These 7 things will get YOUR YouTube channel DELETED

YouTube has strict rules to keep the platform safe and fair. If you break these rules, your channel could be deleted.

I read all of YouTube's Community Guidelines many times to figure out what you should never do if you want to keep your channel.

YouTube's first defense is its AI, which looks at keywords, thumbnails, and even video content.

Viewers can also flag your videos if they think you're breaking the rules. Once flagged, a team at YouTube reviews the videos and decides what to do.

If you get three strikes, your channel can be deleted. I'll explain the 14 things you should never do to avoid this.

Key Takeaways

• YouTube's AI and viewers can flag inappropriate content.
• Three strikes can lead to your channel being deleted.
• There are 7 specific actions that can result in strikes.

Grasping YouTube's Moderation Procedure

The Role of AI and Human Examination

YouTube relies heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) as its first line of defense. The AI scans titles, descriptions, and thumbnails for suspicious keywords and images. It also has the potential to analyze the actual content within videos.

If the AI detects possible violations, it flags these videos for further review. This initial scan is crucial for quickly identifying problematic content before it spreads widely.

In addition to the AI, YouTube has a team of human reviewers. Whenever the AI flags a video or a viewer reports it, the video is then passed on to these human reviewers for a closer look. They decide if the flagged content violates YouTube's Community Guidelines.

Reporting by Viewers

Viewers also play a significant role in maintaining content quality. If any video appears inappropriate or violates guidelines, viewers can flag it.

This action sends the video to the moderation team for review. The combination of AI and viewer reports helps catch a wide range of problematic content.

Outcomes of Reviews

Once a flagged video reaches a human reviewer, several outcomes are possible.

If the reviewer determines that the video does not violate guidelines, no action is taken.

If the content is found to be a bit edgy but not seriously violating rules, YouTube might age-restrict or demonetize it.

More serious violations lead to strikes against the channel. Each strike results in the removal of the offending video.

Accumulating three strikes within a short period can lead to the permanent deletion of the channel. There are options to dispute these actions, which can sometimes escalate the review to another human reviewer for a final decision.

Consequences of Violating Community Guidelines

Age Restriction and Demonetization

When a video is flagged, it might not always be a severe violation. Instead, it can be deemed edgy but not fully breaking serious guidelines.

In such cases, YouTube might decide to age-restrict or demonetize the video.

Age restriction means that the content is only available to users above a certain age, usually 18. This reduces the potential audience and makes it harder for younger viewers to access the material.

Demonetization prevents the video from earning any ad revenue. Even if the video remains on the platform, it won't generate money through ads.

YouTube Strikes System

The most serious outcome from violating community guidelines is receiving a YouTube strike.

Each strike results in the removal of the offending video. Accumulating three strikes can lead to the permanent deletion of your channel.

A YouTube strike warns you that you've broken rules, and stands for 90 days. During this period, accumulating more strikes can increase the risk of your channel being shut down permanently.

Always be cautious and avoid repeated offenses to protect your channel from potential removal.

The 7 Prohibited Behaviors

Penalties for Associated Account Violations

If one of your YouTube channels breaks the rules, all channels linked to the same Google account could be deleted. It's safest to keep your main channel separate from any side channels where you might try riskier content.

Avoiding Keyword Stuffing

Dumping irrelevant keywords into your descriptions to game the system can get you in trouble. Include only relevant keywords and craft your descriptions naturally to avoid detection.

Misuse of Description

Writing descriptions filled with keywords just for the algorithm, not viewers, can lead to strikes. Use relevant keywords and write in a way that seems genuine to your audience.

Comment Spam Penalties

Posting repetitive or promotional comments can get your channel flagged and deleted. Even if your comments are numerous, they need to be unique and add value.

Misleading Metadata and Clickbait

Using misleading titles, thumbnails, or descriptions to trick viewers (e.g., using a picture of a celebrity unrelated to the video) breaks YouTube's rules. Make sure your video content matches what you advertise.

Unauthorized Content Sharing

Posting content you don't have the right to share, unless it falls under fair use, can lead to strikes. Always ensure you have permission or fall within fair use guidelines when sharing others' content.

Fair Use and Copyright Considerations

When using any content that isn’t originally yours, it’s vital to be aware of fair use laws.

Fair use allows for the use of copyrighted material without needing permission in specific cases, like news reports or commentary. This law helps creators incorporate clips, footage, or photos that they don’t own.

Examples of Fair Use:

• Commentary: Analyzing or critiquing a movie or video.
• News Reporting: Showing clips during a news segment.
• Education: Using media for educational purposes in a classroom setting.
• Parody: Creating a parody of an existing work.

If you’re unsure whether your use of content falls under fair use, it’s a good idea to get advice from a legal expert.

Misusing copyrighted material can lead to your video being flagged and potentially removed. Be cautious and always consider if your use of content is justified under fair use principles.

