Getting demonetized on YouTube can severely impact creators’ ad revenue, but it doesn’t happen without reason. YouTube must carefully manage the types of content uploaded to its platform because of how its payout structure works. Using AdSense to monetize inappropriate or violent content could be seen as a tacit endorsement, and because of this, advertisers don’t want their ads running on the wrong videos.
However, if YouTube demonetizes your videos, there’s likely a simple process to follow to get your revenue flowing again. Read on to learn about what to do if you’ve been demonetized and how to fix it.
What does ‘demonetized’ mean on YouTube?
When you join the YouTube Partner Program, you agree to specific policies regarding what video content you can monetize. For example, your videos must not contain hate speech, violence, or copyright infringement. When YouTube’s Trust & Safety algorithm detects a video that violates those policies, it flags it, and leadership decides whether to demonetize it.
YouTube demonetization means the creator will no longer receive ad revenue from the affected video. Google AdSense might still run ads on the video, but the YouTube creator won’t receive any income. If a content creator repeatedly violates content policies, YouTube might even demonetize their entire channel. YouTubers can check YouTube Studio to see their monetization status.
YouTube demonetization rules: 5 tips to protect your revenue
The main way to avoid YouTube demonetization is to follow Google’s Community Guidelines to the letter. If you can do that, you’ll never have to worry about your videos getting demonetized.
Here are five tips to help you stay on the right side of each policy and maintain revenue from video content.
1. Guarantee your content’s integrity
You’ve probably noticed a lot of spammy, clickbait content on YouTube, but it doesn’t pay to join in. Channels that make that sort of content will eventually get demonetized or even banned from uploading anything. It may take some time, and you’ll have to compete with spam as it comes and goes, but maintaining your integrity by only creating videos with accurate, unique content is the best path forward.
2. Avoid sensitive content
One of the more common reasons for YouTube demonetization is inappropriate content that includes profanity, hate speech, or violence. Remember that children watch YouTube, too, so it’s important to keep your content accessible and appropriate for all audiences. Here are some common issues to avoid in your video content:
- Incendiary or derogatory language: Avoid maligning people in your videos and always keep your comments respectful, even when voicing disagreement.
- Violence: Don’t show violence that might scare or trigger some viewers.
- Controversial issues: You don’t have to avoid controversial issues entirely, but it’s best to navigate them respectfully and appeal to your audience’s better nature.
- Hate speech: Review YouTube’s hate speech policy carefully to understand how to avoid saying anything harmful to specific groups of viewers.
3. Use a subscription model
YouTube monetization comes entirely from ad revenue, so demonetization directly impacts YouTubers’ income. Creators who pivot to a subscription-based model with Vimeo Streaming can protect themselves from the unpredictable nature of Google AdSense. With a subscription model, you make a reliable income based on the number of subscribers, and your audience can watch your videos without ads.
4. Understand EDSA exceptions
Educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic (EDSA) content gets an exception when it must violate the Community Guidelines to convey its meaning accurately. For example, if your video covers current events, you might need to describe violence or hate speech committed by others. To monetize a video that references those events, you must meet three criteria:
- Basic facts: Your video must reference who’s involved, what’s happening, and why, while citing sources for the information.
- Condemnation: You must clearly state that the purpose of including the violation is to condemn its content or offer opposing viewpoints.
- Discouragement: You must communicate to viewers that they shouldn’t imitate the content that violates Community Guidelines.
5. Use content ratings
In YouTube Studio, you can mark whether the video is appropriate for children. Doing so gives you some breathing room in what might normally constitute a Community Guidelines violation. However, Google AdSense prioritizes videos that aren’t age-restricted, so you won’t get as much ad revenue from content that’s restricted to adult viewers. Still, YouTube is less likely to demonetize your entire channel if you properly label your videos.
What happens when you get demonetized on YouTube, and what can you do?
When your YouTube content gets demonetized, they’ll usually send you an email that explains why. You can then review the guidelines to discover what the violation was and how you can correct it. Once you have that information, here’s what you can do.
Appeal the decision
YouTube’s Trust & Safety team reviews several hundred videos every day, and it’s possible they made a mistake. If you feel they unfairly demonetized your video, you can respond to the email to begin an appeal process. Note precisely why you believe they were in error, and ask them to describe exactly where the issue is in your video, giving you timestamps if possible.
Edit the video and reupload
Review the video closely, looking for what flagged the demonetization algorithm. Cut the section that was flagged or edit it to remove the violation. Then, reupload the video. Check your YouTube Studio account to see if the video gets demonetized again — if so, you may need to review the video again or contact YouTube for more information.
Create a new YouTube channel
If YouTube demonetized your entire channel, it can be difficult to get them to reverse that decision. You’re better off deleting your YouTube channel and creating a new channel to upload content. Take down all your videos, remove anything violating YouTube Partner Program policies, and reupload them to your new channel.
Switch to a new platform
With YouTube’s monetization so focused on AdSense and ad revenue, you’ll find demonetization extremely disruptive to your channel’s income. For a more sustainable, predictable income, you can move your YouTube videos to Vimeo Streaming and set up your monetization model using subscribers, on-demand videos, or live events. That way, you aren’t beholden to advertisers or the YouTube Partner Program’s policies.
Demonetization FAQ
Is YouTube demonetizing AI videos?
AI-generated content usually violates one or more of YouTube’s guidelines, especially those surrounding unique content or copyright infringement. YouTube creators sharing AI-generated videos must ensure they aren’t uploading spammy or clickbait content.
Does YouTube make money off demonetized videos?
Yes. YouTube demonetization doesn’t mean they stop running ads on a video. Instead, it means the creator will no longer receive ad revenue. YouTube is significantly less likely to run ads on a demonetized video because advertisers could object to their ads appearing next to inappropriate content.
How long does it take to get remonetized on YouTube?
Appealing a YouTube demonetization involves a manual process in which someone reviews appeals on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the backlog and the violation, that process could take days to several weeks. That loss of ad revenue could significantly impact your income, so it’s best to follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines and avoid disruptions.
Why does YouTube demonetize so many videos?
YouTube is a massive platform with a lot of liability, and hosting inappropriate content could land them in legal trouble. When YouTube demonetization instances increase, it’s usually because some current event stoked a new or renewed interest in protecting viewers, copyrights, or advertisers.
Why did YouTube demonetize my content?
Demonetization usually occurs because the video violated one of Google’s Community Guidelines. When a creator’s video gets demonetized, they’ll receive an email telling them why it happened. You’ll also notice an alert next to the video in YouTube Studio that marks videos YouTube has demonetized.
Switch to Vimeo for a creator-first platform
YouTube demonetization happens because YouTube’s primary focus is on its advertisers — encouraging its creators is secondary. Vimeo, on the other hand, is a creator-first platform that gives you complete control over your channel. You determine how to monetize your videos via on-demand content or subscribers, or by running your own ads from advertisers who sponsor your content.
Vimeo gives you the tools to launch a branded channel with global payment options, a customizable platform, and lightning-fast hosting services that can help you reach an international audience. Join a growing community of creators like Martha Stewart, World of Wonder, and Try Guys, who run their subscription businesses on Vimeo Streaming.
Upload your videos to Vimeo today.
