YouTube as a video search engine is pretty reliant on users that are trying to create content on the platform. This is because of the fact that a lot of people that use YouTube do so because they can find content that they relate to or are entertained by, and this is why the video streaming service started to offer ad revenue shares to these content creators in order to provide them with a way to start earning money that would help sustain their careers, thereby creating the concept of a “YouTuber” and "Influencer" in the world of media.
However, recent changes to YouTube’s terms of service have made a lot of YouTubers, especially newer creators, rather nervous about the kind of future they might have on Google-owned platform. The concern among these YouTubers is that if they are not as profitable and don’t bring in a large amount of revenue, they might no longer be allowed to make content on YouTube or they might be removed from the YouTube partner program which would effectively end their careers and make it impossible for them to continue on any other platform because no platform has the kind of audience that YouTube has to offer.
However, YouTube has clarified that this change is not going to impact creators, and that it is only meant to apply to Google properties. This is definitely going to give content creators on the platforms the chance to take a sigh of relief. Their source of income is often under threat, and they will be glad to know that they no longer have to worry about things like this impacting them, at least in the short term. Users that were concerned that their accounts would be suspended if they used ad blockers will also not have to worry about anything because the terms of service do not apply to them either.
Yet social media users criticizing YouTube for just providing explanations instead of actually updating the ToS page.
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However, recent changes to YouTube’s terms of service have made a lot of YouTubers, especially newer creators, rather nervous about the kind of future they might have on Google-owned platform. The concern among these YouTubers is that if they are not as profitable and don’t bring in a large amount of revenue, they might no longer be allowed to make content on YouTube or they might be removed from the YouTube partner program which would effectively end their careers and make it impossible for them to continue on any other platform because no platform has the kind of audience that YouTube has to offer.
However, YouTube has clarified that this change is not going to impact creators, and that it is only meant to apply to Google properties. This is definitely going to give content creators on the platforms the chance to take a sigh of relief. Their source of income is often under threat, and they will be glad to know that they no longer have to worry about things like this impacting them, at least in the short term. Users that were concerned that their accounts would be suspended if they used ad blockers will also not have to worry about anything because the terms of service do not apply to them either.
Sorry for the confusion. The "commercially viable" section is about discontinuing certain features or parts of the service bc they are outdated or have low usage – not about terminating an account bc it’s not making money. This does not impact creators or viewers in new ways.— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) November 11, 2019
To clarify, there are no new rights in our ToS to terminate an account bc it’s not making money. As before, we may discontinue certain YouTube features or parts of the service, for ex., if they're outdated or have low usage. This does not impact creators/viewers in any new ways.— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) November 11, 2019
Yet social media users criticizing YouTube for just providing explanations instead of actually updating the ToS page.
And if it doesn't affect the creators and viewer.. then I would highly suggest changing the wording ASAP. That just sounds like one nasty can of worms just waiting to be opened.— Nova Leary (@Viper2War) November 12, 2019
If the "clarified" TOS is meant to inform us that certain features on YouTube may be ended, then you need to update the TOS again because, the way it's phrased now, everyone who read it thought it was saying YouTube will ban accounts for not being profitable to YouTube. pic.twitter.com/8UDcv0ASzs— Possum Reviews (@ReviewsPossum) November 12, 2019
If that's the case, write it better. I've been crying a whole day because I was afraid to lose my gmail account. I have schoolworks in it you know, @YouTube ?— Ana Beatriz Caetano (@DogMicro) November 12, 2019
Please fix the wording in your Terms of Service then. You have me worried about my channel still.— Asha Skywalker (@Vasilisa995) November 12, 2019
Read next: YouTube Studio Gets End of Year Update
