BLACKPINK’s Lisa faced online accusations that her “SaWaDiKa” music video views were boosted by paid ads. YouTube’s official support team stepped in with a clear explanation about how its recommendation system works.
The speculation started after a now-deleted post on X claimed that YouTube was actively pushing Lisa’s new music video to users through paid advertisements. The accusation gained traction as the “SaWaDiKa” music video raced past 100 million views in less than 48 hours after its release on September 4.
Some social media users questioned whether the high view count was artificially boosted. One user, who claimed to be based in Valencia, Spain, said they rarely watched BLACKPINK or Lisa content and mostly followed BTS, yet YouTube kept recommending Lisa’s video to them.
YouTube’s Official Response
The official @TeamYouTube account addressed the speculation directly. The platform explained that videos appearing on a user’s homepage or in recommendations do not mean the video is being promoted through paid advertising.
YouTube stated that its recommendation system is designed to suggest content based on individual user behavior. The system looks at:
- Watch history
- Likes and dislikes
- YouTube activity
- Search history
- Google activity
“Our recommendation system is designed to suggest content based on your watch history, likes, dislikes, YouTube activity, and search history.”
The platform made it clear that a video appearing repeatedly on a user’s homepage or in the recommended section cannot automatically be taken as proof that the artist paid for YouTube to promote that video.
How the Recommendation System Works
YouTube’s recommendation algorithm creates personalized suggestions for each user. If someone has searched for Lisa, watched BLACKPINK content, interacted with K-pop videos, or frequently listened to related music, YouTube is likely to suggest Lisa’s new music video.
The platform also pointed out that when many people search for, watch, and discuss Lisa’s content, it naturally creates additional exposure and热度 for the artist.
YouTube offered a simple solution for users who do not want to see certain content: they can select “Not interested” or “Don’t recommend this channel” to stop seeing specific videos or channels.
The Accusation That Started It All
A K-pop fan had posted on X, expressing frustration that Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” video kept appearing in their feed even though they had not subscribed to Lisa’s channel. The post went further, accusing the high view count of being the result of bots inflating numbers.
The poster argued that the video was “trash” and did not deserve the attention it was getting. However, after YouTube’s official response and backlash from other users, the original post was deleted.
Lisa’s Record-Breaking Achievement
The “SaWaDiKa” music video, released on September 4, 2026, pulled in 70.8 million views in its first 24 hours. This made it the biggest MV debut on YouTube in 2026 and the second-biggest debut ever for a solo artist.
Lisa still holds the top spot with her debut solo track “LALISA,” which gathered 73.6 million views in 24 hours back in 2021. With “SaWaDiKa,” Lisa became the first female solo artist to have more than one music video with over 70 million views in 24 hours.
The music video crossed the 100 million mark around 52 hours after its release. By September 6, the view count had reached over 106 million. Some reports even showed numbers exceeding 130 million views.
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Additional Controversy Surrounding the MV
The paid promotion speculation was not the only controversy surrounding “SaWaDiKa.” London-based Syrian artist and designer Zeina accused Lisa’s team of using headphones she designed in the music video without permission or proper credit. This added another layer of debate on social media around the release.
Despite the controversies, Lisa’s management company LLOUD expressed gratitude to fans after the video crossed 100 million views. The music video also showcased Thai culture, featuring Bangkok locations, tuk-tuks, and traditional elements, which gained global attention.
Also Read: BLACKPINK Lisa’s “Sawadika” Music Video Crosses 100 Million Views in Record Time
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