The problem is the new Advertiser-friendly content guidelines which are, as you might have expected, a set of tips for not falling foul of a blocking axe and an otherwise uninterrupted stream of enlightening video postings. If you believe these claims to be unfair, the message continued, you are able to appeal them.
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While news of YouTube’s actual intentions have started to spread, there’s still an air of uncertainty for many content creators.
In other efforts to make the platform increasingly appealing to content creators, Twitter now offers the new Media Studio library of users’ videos, GIFs and images that also enables tweet scheduling and planning, as well as tools for managing multiple accounts. Nadeshot, a popular gamer, called YouTube’s policy “low key terrifying”, while Jenna Marbles went as far as to cry conspiracy.
YouTube has responded to reports that it has changed the way it approves videos for monetization on the site after some creators accused the video platform of favoring advertisers over users.
On the YouTube Help page, it states that creators who’ve posted content that’s “not advertiser-friendly” will be alerted directly either via email or a yellow dollar sign in the video manager that will notify them of demonetization. At present, creators can appeal to have videos re-reviewed though it’s not clear what that process looks like, how long it takes, or if backpay is given to creators whose videos are demonetized in error.
“Advertiser-friendly content is content that’s appropriate for all audiences”.
YouTube is one of the most successful websites on the Internet with thousands of vloggers generating BILLIONS in revenue each year.
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Even relatively innocent creators such as Melanie Murphy have been affected, with her acne videos being demonetised for “graphic content”. On the other hand, YouTube is protecting its advertisers from potentially being associated with controversial content. Many videos will not meet 100% of those guidelines, but that does not mean they will be automatically flagged by the YouTube algorithm. With the update now being rolled out, they will receive an email notifying them when a video has been demonetized, and a yellow dollar sign ($) will appear next to the video title on their Video Manager page, along with the message “not advertiser-friendly”.
