Recently, I received a community guidelines strike for having a link error in my video description. That really sucked because when you get a community guidelines strike, you can’t upload, post, or go live for one whole week.
It came as quite a surprise because in the 14 years I’ve been on YouTube, I’ve never received a community guidelines strike for a link error in the description.
In the video below, you’ll discover how to correctly add links to your video content, the types of links you can add, and how to block spam links in your YouTube comments.
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Here are the types of links that you can add to your YouTube videos
- Subscribe watermark
This appears at the bottom right of all the videos on your YouTube channel. When somebody clicks on the subscribe watermark, they immediately can subscribe to your channel.
To add a watermark, click Customization in YouTube Studio, then click Branding. Click Upload to select an image from your computer. You can place it at the end of your video, at custom start time, or display it on your entire video. After you’ve made your selection, just click Publish.
Click here to learn how to create a subscribe button - Custom subscribe link.
You can add this custom subscribe link to your social media sites, website, blog, or even in your video description. Then when people click on it, they’ll be able to subscribe to your channel. All you have to do is add this code to the end of your YouTube channel URL.
Click here to learn how to make a subscribe link - Channel banner links.
Did you know that you can add up to 5 links on your YouTube channel banner? So when people go to visit your channel homepage, they can immediately subscribe to your channel, or check out your social media links or website.
To add the links, click on Customization in YouTube Studio, then click on Basic info, then click Add Link. Keep in mind, you can only add 5 links to your YouTube channel banner. - Affiliate and website links in your description.
When you place a website link in your video description, make sure it’s a full URL, otherwise, it won’t be clickable. If the link is a paid product placement like a sponsorship deal or a brand deal, make sure you check the box that it’s a paid product placement.
Before you add an affiliate link in your video description, make sure you don’t get any errors on that website. I made a mistake with my WordPress website of not updating the plugs and themes, and therefore, I got a website error. Ultimately, it was picked up by YouTube, and as a result, I received a strike on my YouTube channel.
It was only when I fixed the website and submitted an appeal to remove the community guidelines strike that the strike was removed by YouTube. Fortunately, it only took a few minutes for the strike to be removed.
Here are some rules about links in your YouTube content.
* Links that send users to websites that violate the community guidelines are not allowed on YouTube. For example, the link that I used in my video description showed a site error when somebody clicked on it. As a result, I received a community guidelines strike.
Here are some other things to avoid when putting links in your YouTube videos.
* Avoid links to pornography sites. Avoid links to apps or websites that install malware. Avoid websites or apps phishing for login credentials or information. Avoid websites or apps that give unauthorized access to audio content, video games, or software.
* Avoid websites that seek to raise funds or recruit for terrorist organizations.
* Avoid sites containing child sexual abuse imagery.
* Avoid sites in YouTube’s regulated goods guidelines.
Just keep in mind that affiliate content doesn’t violate YouTube’s terms of use. However, if you massively post affiliate content in dedicated accounts, it will violate YouTube’s community guidelines regarding spam.
I suggest you read YouTube’s policies on spam, deceptive practices, and scams. An example of a video link that might result in getting a strike is a phishing site that steals people’s credentials. For example, I might steal a user’s banking login and passwords.
What happens if you get a community guidelines strike?
You’ll receive an email about the strike and it’ll also appear in your YouTube dashboard. YouTube will also remove the content. If you’ve already received the warning on your channel, then you receive a strike.
As a result, you won’t be able to post, upload, or go live for one week on YouTube. Just keep in mind that deleting the content won’t remove the strike. The strike will remain on your channel for 90 days before it’s removed.
If you successfully appeal a strike, which I did, then YouTube will remove the strike and you can upload a video, go live, and post content.
Just keep in mind if you get three strikes, your channel will be terminated. I just wish that YouTube had notified me to crack the website instead of giving me a strike. It would have saved a lot of stress.
Let me know in the comments below if you ever received a community guidelines strike on your channel and if you successfully got it removed.
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