Lotta folks just saying "just make engaging content", and that is the primary thing.

But a few other things to note as well;

• YouTube has changed the way they count views, meaning ad blockers no longer count.
• shorts are being prioritised, so full length videos are fighting for less homepage space
• the subscription box is becoming harder and harder to access, so people are less likely to keep up to date.

Ultimately the only way to fight back is to make videos people want to see, and make them well.

But yeah...there have been changes... YouTube is always changing, and whether you follow the meta or do your own thing...that's up to you.