I have this looming fear that I might be compared to theodd1sout too because of my characters but I've accepted it already.
I watched the 2017 rewind when one of the famous animators I follow announced that they were working on animating their part for the video. But... I kind of hated youtube a little when they included them... only at the end...
I was hyped to see them interacting with other youtubers like passing on the youtube play button or something.
I guess it was better than nothing but you're right, they're being kept at the back burner.
I don't know what's harder at this point. Making what works or doing something else within the niches. A personalized spin for telling stories or doing let's plays.
But I know eventually we'll grow apart, regardless if you copy what others are doing, so long as it's your voice, your art and your stories, it'll still be original.