YouTube Video Removal Controversy: Ad-Free Content Discussion

YouTube's removal of a video on ad-blocking highlights creators' struggles against platform policies.

### YouTube Controversy: Video Removal and Future Strategies
* 🚨  Over the years, the channel has faced various controversies, including **hacks**, misleading **April Fool's pranks**, and internal **copyright strikes**.
* 📉  However, a significant event occurred recently when a video titled "**DeGoogle Your Life Part Two: Ad-Free YouTube**" was removed by YouTube, resulting in a **community guidelines strike warning**.
* 🤔  The content of the video, which discussed **accessing YouTube content without the platform**, was flagged as **harmful or dangerous**, raising questions about YouTube's **enforcement of its terms of service**.
* 🔍  The video had garnered **1.4 million views in two weeks** before its removal, despite the channel having previously uploaded similar content without issue.
* ⚠️  The channel must now navigate a strict **three-strike policy**, where even a single week of posting suspension could **severely impact their business** and the livelihoods of around **100 employees**.
* 💡  To mitigate risks, the creators plan to develop their own video platform, Floatplane, to provide **ad-free content** and **reduce reliance on YouTube**, while continuing to upload **cautiously on the platform**.
* 🛡️  The creators acknowledge the reality of YouTube's policies and the need for **alternative revenue streams**, as many creators are also exploring platforms like **Patreon** to offer **ad-free experiences**.
* 🎥  Looking ahead, the channel will continue to produce content, including an upcoming video on **activating Windows 11**, while emphasizing the support from sponsors like **dbrand** during these challenging times.

we've had our share of controversies on this channel. Getting hacked, uploading April Fool's pranks that were too believable. That time Colton issued copyright strikes against ourselves twice. We've also removed plenty of videos from our channel, sometimes due to typos or other errors that needed to be corrected, or disagreements with sponsors. But you know what's never happened in 15 years? We have never had a video on our channel taken down by YouTube without our consent. Is what I used to say. That is until last Tuesday when I received a notification that our video titled DeGoogle Your Life Part Two: Ad-Free YouTube was removed from the platform, and I was issued a community guidelines strike warning. A warning that turns into a full strike if I repeat the offense. Except what exactly did I even do? How is it that a video about open maps and ad blocking can fall under harmful or dangerous content? I've done more dangerous things for a D.E. Grand sponsor spot, and those are all still up. Speaking of, obviously those guys weren't going to

miss an opportunity to insert themselves into an LTT controversy, so they sponsored this video, and we'll talk about them more a bit [Music] later. First, let's go through what happened on August 20th. We published DeGoogle Your Life Part Two, and after about 2 weeks and 1.4 million views, YouTube took the video down and gave us a warning for violating their terms of service, or TOS. But why? I mean, we've uploaded numerous other videos that cover topics like ad blocking, VPNs, and alternative YouTube clients. What is it that made this video specifically harmful or dangerous? We get part of the answer in this explainer paragraph that says that this category applies to videos which violate YouTube's terms of service, or emphasis here, encourage other users to do so, which includes content that provides instructions on how to download YouTube videos in an unauthorized manner. There's a lot to unpack here, starting with that I don't understand how that is harmful or dangerous, except maybe to Google's bottom line. They want you to pay for

premium for the privilege of downloading videos, which is well within their rights, but I don't think you can make the argument that downloading video is harming the community in any way unless we've dimension hopped and gone back 40 years and viewing that content could cause the thought police to cart you away for reprogramming. But let's put that aside because the arbitrary categorization isn't really the point. The video was removed because for several of its 23-minute runtime, we discussed a number of ways of accessing all of the content on YouTube without interfacing with YouTube directly, including by downloading videos. Now, to avoid this video getting removed, I'm not going to repeat what we said, and I'm not going to link L to the re-uploads that other users have graciously provided for your convenience. What I am going to do, though, is not issue copyright strikes against those guys, and I'll give you the one adree YouTube hack that I actually thought was the coolest one. Uh, for whatever reason, if you copy the URL of a

YouTube video into Bing, you should get to enjoy an ad-free experience. Now, saying that shouldn't violate any TOs, and if Google doesn't like it, they can hash that out with Microsoft. I recommend an MMA match between Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai. Other than that, I don't know if there's a path to us making this video available again on YouTube, because if we re-uploaded it, that would be violating the TO again, netting our channel a strike, which is a pretty big deal. YouTube has a pretty clear three strikes and you're out policy, with strike one stopping us from posting for a week, strike two stopping us for two weeks, and strike three permanently removing the channel altogether. Not posting for even just one week would result in significant damage to our business, and with around 100 people working here supporting their families, that just isn't a risk that we're willing to take, no matter how cheeky I'm personally feeling about the whole situation. And besides, if we're being

