YouTube Makes Changes To Strike Guidelines For The First Time Since 2010

It may have taken several years, but YouTube is updating its strike policy in an effort to maintain a level of clarity and consistency with users.

The long-standing policy, as part of YouTube’s community guidelines, had been a “three strike” system with the first being a 90-day livestreaming ban, the second being a two week freeze on new uploads, and the third being full removal. While the overall system isn’t changing, the first two punishments will be adjusted, the company announced Tuesday.

Starting Feb. 25, users who break a policy will receive a one-time warning. Strikes will follow for additional offenses with the first strike resulting in a one week channel freeze on all content activity. The second strike will result in a two week ban to upload new content.

YouTube will also be implementing a system that will issue a warning and remove the content in violation of YouTube’s policies. If users do get hit, strikes will reset after 90 days, retaining a piece of the original system. However, warnings will not reset.

To also ensure transparency with users, anyone who is hit with a strike will be informed as to why the strike occurred. Previously, users would only be informed of a strike by email with no clear explanation. Going forward, the notification will explain why the strike occurred and link out to the place in YouTube’s policies that explains it. Users can also choose to receive text notifications as well.

Any level of transparency that YouTube can implement can only help improve relations with all the content creators on the platform. And considering YouTube’s recent history, anything that helps improve those relationships is welcome on both sides.