YouTube Updates: Community Guidelines Training, Shorts Linking & More!

Navigating the New YouTube Community Guidelines Warning System

For many creators, the most pressing update is the “elephant in the room”: the overhaul of the YouTube Community Guidelines warning system. Historically, when a creator violated a YouTube policy, they received a warning that was typically permanent. This could create a lingering cloud over a channel’s standing, leaving creators with little recourse once a mistake was made.

Under the new system, YouTube is introducing a path to redemption. Creators can now reverse a warning by completing a specific training module. Once the training is finished, the warning is removed, and the channel returns to good standing.

However, this “clean slate” comes with a significant caveat. To ensure that the training is effective and not simply a loophole, YouTube has implemented a 90-day probationary period. If a creator violates the same policy again within 90 days of completing the training, the warning becomes permanent and cannot be removed. This means creators must be extra vigilant about the specific rules they have just been trained on to avoid a permanent mark on their account.

Furthermore, the system has become more granular. Instead of a general warning, creators now receive separate warnings for different types of policy violations. For example, if a creator is flagged for a violation in one area and then subsequently flagged for spam or misleading content, these will be treated as two distinct warnings. While this provides more clarity on exactly which rules are being broken, it also means creators could potentially accumulate multiple warnings across different policy categories.

Expanding Reach with Content Linking in Shorts

Another major update is the full rollout of Content Linking for all creators. This feature addresses a long-standing point of contention, as YouTube had previously limited the use of links in Shorts to prevent spam and security issues.

The rollout is now complete, allowing creators to better connect their short-form content with their broader library. To manage these links, creators can head to YouTube Studio. The linking options are located in the same area where you would typically find end cards and K2 (cards), making the workflow intuitive for those already familiar with the Studio interface.

The selection screen is straightforward, designed to minimize the time spent in the backend and eliminate downtime. By allowing creators to link directly from a Short to another video, YouTube is effectively bridging the gap between discovery (Shorts) and deep-dive consumption (long-form videos).

Updates on Clips and Desktop Availability

While many features are rolling out smoothly, some have hit a slight snag. The updates for Clips and the desktop experience have been delayed. Originally expected to arrive last Monday, these features have been pushed back to September 4th. Creators should expect to see these changes go live on Monday evening.

As Clips become more widely available, creators should consider how to integrate them into their strategy—whether for highlighting the best moments of a long stream or creating shareable snippets for external promotion.

The Rollout of Vertical Live and YPP Fan Funding

YouTube is also gradually updating the live streaming and monetization experience, though these updates are being released in phases.

Vertical Live Experience

The Vertical Live Experience is currently in a gradual rollout phase. At present, it is available to approximately 20% of viewers (roughly every 15th viewer). This suggests a cautious approach by YouTube to ensure stability before the feature is pushed to the entire global audience.

YPP Fan Funding

Simultaneously, a new wave of features for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is being deployed, specifically focusing on fan funding. Currently, about 20% of creators have gained access to these new monetization tools.

It is important to note that regional availability varies. As of now, German creators are not yet included in this initial wave, though they are expected to be part of the subsequent phases. YouTube expects the full rollout of these YPP features to be completed by the end of November.

Creators should keep an eye on their Community or Forum posts in September, as YouTube is expected to release an official update regarding the timeline and availability of these funding tools. For those waiting on these features, staying tuned to official YouTube communications will be the best way to know when fan funding becomes available in their specific region.

Original transcript

Transcript

We need to talk about the elephant in the room: the new Community Guidelines warning system. Let’s take a look at this together. Basically, when you violate a YouTube policy, you used to get a warning, and that was typically permanent. With the new system, you can reverse a warning by completing a training. This means your channel is no longer locked, and you’re back in good standing—as long as you don’t violate the same policy again within 90 days, otherwise the warning becomes permanent and cannot be removed. Keep that in mind. Also, for each policy violation, you now get a separate warning. So, even if you’re active in one area like Newton and then get flagged for spam or misleading content, you’ll get two warnings, but this is still not entirely clear. I’m not sure how I feel about this, especially since YouTube said they didn’t want to allow links in Shorts because of such issues, and now the system is being relaxed a bit. But let’s leave that for now. Feel free to comment on whether you like it or not.

We already touched on this: Content Linking has been fully rolled out for all creators since last Monday, which was yesterday for me and 5 days ago for you. The awesome Melli sent us some screenshots; he already has it. Here’s what it looks like: It’s also available on a video basis in your YouTube Studio where the end cards and K2 used to be. The selection screen is just as we know it, everything is straightforward. I actually think it’s a very, very nice feature, and especially great that the YouTube team responded so quickly and made this almost final feature available quickly to minimize or eliminate downtime. The changes with the links will start in two days for me and three days ago for you.

Clips and desktop have been slightly delayed; we were expecting them last Monday but they’ve been pushed back to September 4th. So, you’ll see them on Monday evening. Feel free to comment on whether you’re currently using more clips, I’d be interested to know, and especially how you plan to use clips once they’re available.

Also, the Vertical Live Experience is currently available to every 15th viewer (20%) and will be rolled out gradually. Another 20% of creators already have access to the new wave of YPP features, i.e., fan funding for the YouTube Partner Program. As far as I know, German creators are not yet included, but we’ll be in one of the next phases. The rollout is expected to be completed by the end of November, and you’ll get a new Community or Forum post from YouTube about it in September. I’ll make sure to link it when it’s available. So, keep your eyes peeled.

I’m glad to be back. A week of vacation did me good. So, until next Saturday! If you have any questions, I’m also working on a Zero video that many of you have requested. I might also do something about live streaming, we’ll see. We’ll talk again next week. Take care and keep going!