[Discussion] YouTube's new profanity policy causing backlash among creators

[Uncrowned Guard]

YouTube's recent crackdown on profanity has caused a stir among content creators, with many expressing frustration over the changes and how they were implemented. In November, YouTube announced that it would limit ads or completely demonetize a creator's video if they swear within the first 15 seconds. This policy applies to all videos, including those that were uploaded before the change was made.

TL:DR:

• YouTube has implemented new rules for profanity on the platform, which may limit ads or completely demonetize a creator's video if they swear within the first 15 seconds.
• This rule applies to all videos, including those that were uploaded before the change.
• YouTubers are feeling the effects on their paychecks and are frustrated with YouTube's communication and inconsistent application of the rules.
• YouTube's goal is to make videos more "suitable for advertisers", but creators feel like they are being punished for content they made before the rules were put in place.
• YouTube is now promising to fix the issues, but it remains to be seen how they will address creators' concerns.

Many creators have reported that YouTube's communication regarding the policy change has been subpar, with some only finding out about the changes after going to Twitter for help. Some have also complained about the lack of clarity in how the rules are being applied, with no clear definition of what YouTube considers to be the "majority of the video."

YouTube's policy update is intended to ensure that videos are "suitable for advertisers." However, some creators argue that it is not fair to punish older videos that were made before the rules came into place. They also feel that YouTube is expecting them to create videos not only for the standards it has now, but also for those it may implement in the future.

The platform has also been criticized for its inconsistent approach to profanity, as in April, it updated its rules to allow videos with "the usage of moderate profanity (e.g., shit and bitch) in the first 30 seconds" to be monetizable. This has caused confusion among creators who may have made videos that are no longer allowed to earn ad revenue.

In response to the backlash, YouTube has promised to fix the situation. However, creators are concerned about the impact the policy change will have on their paychecks and the reach of their videos. They argue that the systems put in place by YouTube to rectify being demonetized are of little help and can initially be vague about why videos were restricted in the first place.

YouTube's new policy on profanity has caused a divide among creators, with many feeling that it is unfair, unclear, and poorly communicated. While YouTube's intentions may be to ensure that videos are suitable for advertisers, creators are concerned about the impact the policy change will have on their livelihoods and the reach of their content.

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[Katy1966]

Is this going to included rap music? I mean, you can't listen to a lot of rap these days without hearing something that shouldn't be said. 

I don't know if this will hurt YouTube or help. If they want to be more family oriented, then it makes sense. If they want more freedom of speech, then it doesn't make sense at all. 

Perhaps they need warning labels put on those videos instead of censoring them?

[Uncrowned Guard]

On 2/5/2023 at 6:01 AM, Katy1966 said:

Is this going to included rap music? I mean, you can't listen to a lot of rap these days without hearing something that shouldn't be said. 

I don't know if this will hurt YouTube or help. If they want to be more family oriented, then it makes sense. If they want more freedom of speech, then it doesn't make sense at all. 

Perhaps they need warning labels put on those videos instead of censoring them?

I feel like it is a lose-lose.  As I don't fully understand how the first 30 seconds of a video really affect anything family friendly.  If anything, it would let a parent watch a few seconds and be fooled into thinking the video is profanity free.

It sounds like it is aimed at ensuring advertisements are not followed directly by a profanity.  The end goal is to likely ensure that the intro ad is not followed by profanities or hate speech and then use AI to place the mid roll at a point that it is also safe.  I do wonder if there will be a follow-up a about profanity at the end of a video as well.  Granted most popular videos have an end card, but not all.

[Nomad]

I think there is too much profanity in the popular media and this needs to be stopped. If you cannot watch something with a 12 years old kid, it should also be blocked on public platform like youtube.

[ZandraJoi]

I can see their point however, like others have mentioned, they can easily get past those 15 seconds. Kids nowadays are, unfortunately, used to swear words. Doesn't mean it's right but some kids I hear swearing more than I ever did when I was their age!

I am not for censorship, for either side. The best bet is if people have kids to (& they should be doing this anyways) monitor their screen time.