YouTube has explained and clarified all of its rules related to hate speech issue just after the release of an EU report which has now enabled the video-makers to know which part of the content is for the benefit of the advertiser and which is not.
That EU report was debating on the fact that YouTube is still lagging behind in combating hate speech and inappropriate content as compared to other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
From one of the authentic sources and Blogs, YouTube has said that now onwards the website would not allow the adverts to appear alongside hateful, gender biased or the discriminatory content.
Many advertisers have been pulling their support from the platform after the ads kept appearing next to inappropriate content. This has raised widespread concern amongst the creators and video makers all around the globe.
They said that some changes have been made to address the concerns of advertisers for the placement of ads and promotional materials. YouTube further said that they have improved their communication with the video makers and audience in order to address their queries. They are now much concerned about their commitment with advertisers by confirming several times on the placement of ad as every brand has its own specific requirements and audiences.
Now YouTube has been managing all of its unsuitable content after receiving multiple complaints when number of ads were wrongly placed with unsuitable videos.
Similarly, according to different statistics, Facebook, Microsoft, YouTube, and Twitter have removed approx 59% of the hate speech when it was reported which is more than double of the 28% cases which have been recorded in the span of six months earlier. But on the other side, the overall public opinion is mixed and most of the bloggers are not happy at all with these rules and claiming it to be too strict which will eventually affect their income sooner or later.
There is also a point to remember that those videos which are according to the terms and conditions of YouTube will remain on the website, only the videos having ‘hateful content’ will be stopped from earning from their ads. YouTubers have also been accused earlier about the censorship rules as many videos were flagged as violation or disturbing as per the set guidelines.
Some advertisers have also started pulling off their ads from YouTube as they have numerous concerns about the placement of their ads on the website. So, now the company is conducting many conversations with the advertisers, promoters, etc for gaining back their trusts and implementing more constructive step to improved their relations with marketers.
What gave rise to YouTube crunch?
Let’s have a look on what led to YouTube fuss. Last August, many YouTube celebrities and stars started complaining that their shared videos have been flagged as not being advertiser-friendly so they would no longer be earning any kind of ad revenues. It was a shock for many YouTubers as earlier they used to get hefty returns from ads. So, this public announcement by YouTube helped to understand that what type of content will not be able to earn money on the websites and can be flagged as inappropriate.
That means no monetization for that video content which will be violating the guidelines. Similarly, in December Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have launched a combined database of terrorists and their activities uncovering all of their associated networks. So, the new guidelines are also very useful in removing such content. It is true that the rules are too strict and may cause loss in the earnings of many YouTubers.
Hateful content as described by YouTube
YouTube describes ‘hateful’ content as any kind of video that elevates the idea of discrimination or humiliates the people on the basis of their , color, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, social or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristics which are associated with the discrimination and biasness. Similarly, the website also refuses to place any kind of ads which have were earlier placed next to or closed to the videos and are using the disrespectful and abusive language which causes shame and insult to any particular group or individual.
Moreover, the rules are so restricted that they also discourage the video/filmmakers in making parody or humor based videos and using any popular entertainment world characters in it. Some time back, few video makers selected some of the famous cartoon characters and made videos by incorporating them. It was not a clear dismissive act of copyright law but still the revenue and earning cannot be made with this kind of video.
Problems in YouTube’s strategy for identifying ‘hateful content’
As YouTube has already announced that those videos which are not that much advertiser-friendly or of not much use but they can also stay on the websites as long as the video does not violate any of the copyright issues and guidelines. But there is much confusion and doubts behind this step of YouTube.
One of the active users have researched well and came up with an issue that the particular algorithm used by the YouTube has been used to detect whether a video may contain any inappropriate content is not perfect at all. He is emphasizing on the important of context behind the words of the video makers or creators which is much important and needs to be addressed well.
Similarly, someone else also pointed out that the mainstream network of news often posts some crucial studio kind of debates and discussions that are demeaning sometimes. While some other videos also exceed the boundaries of sexually explicit content in the name of paid advertisements.
So, always the creator and video makers are being blamed and not the platform itself for having double standard in their fetching process. Further, the website has also claimed that it would continue working with the same spirit for improving the overall ecosystem of video makers, advertisers, and the users.
How to find out that which video can help in earning money?
The video website, YouTube, has already shared details about different types of content that many companies and brands have labeled as inappropriate for advertising. Such videos will not receive any ads or promotional materials as explained in the new guidelines. This would help visitors to easily find appropriate video content with proper ads. According to the new rules, there are three major categories of content:
- Hateful speech and content
The content that promotes the idea of discrimination or humiliates the people on the basis of their, color, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, social or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristics which are associated with discrimination and biasness.
- Inappropriate way to publicize the entertainment characters
Content that uses the family entertainment characters in a sexual, violent or in an inappropriate behavior for the purpose of comedy or sarcasm.
- Demeaning content
The video content that uses foul or abusive language which indirectly or directly insults or brings shame to some group or person.
So, apart from all of this above-mentioned video content; any type of video you make is good for monetizing and earning repute.