The new YouTube Heroes initiative will allow creators to gain points and use tools to moderate community content.
A video announcing the new initiative was uploaded by YouTube Help on 20 September. In the description, YouTube Heroes is referred to as “a global community of volunteer contributors who help create the best possible YouTube experience for everyone.”
YouTube Heroes will work through a system of five levels, which can be unlocked by reaching a certain amount of points. Points are earned by making contributions to the community, such as flagging inappropriate videos, answering questions on the YouTube forum, and adding captions to videos. Each level offers different benefits, including access to the “Heroes Dashboard” at Level One and testing products before they are released at Level Five.
YouTube have not announced a date for the launch of the initiative, but have shared a sign- up form for anyone interested in getting involved.
The announcment has prompted criticism from the YouTube community, including a parody video by Emma Blackery:
Daniel Hardcastle also uploaded a video criticising the initiative and suggesting ways in which it could be improved.
Other creators have expressed concern about YouTube Heroes on Twitter, especially regarding the possible misuse of tools such as “mass-flagging”:
The "Youtube Heroes" program seems a bit like throwing everyone who wants one, a gun and badge, because you didn't build up a police force. pic.twitter.com/Ga4pS5nW7T
— Philip DeFranco (@PhillyD) September 21, 2016
YouTube Heroes: The heroes that YouTube neither deserves nor needs. pic.twitter.com/sXnLeDDquX
— Dan Bull 🍐 (@itsDanBull) September 22, 2016
"do our job for us!" is essentially youtube heroes. what's preventing mass spamming raids for points?
— psychicpebbles (@psychicpebble) September 22, 2016
YouTube Help disabled comments on the announcement video, which also prompted criticism:
So nice that YouTube have turned off comments on this https://t.co/sudcWvUNNq
They really are listening.
— Sexy Weebl Costume (@TheWeebl) September 22, 2016
Youtube uploads video about boosting the community with "Youtube Heroes" but turns off the comments? Sending a great message
— jacksepticeye (@Jack_Septic_Eye) September 21, 2016
They disabled comments on the youtube heroes video?
am I trapped in some sort of Orwellian nightmare?— BOO!gie2988 (@Boogie2988) September 22, 2016
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