What is a YouTube strike?

A YouTube strike, also known as a Community Guidelines strike or simply a strike, is a penalty issued by YouTube to a channel for violating its Community Guidelines or copyright policies. Strikes are intended to enforce YouTube's rules and maintain a safe, respectful, and lawful environment for users and creators on the platform. Here's what you need to know about YouTube strikes:

1. **Types of Strikes**:
   - **Community Guidelines Strike**: This type of strike is issued when a channel violates YouTube's Community Guidelines, which govern content such as hate speech, harassment, violence, and spam. Community Guidelines strikes can result from uploading or live streaming content that violates YouTube's rules.
   - **Copyright Strike**: A copyright strike is issued when a channel uploads content that infringes on someone else's copyright. This can include using copyrighted material without permission, such as music, images, video clips, or other content owned by another party.

2. **Consequences**:
   - **First Strike**: When a channel receives its first Community Guidelines or copyright strike, the channel may face penalties such as the removal of the violating content, a temporary suspension of certain features (such as live streaming), and a warning notification from YouTube.
   - **Second Strike**: If a channel receives a second strike within 90 days of the first strike, additional penalties may be imposed, including a temporary suspension of the channel's ability to upload new content for a period of two weeks.
   - **Third Strike**: If a channel receives a third strike within 90 days of the second strike, the channel may be subject to termination, resulting in the permanent removal of the channel from YouTube.

3. **Appeals Process**:
   - Channels that believe a strike was issued in error or that they have remedied the violation can appeal the strike through YouTube's appeals process. The appeals process allows creators to provide additional context or evidence to support their case and request a review of the strike by YouTube's trust and safety team.
   - If the appeal is successful, the strike may be removed from the channel's record, and any associated penalties may be lifted. However, if the appeal is denied, the strike will remain in effect, and the associated penalties will continue to apply.

4. **Strike Removal**:
   - Community Guidelines strikes expire after 90 days if there are no additional violations during that time. Copyright strikes remain on a channel's record indefinitely unless successfully appealed or resolved through other means, such as reaching a settlement with the copyright owner.

Overall, YouTube strikes are a mechanism for enforcing YouTube's policies and ensuring compliance with its rules. Creators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with YouTube's Community Guidelines and copyright policies to avoid violations and potential strikes.

A YouTube strike, also known as a community guidelines strike or a copyright strike, is a penalty issued by YouTube to a channel for violating its community guidelines or copyright policies. There are two main types of strikes on YouTube:

1. **Community Guidelines Strike**: A community guidelines strike is issued when a channel violates YouTube's community guidelines, which outline the rules and standards for acceptable behavior and content on the platform. Community guidelines strikes may be issued for violations such as hate speech, harassment, violence, spam, or other prohibited content. Channels that receive multiple community guidelines strikes may face penalties, including restrictions on account features, temporary suspension, or termination of the channel.

2. **Copyright Strike**: A copyright strike is issued when a channel uploads content that infringes on someone else's copyright. Copyright strikes are typically issued in response to a valid copyright takedown notice submitted by the copyright owner. Channels that receive multiple copyright strikes may face penalties, including restrictions on account features, temporary suspension, or termination of the channel.

Both community guidelines strikes and copyright strikes have consequences that may impact the affected channel's ability to upload, monetize, or engage with their audience on YouTube. Creators should be aware of YouTube's policies and guidelines to avoid violations that could lead to strikes and potential penalties.