In the face of backlash from creators, YouTube announced a relaxation of the controversial profanity rules introduced in November last year. The rules barred creators from monetizing their videos that contain profanity in the first 15 seconds. Now, with the rules relaxed, creators are allowed to use medium and strong profanity without fearing demonetization.
The updated policy on profanity and monetization policy is scheduled to go into effect from 8th March.
It’s still a bit vague and does not address all the concerns brought up by creators, but it will allow most creators to resume monetizing their videos.
The anti-profanity policy introduced in YouTube’s November update
The new policy that took effect in November flagged videos with profanity in the first 15 seconds and rendered them ineligible for monetization. This meant no ads would play on such videos, preventing the creators from earning revenues.
The rules also applied to profanity in music after the November update. This means the use of strong profanity in background music, intro, and outro music, and backing tracks drew the same consequence – no ad revenues. Any use of profanity in video thumbnails and titles led to demonetization too, but this policy was already in place before the update.
Videos from creators whose revenues were affected by the November policy will be re-reviewed, the company added.
While the update was meant to make YouTube videos more age-appropriate and advertiser-friendly, it was certainly retroactive. Implementing such monetization rules and restrictions on colorful language is a matter of delicate balance and can negatively affect creators if done wrong.
The November update is a perfect example, with many creators reporting a loss of their monetization status. When announcing the relaxations, YouTube admitted that the previous rules had created a much stricter approach than the company intended to incorporate.
YouTube’s updated policy on profanity and monetization
Moderate or strong profanity used after the first 7 seconds won’t attract any penalization unless used repetitively in the video.
Following the backlash against the November update, YouTube already announced in January that a modification of the policy was in the plans. The wait is finally over for creators, with YouTube revealing the updated policy on the use of profanity and its consequences on monetization. However, one might note that the relaxed policy doesn’t revert the changes made during the November update completely.
While the use of profanity will no longer result in the complete demonetization of videos, the number of ads may be limited. For instance, videos that contain profanity in the first few seconds will now receive limited advertisements.
Big changes have also been made to how the policy handles the use of profanity in music. Using moderate and strong profanities in background music, intro/outro music, and backing tracks won’t affect ad revenues. Not only will these videos be monetized again, but they will also receive the normal number of advertisements.
YouTube’s rule regarding the demonetization of videos with profanity in titles or thumbnails still stands.
While YouTube’s intentions behind the November update may have been nice, it certainly backfired. Creators affected by the update may have lost significant revenues over the last few months. The relaxation of the policy once again makes things right for creators, even if it doesn’t involve a complete reversal of the changes.
