Programs designed to artificially inflate the count of views on videos hosted on the YouTube platform fall under the category of automated viewing tools. These utilities range from simple scripts that repeatedly reload a video to complex systems utilizing proxy networks and simulated user behavior. As an example, a developer might create a script that uses a rotating list of IP addresses to repeatedly access and play a specific YouTube video, thus artificially increasing its view count.
The perceived importance of artificially boosting video view numbers stems from the assumption that higher view counts equate to increased visibility and perceived popularity. Historically, individuals and organizations have sought methods to manipulate metrics on social media platforms to gain an advantage in search rankings, advertising revenue, or overall online influence. This pursuit has fueled the development and use of such tools, despite the ethical and platform policy considerations.