YouTube’s new policies demonetize more gaming content

In November 2022, YouTube revealed updates to its content moderation policies which resulted in increasing demonetization rates for esports content creators. 

The new measures went into effect at the end of December. Following the update, many content creators have reported that their videos had been demonetized, namely those featuring survival games such as The Callisto Protocol or Dead by Daylight.

Reasons for demonetization

The platform’s guidelines offer creators greater transparency on how videos are evaluated for demonetization. YouTube has also provided a specific list for esports content creators, where the main issues for content are violence and inappropriate language.

While many games will have no problem monetizing if creators respect all regulations, it is unlikely that in 2023, videos featuring “violent games” will be able to monetize, as these can include strong images and explicit content.

Dissatisfaction among creators

This change in the monetization policy on YouTube undoubtedly creates disinterest among creators of action video game content. Otherwise, they would risk that YouTube will not pay them for their time invested. Let’s remember that YouTube, along with content creators, is one of the essential marketing channels for video game companies.

It seems impossible that, as a consequence of the new policies, developers will decide to moderate violent content in the following titles. Similarly, these measures could drastically affect esports such as CS:GO.

This policy change also applies to previous streamers’ videos, which means that their passive income could be drastically reduced at any moment.

Aspects that YouTube verifies

YouTube reviewers verify that the channel complies with the policies and conditions. Likewise, they can’t review all the videos of each channel, so they focus on the following aspects.

• Main topic
• Most viewed videos
• Most recent videos
• Videos with the longest playing time
• Video metadata (including titles, thumbnails, and descriptions)

Generally, they review these aspects on channels, but reviewers can check other parts of the channel.

How YouTube’s monetization policies are enforced

Everyone who generates money with YouTube must follow all of its policies mandatorily. If the creators violate the rules, the platform may take measures such as those listed below:

• Disable content ads
• Suspending your participation in YouTube’s partner program
• Suspending or even shutting down your YouTube channel

Tips for monetizing video game content

If you participate in the YouTube Partner Program, you can receive a percentage of ad revenue. Below are a few examples related to video game topics.

Inappropriate language

• Swear words should be censored
• Avoid hate speech

Violence

• Avoid clips of explicit violence
• Avoid showing dead bodies

Controversial topics

Avoid words:

• Suicide
• Child abuse
• Pedophilia
• Sexual abuse
• Domestic violence

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