This article is a summary to help you better understand the process of recovering a demonetized YouTube channel.
Recently, YouTube has implemented a policy known as the “Related Channels” policy. This system is designed to trace channels that have previously violated monetization policies or channels that were terminated under your ownership. The system tracks you through information such as:
- Registration and recovery emails
- The phone number used for initial channel verification
- AdSense accounts that were previously linked
- Related IP addresses and devices
Because of this, you must restore monetization on the previously demonetized channel first. Only then can you use your old information to create new channels in the future.
If you fail to do this, continuing your YouTube career will be very difficult. YouTube’s current rules state:
When a channel is demonetized for a policy violation, you must first re-monetize the disabled channel before creating a new one.
If you intentionally create new channels to bypass the algorithm, and you are caught for fraudulent activity, your new channels will be terminated for reasons such as:
- Spam
- Deceptive practices
- Circumvention
- Violating policies
No one wants their channel to end up in this situation. But if your channel unfortunately gets demonetized, it’s understandably upsetting, especially if it’s your main source of income. Many creators don’t understand the exact reason for demonetization, which can be due to the following common errors:
1) Reused Content & Repetitious Content
For these two errors, the solution is relatively simple:
- Delete the violating videos from the last 90 days.
- Save three of your original videos and one project file from your editing software. This is a precaution in case your re-application is rejected, allowing you to use them in your appeal.
Note: When appealing, focus on a comprehensive channel appeal, highlighting the videos you’ve posted in the last 90 days.
- Video 1: Your most recent video.
- Video 2: A video from about 1 month ago.
- Video 3: A video from about 3 months ago.
Do not appeal using videos that are posted too close together, as YouTube may reject it again.
2) Harmful or Dangerous Content
This category includes serious violations such as:
- Shocking content
- Sexually gratifying content
- Nudity or sexual themes
- Harmful content involving minors
- Harassment and cyberbullying
- Hate speech
- Scams
- And other monetization-disabling offenses.
For these violations, a successful appeal is extremely rare—it’s a miracle if it happens. YouTube will almost always auto-deny the appeal. What YouTube requires is for you to delete all violating content and never create content on that topic again.
Solution:
- Change the channel name and switch to a new brand identity.
- Set all old videos to “Private” for 10 days.
- Delete all old videos.
- Upload new, “clean” videos that are completely unrelated to the previous violating topic.
Note: The new videos must be high-quality for YouTube to review them and increase your chances of being re-monetized.
3) Misleading Thumbnails
With this error, you simply need to change the thumbnails back to an original, accurate image from the video. You do not need to delete the video.
4) Misleading Titles or Misleading Metadata
For this error, you must:
- Wipe the description, hashtags, tags, and channel keywords.
- Delete the channel’s “About” section.
- Change the banner or logo if they contribute to the misunderstanding.
You do not need to delete all videos; just remove a few videos that show signs of metadata abuse.
5) Suspended Due to Association with Another Channel
This is the “Related Channels” issue. To fix this, you must re-enable monetization on the original channel that was first demonetized.
If you don’t remember which channel it was, or you cannot get it back (e.g., you sold it or lost access), follow these steps:
- Access the AdSense account linked to the suspended channel and cancel that AdSense account.
- Transfer the channel to a completely new email address and set that new email as the “Primary Owner.”
- Note: The new email must use completely new, fresh information, not matching the original email’s details.
- Continue posting new, clean videos regularly and maintain stable activity for 3 to 6 months.
- After that period, re-apply for monetization. When YouTube shows an error at Step 2 (AdSense), use a “clean” AdSense account (one that has never been linked to a violating channel) to connect to your current channel. The success rate for this method is very high.
6) Monetization Policy Violation (Fake Engagement)
This error occurs when a channel uses “view bot” or “sub bot” services from low-quality sources. If YouTube detects this, monetization will be disabled or not approved.
If your appeal is unsuccessful, you should:
- Delete the videos that received botted views or hours.
- Delete the videos that used view/sub bots.
- Upload new, clean videos and run Google Ads (AdWords) promotion on them.
- Once you have enough real subscribers, hours, and views, re-apply for monetization. This is the most likely way to get monetization reinstated.
Hopefully, these insights will give you more knowledge, a clearer direction, and help you achieve sustainable success on your YouTube journey.
(Source: Compiled from comments in forums and Facebook groups)
