eyes. They’ve been exposed to so much of it in their life that is just washes over.
But make no mistake…marketing/advertising works. The person who says, “Doesn’t work on me,” is a total mark.
If something is free, there's a good chance that you as the person consuming it are actually the product. That's true of pretty much anything on YouTube, or any social media.
Considering that one of the main complaints in this thread has been that PRS doesn't do enough to promote itself to new shooters, a fun, fast paced and upbeat video from a successful youtube channel about the one event each year aimed specifically at getting new shooters involved in the PRS seems to fit the bill nicely.
Would you prefer they made a video about their experience without talking about any of the gear they used, or just without mentioning the name of the items & who manufactured them? Or maybe just only talk about the items they purchased and leave out any mention of stuff that was provided to them? Would you hold Frank to that same standard - no positive comments about any gear that was provided to him for review by someone? If it came out that the PRS comped their entries for the match should they then also refrain from discussing the event in a positive light, or at all?
The GAP Grind is a "Pro/Am" match where an experienced shooter works with a new shooter as a team to help them learn what PRS matches are all about, and to coach them throughout the event by providing assistance during and between stages, including calling corrections on the clock. Having an experienced shooter there to help you is literally the entire point of the event, and a requirement for participation.
For these guys to discuss their experience without mentioning the dudes who helped them would make no sense. If anything, I think they should've taken more time to specifically talk on camera with the guys who played "Pro" to their "Amateur," as the YouTuber's participation in the match would not have happened without them.
I missed the plug for SDI, and admit that it's super cringey, as that place really seems like nothing more than a scam intended to bilk veterans out of their GI Bill money.