YouTube is introducing updated guidelines on impersonation, requiring fan channels to explicitly indicate in their channel name or handle that they are not affiliated with the represented company or artist. These changes will take effect on August 21, 2023.
Under the new guidelines, YouTube will not permit channels that claim to be fan accounts but actually pose as other channels by reuploading their content. Additionally, channels using the same name and avatar or banner as another channel, with minor alterations like inserting a space or substituting a letter with a zero, will also be disallowed.
Furthermore, users will be prohibited from setting up channels using the name and image of another person and then posting comments on other channels as if they were made by that individual. Similarly, channels claiming to be fan accounts in their description but failing to clearly state it in their channel name or handle will be in violation of the policy.
In a blog post, YouTube stated, “This update will help genuine fan channels know exactly how you can celebrate your favorite creators, while also protecting original creators from content and channels that are impersonating them.” The company aims to ensure that viewers are not misled by the channels they engage with and follow, while creators are safeguarded against the unauthorized use of their name and likeness.
Previously, YouTube did not have strict guidelines specifically addressing fan accounts, simply stating that impersonation channels were not allowed on the platform. With the new policy, fan accounts must explicitly declare their nature as fan channels to avoid potential channel deletion. The updated guidelines aim to eliminate confusion regarding the “source of goods and services advertised” and prevent channels from engaging in malicious practices.
By implementing these stricter guidelines, YouTube seeks to strike a balance between allowing genuine fan channels to thrive and protecting original creators from impersonation and misleading content.
