How Smaller YouTube Channels Are Being Demonetized for "Reused Content"

Creators of YouTube took to Twitter last week en-mass to complain about a recent upsurge in the number of both verified, and non-verified channels that may have been unfairly demonetized in the last few months.

Many channel creators have woken up to the above messages on their account stating that the income from their entire channel has been removed without warning.

Reused Content

Originally under the policy of duplicated content, the Reused content policy has become more vague in the eyes of creators, and states the following content is unacceptable:

• Content that appears to be automatically generated (for example, a synthetic voice reads third-party content)
• Third-party content compiled without a narrative
• Content uploaded many times by multiple users
• Content uploaded somewhere else first
• Content that is uploaded in a way that is trying to get around YouTube's copyright tools

Repetitious Content

Another policy that was introduced alongside "reused content" was "Repetitious Content" that targets content that appears to be mass-produced with an aim to increase views without adding significant educational value, or other information.

This part of the algorithm appears to have hit many music channels, and some gaming channels that have later been re-instated, or had to wait for the 30-day review.

Responses

@TeamYouTube on Twitter has been replying to many messages from concerned users, some of whom have had their account monetization re-instated.

There are a number of ways to avoid being de-monetized if you want to remain in, or re-join the YouTube partner program, and they are as follows...

• Use THIS guide for content re-use.
• Add commentary to the video, or show your presence in your videos—(voice or on screen).
• Link back to your YouTube channel from your website!
• Provide more context about your work in your video, and channel descriptions.
• Make sure the content on your channel aligns with YouTube's policies.

What You Must Delete and Change

There are several videos you must delete without exceptions...

1. Content from TV programs
2. Content with no voice-over audio, or text (this includes robot voices—they are no longer monetizable)
3. The same thumbnails... create a new unique thumbnail for each video

There are also several things you can do to improve your chances of being monetized in the future...

1. Update your channel banner, an icon to reflect your channel, and make it look legitimate (branding).
2. Remove ALL Content ID claimed Videos (the review will sting you if you don't do this).
3. Remove any videos with JUST music and pictures—THIS IS A MUST.
4. Update your video descriptions to represent the content in the video, also include a list of equipment, content guarantee, etc.
5. Update your channel description, and tags to actively describe your content (at least 300-500 words).
6. Create an introduction video for your channel (channel trailer).
7. Remove any re-uploaded content you may have used in your videos from other YouTubers. ANY CONTENT FROM A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.
8. Check all thumbnails for copyright pictures, and update them, or change them.
9. Link to YouTube from your website (if you have one) where the content MUST be published.

YouTube user Grindall61 had his channel disabled, and caused a bit of a fuss on twitter, and it was later reinstated. He made this video to discuss his experience.

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