While many say they do not believe they are celebrities, their actions show the complete opposite. Their actions are making them popular. There are groups of YouTubers who I always see feeding off of each other for views and subscribers. They constantly collaborate with each other and always go out and about together at events such as movie premieres, showing off their fame.
Another point with this is the barriers between creators and viewers. Events such as VidCon show these YouTubers to be of a higher class than their viewers. I have also heard of certain YouTubers clearly stating that they are above the people who have made their channel popular. I find this insulting to viewers and I know there are others who feel the same.
Of course there's another side to this where there are situations of crazed fangirls tracking a YouTuber's every move. As you would expect, this is not comfortable for some. You will always get the people who will do this, but I feel there would be a lot less of it if they were seen to be gods.
There needs to be a common ground between creators and viewers. Where creators can interact with their viewers while remaining safe and the creator acknowledges the fact that without their viewers, they wouldn't have the life that they have now. I have no problem with people being successful in their lives, but I do wish YouTube wasn't all about fame and money.
C.P