YouTube Guidelines for New Creators

Published by Ditto Team · 3 min read · 7 months ago

YouTube content creators must follow specific rules to avoid the risk of channel deletion. This article provides a comprehensive overview of YouTube’s content moderation process, detailing the automated and human review systems that flag and assess content. It also outlines key actions that can lead to channel deletion, such as keyword stuffing, comment spamming, and violations related to child safety and misinformation. Additionally, practical advice is offered to help creators maintain compliance, such as using separate accounts for different channels and clearly labeling fan content. By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, creators can safeguard their channels and ensure continued success on the platform.

YouTube’s Content Moderation Process

YouTube employs a combined approach to content moderation, using AI and user flags. The AI scans various elements of the video, including titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and the actual content for material that may contravene YouTube’s guidelines. This automated process is complemented by a system where viewers can flag content they find inappropriate. YouTube employees review flagged content, although initial actions may be taken based on the AI’s assessment alone. In cases of dispute, the matter may involve human review. The range of actions YouTube may take includes imposing age restrictions, demonetization, and issuing strikes against the channel. Accumulating three strikes results in the deletion of the channel.

Actions Leading to Channel Deletion

Channels can be deleted for various reasons. One channel’s violations can delete all linked channels. Keyword stuffing, spam comments, misleading metadata, unauthorized content, and impersonation are significant violations that could lead to strikes. For instance, using deceptive titles or thumbnails, posting content without proper permissions, or mimicking other channels without clear distinction as fan channels can incur penalties. Additionally, AI-generated content must be disclosed to avoid strikes, and content featuring children must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure their safety.

Explicit content, violent or shocking material, and misinformation are strictly prohibited. Content that promotes or enables illegal activities, or violates YouTube’s firearms policies, can also lead to strikes. Furthermore, cyberbullying and harassment are taken seriously and can result in channel deletion.

Practical Advice

To reduce deletion risk, content creators should consider using separate Google accounts for each channel. This practice helps isolate potential issues to a single channel rather than risking all associated channels. When dealing with content that might fall under fair use, creators should ensure proper permissions. Label fan channels clearly to avoid impersonation issues, and disclose AI-generated content transparently. Be cautious with content featuring minors, adhering strictly to YouTube’s guidelines to ensure their safety.

Creators should avoid sensitive topics like misinformation or firearms, steering clear of controversial subjects that could lead to strikes. By following these guidelines, content creators can significantly reduce the risk of their YouTube channels being deleted.

Key Points on YouTube Channel Deletion Risks

YouTube’s Content Moderation Process

  1. AI and Viewer Flagging: YouTube employs artificial intelligence to examine titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and video content for inappropriate material. Viewers can also flag content.
  2. Human Review: YouTube employees review flagged content, although initial actions may occur without human oversight. Disputes may involve human review.
  3. Consequences: Actions range from age restrictions and demonetization to strikes. Accumulating three strikes results in channel deletion.

Actions Leading to Channel Deletion

  1. Associated Account Violations: One channel’s violations can delete all linked channels.
  2. Keyword Stuffing: Irrelevant keywords in descriptions can result in strikes under misleading metadata policies.
  3. Comment Spamming: Spam comments can lead to channel deletion.
  4. Misleading Metadata: Deceptive titles or thumbnails can result in strikes.
  5. Unauthorized Content: Posting content without proper permissions can lead to strikes unless it falls under fair use.
  6. Impersonation: Channels mimicking others without clear distinction as fan channels can be deleted.
  7. Synthetic Content: AI-generated content must be disclosed to avoid strikes.
  8. Child Safety Violations: Follow guidelines for content with children.
  9. Nudity and Sexual Content: Explicit content is prohibited.
  10. Violent or Graphic Content: Violent or shocking content is not allowed.
  11. Misinformation: Misinformation about elections or health can lead to strikes.
  12. Cyberbullying and Harassment: Targeted harassment or bullying can result in channel deletion.
  13. Firearms Policies: Content related to guns must adhere strictly to YouTube’s guidelines.
  14. Illegal Activities: Content promoting or enabling illegal activities is prohibited.

Practical Advice

  • Separate Accounts: Use separate Google accounts for each channel.
  • Fair Use: Ensure fair use compliance.
  • Impersonation: Label fan channels clearly.
  • AI Disclosure: Disclose AI-generated content.
  • Child Safety: Be cautious with minors’ content.
  • Avoid Controversial Topics: Avoid sensitive topics like misinformation or firearms.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can minimize the risk of your YouTube channel being deleted.


Understanding and adhering to YouTube’s guidelines is crucial for maintaining a successful and compliant channel. Platforms like DittoDub.com offer valuable services for creators aiming to expand their reach globally. DittoDub.com utilizes AI to translate and dub YouTube videos into multiple languages, keeping the creator’s voice. It simplifies uploading, transcript validation, and publishing, making it an excellent tool for YouTubers aiming to grow their audience and revenue worldwide.

Common Questions

What combination of systems does YouTube use for content moderation?

YouTube employs a combined approach to content moderation using AI and user flags.

What happens when a YouTube channel accumulates three strikes?

Accumulating three strikes results in the deletion of the channel.

Can violations on one channel affect other linked channels?

Yes, one channel's violations can delete all linked channels.

What are some actions that can lead to channel deletion?

Keyword stuffing, comment spamming, misleading metadata, unauthorized content, impersonation, synthetic content violations, child safety violations, explicit content, violent or graphic content, misinformation, cyberbullying, harassment, firearms policies violations, and promoting illegal activities.

What should creators do to avoid issues with fair use content?

Creators should ensure proper permissions for content that might fall under fair use.

Why is it recommended to use separate Google accounts for each channel?

Using separate Google accounts helps isolate potential issues to a single channel rather than risking all associated channels.

What must be disclosed to avoid strikes related to synthetic content?

AI-generated content must be disclosed to avoid strikes.

What type of content is strictly prohibited on YouTube?

Explicit content, violent or shocking material, and misinformation are strictly prohibited.

How should fan channels be labeled to avoid impersonation issues?

Fan channels should be clearly labeled to avoid impersonation issues.

What advice is given regarding content featuring minors?

Creators should be cautious with content featuring minors and adhere strictly to YouTube's guidelines to ensure their safety.

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