New YouTube test brings the ability for creators to edit videos that violate community guidelines

YouTube's community guidelines aim to create a safe and respectful platform by prohibiting hate speech, harassment, and harmful content, including violence, misinformation, and dangerous activities. For example, in August 2024, IShowSpeed's channel reportedly received a strike for "dangerous activities" after he attempted to jump over two cars during a livestream.

Violations can lead to strikes, demonetization, or permanent channel removal, with a combination of automated systems and human moderation used to maintain the integrity of the platform.

Recently though, the platform has been experimenting and has issued a test to explore the possibility of "fixable community guidelines violations."

The guidelines encompass several restrictions, including nudity, sexually explicit material, graphic violence, and content that exploits or endangers minors. Moreover, the system has been relatively strict, considering creators had to appeal to revert their strikes in the case of a community guideline violation.

---

Breaking down YouTube's new "Fixable Community Guidelines Violations" test

The platform is testing a new feature that lets creators edit content flagged for age restrictions or community guidelines violations. Hence, if the issues can be resolved through a quick edit, the age restriction will be lifted, or the video will be restored. The 'YouTube Help support page' says the following in a September 19 update.

"If the problematic portions of the video are addressed, the age restriction will be removed or the video will be put back on YouTube."

YouTube's system will also help creators understand and resolve community guidelines violations. After a warning, creators can either take policy training, appeal the warning, or leave it on their channel. While opting to take a policy training offers a chance to avoid penalties, the channel will be permanently deleted if there are three consecutive strikes in a 90-day period.

If the new test feature is implemented, creators will be able to amend their uploads in Studio, where they can make necessary edits using a video editor. Subsequently, a policy team will review the updated content before making an appropriate decision.

"Eligible creators will see the option to revise their content in Studio, and from there they can make changes to address any policy issues using a video editor. Once complete, YouTube’s policy team will review the updated version and modify the policy decision accordingly."

Content creators seem to look at this potential feature positively, especially since strikes often result in video removals, account suspensions, or even terminations, which can severely affect livelihoods.