Key Points to Remember:

• Always give credit where it’s due.
• Don’t use large amounts of someone else's content.
• Make sure your use adds value and transforms the original work.

Keeping these points in mind can help you avoid copyright strikes and keep your channel safe from being deleted.

Strategies for Compliant Keyword Use

To keep your YouTube channel in good standing, it's important to use keywords correctly.

One key strategy is to make sure all keywords are relevant to your video. Irrelevant keywords can trigger YouTube's AI to flag your content as misleading.

Keep Keywords Relevant

Always match your keywords with the content of your video. This means avoiding the temptation to add popular keywords that have nothing to do with your video.

For instance, adding "Mr Beast" in your description just to gain views is not only ineffective but also against YouTube's guidelines.

Avoid Keyword Stuffing

Keyword stuffing is when you overload your video description with too many keywords in a way that's obvious and unnatural. YouTube might flag your content for this.

Instead, write descriptions that naturally include keywords. Think about how viewers would search for your video and use similar phrases.

Write for Humans, Not Just Algorithms

Craft your descriptions to be engaging and informative for viewers. This not only enhances the user experience but also makes the keywords blend naturally into the text.

A well-written description helps attract the right audience without tripping the AI's alarms.

Use Tools to Help

There are various tools that can help you find relevant keywords.

Some popular choices include Google Trends, TubeBuddy, and VidIQ.

These tools can suggest keywords that are commonly searched by your target audience, helping you to optimize your content.

Detecting Spam Comments

Spam comments can hurt your YouTube channel. While leaving many comments is fine, certain types of comments are not allowed and can get your channel deleted.

Characteristics of Spam Comments

• Repetitive Comments: Posting the same comment repeatedly.
• Promotional Links: Sharing links to other websites, especially if they contribute nothing valuable to the discussion.
• Fake Engagement: Using multiple accounts to comment on and upvote your own videos.

Real-World Examples

I often see people leaving repetitive comments that contribute nothing meaningful. Another common tactic is using several accounts to create fake engagement.

These behaviors are not only annoying but also violate YouTube's guidelines.

Actions YouTube Takes

YouTube’s AI and human reviewers flag and remove spammy content. Consistent spammy behavior can lead to strikes against your channel.

Being aware of these spammy behaviors can help keep your channel safe.

Grasping Deceptive Metadata

Misleading Metadata and Clickbaity Titles

Misleading metadata involves adding keywords or information in your video description or title that do not relate to the video content.

For example, adding popular names or unrelated tags just to attract views. This can get your channel flagged or even terminated.

I encountered this when I saw a football highlight video that turned out to be a FIFA game. It was annoying and against YouTube's rules.

Tricks in Thumbnails

One tactic to avoid is using thumbnails with images of celebrities or events that have no connection to the video content.

This form of deception can lead to the removal of your video or channel.

Imagine clicking on a video promising breaking news from a well-known celebrity, only to find unrelated content. It's a violation and can be easily flagged.

Keyword Stuffing

Stuffing a lot of keywords into your description to manipulate the algorithm is another form of misleading metadata.

Though some people might get away with it, it’s risky. If you try to sneak in unrelated keywords, it might hurt your channel in the long run.

For instance, adding "Mr. Beast" in your description for a tech review video is unhelpful and against the guidelines.

Comment Spam to Boost Visibility

Leaving repetitive, promotional comments on your videos or others' is another tactic that breaches YouTube's guidelines.

While engaging with viewers through comments is encouraged, spamming can lead to penalties.

I often see channels using alt accounts to comment and reply, but this strategy can backfire and lead to deletion.

Rights in Posting Content

When uploading videos, it's crucial to use content that you have the right to post.

This means you can't just grab any video, music, or image from the internet and include it in your upload. Even if you credit the original creator, it might still not be enough to avoid a strike.

Fair Use

There is some flexibility with something called fair use. Fair use allows you to use small parts of another's content without needing permission.

For instance, news channels often show clips or photos without direct permission from the content owner. It's essential to know if your use falls under fair use to avoid unnecessary strikes.

Using Licensed Content

If you want to use someone else's work, get explicit permission.

This can be done by:

1. Purchasing a License: Many websites offer stock images, music, and videos for a fee.
2. Direct Permissions: Sometimes reaching out directly to the content owner can give you the required permissions.

Remember, even if you alter the content, like adding commentary or editing, you might still need permission unless it qualifies under fair use.

Consequences of Unauthorized Content

If you post content without the rights:

• Copyright Claims: The content owner can file a claim, which can lead to your video being taken down.
• Strikes: Repeated offenses might result in strikes on your channel.
• Channel Deletion: In extreme cases, your entire channel can be removed if strikes accumulate quickly.

So always ensure you have the rights to the content you post to keep your channel safe and thriving.