New YouTube policy mass strips channels of verification

Following new policy on the criteria for channel verification, YouTube has informed several creators that their channels will no longer be verified.

YouTube has announced a massive change to how channels get verified on September 19th. YouTube sent an email to numerous creators, outlining the new criteria and informing the creator that they will no longer be considered a verified YouTube channel.

Here is the email sent to numerous YouTube creators:

Hi there,

We’re writing to let you know that we’re updating the eligibility criteria for channel verification on YouTube. 

Unfortunately, with these changes, your channel no longer meets the criteria to be verified. We realize this might be disappointing, but we believe these updates will make channel verification more consistent for users and creators across YouTube. Please keep reading to learn more about the changes and what you can do.

What’s changing:

YouTube will now proactively verify channels instead of accepting requests for verification badges. We aim to verify channels that represent a well-known or highly searched creator, artist, public figure, or company with a clear need to differentiate themselves from other channels with a similar name.

Channels are typically verified if they:

•   Have built a large audience and community on YouTube.

•   Are widely recognized outside of YouTube and have a strong presence online.

•   Or, have a channel name that could be confused with other channels on YouTube.

The goal is to help channels avoid impersonation, and help viewers understand if a channel is the official presence of the creator, celebrity, or brand it represents. The verification badge does not represent endorsements or awards from YouTube.

What this means for you:

Starting in early October 2019, your channel will no longer be verified, but you have the option to appeal the decision here. This will not impact monetization of your channel.

For more information on these changes, please refer to the YouTube Help Center.

Sincerely,The YouTube Team

Verified channels will be marked with a gray background instead of a checkmark

Previously, channels with 100k subscribers get verified with no additional criteria. Now, channels and creators will have to prove their “authenticity and prominence.”

According to their official announcement, there is no process to request channel verification. There is only an appeal process for now unverified channels.

Ryan “Fwiz” Wyatt, YouTube’s Global Head of Gaming & Virtual Reality, responded to the changes in a tweet:

Top YouTube Creators respond 

Ethan Nestor of CrankGameplays got unverified, and described the move as a “slap in the damn face.”

YouTuber Nudah revealed his loss of verification, and asked YouTube why they “hate [their] creators”

YouTube creator, game show host, and Use Your Words co-creator Brent Black has also been unverified.

NBA 2KTV host and producer Chris ‘LD2K’ Manning described the decision by YouTube as “baffling.”