Creators have taken to Twitter to voice their opinions after it appeared YouTube had enforced new restrictions on the types of content that can be monetised.
US YouTuber Philip DeFranco recently revealed that his video Leaked Video of SJW LOSING IT Blows Up In Her Face was no longer eligible for monetisation on YouTube, as it contained content that “might not be appropriate for advertising”:
Seems like @Youtube will be stripping most of my advertising from now on. Oh well.
I'm not going to censor myself. pic.twitter.com/a9upZh6eTY
— Philip DeFranco (@PhillyD) August 31, 2016
In later tweets, Philip stated that advertising had been retroactively removed from several other videos on his channel. Screengrabbing YouTube’s guidelines for advertiser-friendly content, which state what may be deemed inappropriate, Philip suggested the restriction on “controversial or sensitive subjects and events, including subjects related to war, political conflicts, natural disasters and tragedies, even if graphic imagery is not shown” might be “part of the reason”.
Following Philip’s comments, a slew of creators tweeted that their videos had also been stripped of advertisements:
YouTube disabled ads on my DEPRESSION video cus advisers dont like it. Sorry depression isn't fucking pretty enough… pic.twitter.com/YXs0YFGVAb
— spook cutforth✨ (@LukeIsNotSexy) August 31, 2016
YouTube's new update means ads are disabled on my acne videos because advertisers don't like it. Seriously @YouTube? pic.twitter.com/DoMokuvJvn
— Melanie Murphy (@melaniietweets) August 31, 2016
We've had a few videos unmonetized so far – time will tell the true impact. I think I'm more annoyed about how badly @YouTube handles it.
— Alex Smith (@alsmiffy) September 1, 2016
Sorry ladies, talking about all the things creeps have done to you in the street isn't "appropriate for advertising" pic.twitter.com/TzyJEf96Fp
— EllenRosefromthedead (@icklenellierose) September 1, 2016
Many creators have also expressed their distaste for the platform’s actions:
yeah so if i end up cutting down on swearing it's because youtube now officially chooses companies over its users https://t.co/j1LnEC1gQo
— Emma Blackery (@emmablackery) August 31, 2016
#YouTubeIsOverParty
YT is NOT over, but by golly this is a game changer. Potential careers, livelihoods, freedom of speech are all OVER tho.— Beckie Jane Brown (@BeckieJBrown) September 1, 2016
I don't care one bit about ad revenue money. It's just gross to see segregation of mental health by a giant corporation and social network..
— spook cutforth✨ (@LukeIsNotSexy) August 31, 2016
(An advertising-funded Internet will always, ultimately, be driven by advertisers and not users.)
— John Green (@johngreen) September 1, 2016
In response, YouTube tweeted that there had been “no policy change”, and creators were instead seeing “an improved notification process”:
@PhillyD No policy change here; just an improved notification process to ensure creators can appeal: https://t.co/mlfpbBvacg
— Team YouTube (@TeamYouTube) September 1, 2016
According to Gizmodo, YouTube was “trying to be more transparent when notifying users” about demonetisation, via new features like “easy-to-see notifications and an appeals process”.
The initial negative reaction led to the hashtag #YouTubeIsOverParty on Twitter, which is currently trending, with many people tweeting their anger at the platform.
Philip DeFranco has been provided with a statement by YouTube, which will be covered in his next video.
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