YouTube guidelines are quite strict for all and those who are unable to comply with the guidelines will get banned on the platform. However, YouTube also incorporates temporary rules based different regions or the global socio-political situation and a lot of channel can get banned for that. YouTube previous banned a lot of channels during the phase of COVID-19 pandemic and during election for the integrity rules. The platform is currently looking forward improve its approach for content moderation and a major shift is about to take place.

YouTube is willing to reinstate the banned channels on YouTube that were banned during the pandemic situation and the American elections. YouTube has terminated a handful of channels for repeated violations of policies. However, those policies are “no longer in effect,” and so the banned channels are allowed back. This latest update has been announced by YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet, which shared this information in a letter to Congress.

What did Alphabet say in the letter?

• Alphabet claimed that it has faced pressure from outside to remove content by some users. From now on, it will only prioritize “free expression” and no Government can interfere in that for political reasons.
• Just like Twitter or X has already; YouTube is also looking forward to replace some fact-checking mechanisms with context notes which allow users to add clarification to the fact.

What it means is that reinstated channels on YouTube will be able to utilize YouTube ads again. It means more inventory, along with potential brand-safety concerns, as it is not certain how advertisers are going to use these channels.

• This shift in policy can help to expand opportunities to reach on YouTube. However, it will need close monitoring for placements as there is high chance of getting adjacent with a controversial content which can lead to ban again.
• The suspended creators can return to the platform again, and that will increase competition for both views and monetization.

YouTube sent the letter to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, which reads, “Reflecting the Company’s commitment to free expression, YouTube will provide an opportunity for all creators to rejoin the platform if the Company terminated their channels for repeated violations of COVID-19 and elections integrity policies that are no longer in effect.” The five-page correspondence further reads, “YouTube values conservative voices on its platform and recognizes that these creators have extensive reach and play an important role in civic discourse. The Company recognizes these creators are among those shaping today’s online consumption, landing ‘must-watch’ interviews, giving viewers the chance to hear directly from politicians, celebrities, business leaders, and more.” 

It is quite reasonable decision from YouTube amidst this situation where American Government, aka, Trump Administration is getting more unstable everyday with some illogical decision making. However, the decision to ban such channels was taken during the Biden Administration. White House counterterrorism chief Sebastian Gorka and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino were also banned on YouTube for their content choices. However, each of them has managed to create a huge audience base on social media platforms even after getting banned from YouTube.

YouTube has blamed the Biden administration for limiting political speech on its platform, as the letter further reads, “Senior Biden Administration officials, including White House officials, conducted repeated and sustained outreach to Alphabet and pressed the Company regarding certain user-generated content related to the COVID-19 pandemic that did not violate its policies.” It further added, “While the Company continued to develop and enforce its policies independently, Biden Administration officials continued to press the Company to remove non-violative user-generated content.”

The guidelines for YouTube have been changed after former President of the United States, Joe Biden, took office and his administration pledged the platform would remove all kinds of content on COVID-19, as many of the channel owners or YouTubers claimed that drinking bleach can help to cure the COVID-19 disease. A similar suggestion was made by current President Donald Trump back in 2020. Alphabet has addressed Biden administration’s decisions as “unacceptable” and “wrong.” However, YouTube could do nothing but allow users to add context notes to their video content. The new changes on YouTube or the new decision to unbanned is addressed as “another victory in the fight against censorship,” which is definitely a ‘massive win’ for the citizens of America.

It goes without saying that the current President, Donald Trump, has been banned from both Twitter and Meta after January 6th. However, when Trump’s best friend Elon Musk bought Twitter and renamed it as X, he decided to welcome back Trump as well as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Alex Jones. When Trump again started his campaign for reelection in 2023, he was allowed to use Meta again.

The Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are both keeping a close proximity with Donald Trump and allowing their platforms to be used for government use and election campaigns. If the Government can have the right to make posts freely, the same rights should be provided to the billions of users on the platform. Big Tech Giants and social platforms have been working on the guardrails of free speech since last year, as adjustments are required to be made as soon as possible. With the latest letter by Alphabet; it is confirmed that YouTube is has enough clarity with what they are going to do in the coming days.

Final Thoughts

It is good news for the owners of the banded channels on YouTube that their artistic freedom and freedom of speech will be reinstated. But it also makes it difficult for them to gain popularity back after all these years of the ban. The banned YouTube channels which will become active again must hire a professional agency like Videoipsum that can help to clear the competition and help to standout in the modern landscape. The company provides highly effective YouTube Ad campaigns within an affordable price. Visit to know more.

Comments

Leave A Reply

Name :

Email ID :

Comment :