honest. We probably should have known this was coming. We aren't the first channel that this has happened to. Because of discussions around downloading videos and even channels that are on the larger side, like Lewis Rossman's, have gotten struck for promoting a particular desaturated Corvette app that includes just such functionality. Now, obviously, he didn't end up getting banned forever, considering that his channel is still around, but they were clearly furious that he'd been so brazen. And I mean, it's pretty obvious why YouTube is upset about this. At the end of the day, we both knowingly violated the TOs and in a manner that has a clear impact on the long-term viability of the platform. As much as I hate to say it, they're kind of right here. I mean, imagine if you created a restaurant, let's call it Nacho Gong. Then someone punched a hole in the back of the restaurant, giving everybody direct access to the kitchen and then started giving out the food for free, food that you paid for. Now, obviously, the

bandwidth and storage costs of serving a video are not the same as the food supplies and prep costs of serving a meal, but they are real costs that the platform does have to bear, and the payment for them is ads and tracking on YouTube. You don't have to like those things, and you can continue to circumvent YouTube's payment system as long as you're able. I'm not going to judge you, but what you can't do is sit there and say, Well, I have no idea what they're mad about, and you shouldn't be surprised if YouTube does someday patch the undocumented API exploits that third-party platforms are taking advantage of. So, when that inevitably happens, then what do we do? Well, I can't speak for every creator, but what we did is we made our own video platform with float planes and exclusives. So, if you like our content, please consider subscribing over at lm.g/f flat plane, where you will still be able to find degoogle your life part 2 with no ads or sponsor integrations.

along with plenty of behind-the-scenes and exclusive content that was in many cases deemed to be too hot for YouTube or in most cases actually not algorithm-friendly. And I mean, I hate that it's come to this. Nobody wants more subscriptions, but we aren't the only ones who see the writing on the wall and want to reduce our reliance on Google's fat fee. Plenty of other creators have also set themselves up on alternatives like Patreon to offer their fans something more that doesn't come with intrusive ads and tracking. As for the future of our content here on YouTube, well, we're definitely going to keep uploading, but we're also definitely going to play it a little safer with respect to third-party YouTube clients and tools. With that said though, we haven't dawned our tricorn hat for the last time, and in fact, we've got a video coming very soon on the various ways that you can activate Windows 11, ranging from buying it for $200 to activating it for a lot less than $200. So make sure

you're subscribed, and I will see you over there. Just like dbrand sees us through difficult times like this, those guys are always there, helping reduce our dependence on Google, Tube, and other Tech Giants. And they've got something special for you guys, helping you reduce your dependence on INF, Fior, skin, and case companies. They are offering until Monday 10% off sitewide. All you've got to do is go to the link in the video description. Whether you need a case for your Steam Deck, a screen protector for your phone, a skin for your game console, uh, better-looking sides for your PlayStation 5, they've got you covered. And what's the link? YouTube, YouTube. Thanks, dbrand, you're always there for us. If you guys enjoyed this video, maybe check out the one about our Channel getting hacked last year. Those guys, man, do they have any allies in the industry? Is Burning Bridges just their pastime?

Why Our Video Got Taken Down

Linus Tech Tips is a passionate team of "professionally curious" experts in consumer technology and video production who aim to educate and entertain.


Linus Tech Tips

The channel has faced various controversies, including hacking, prank uploads, and self-issued copyright strikes.

After 15 years, the channel's first video removal by YouTube occurred recently, causing confusion over the violation.

The video in question, about ad blocking and open maps, was deemed harmful for allegedly encouraging unauthorized downloading of YouTube videos.

YouTube's Content Removal and Downloading Videos

YouTube removed a video that discussed ways to access content without using the platform directly, including downloading videos.

The creator is avoiding repeating the information or linking to re-uploads to prevent copyright strikes.

They shared a unique hack of using Bing to access YouTube videos for an ad-free experience, while expressing concern about the potential consequences of re-uploading the video.

YouTube's Response to Video Downloading Controversy

YouTube has taken action against channels promoting video downloading, including larger creators like Lewis Rossman.

The platform's frustration is understandable, as these actions violate their terms of service and impact their long-term viability.

In response, the creator has launched their own video platform, Float Plane, to offer content without ads or sponsor integrations.

Many content creators are turning to platforms like Patreon to reduce their reliance on YouTube's fees and offer exclusive content without intrusive ads.

The shift is driven by the need to play it safer with third-party YouTube clients and tools.

Despite the changes, creators will continue uploading on YouTube and have upcoming content, including a video on various ways to activate Windows 11.

dbrand is helping reduce dependence on tech giants by offering 10% off sitewide until Monday.

They provide a variety of products, including cases for the Steam Deck, screen protectors for phones, and skins for game consoles.

The link to the offer can be found in the video description.