Alex Trubey

Papers

Research

I work on networks and information: how the pattern of who listens to whom shapes what markets know, what they reward, and who gets ahead.

Working paper · 2024

Social Networks and Success in the YouTube Creator Economy

Using the YouTube Data API, I construct the collaboration network of roughly 1,400 commentary creators connected by about 3,000 recorded collaborations. Position in this network predicts success: creators with more collaborators attract more viewers and subscribers, and appearing on camera raises engagement. Demographic and geographic differences explain little once network position is accounted for. The network itself is sparse, with a clear core and periphery and slight homophily on race and gender.

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Work in progress

  • Working paper · 2026

    Endogenous Network Formation in Information Markets

    Platform tools that improve content quality on a fixed network, like verification, can be muted or reversed once consumers rewire whom they follow. Draft available on request.

  • In preparation · 2026 · with Evan Sadler

    Weighted Network Formation

    Existence and refinement of pairwise stability when links take continuous strengths rather than being on or off.