I have always found youtube recommendations annoying.
I find copious amounts of recommendations for CNN equally as spammy as recommendations for conspiracy videos.
I far prefer to just hit the search box and type in the word that best describes the type of video list i wish to view.
It may seem trivial, but if youtube stopped recommending certain video's and channels over others, and just allowed people to search the site for themselves, like one would do if they were in a Library or Video shop, then the issue of them recommending conspiracy videos would be dead and buried right there and then.
Though i do appreciate that Youtube are a company, and revenue and financial gain is of the upmost importance, and cutting back on selling techniques and allowing users to simply decide for themselves, could infringe upon maximum profits.