Violent Montages on YouTube Could Face Monetization Issues
YouTube creators who make “violent montages,” like CS:GO frag movies, may encounter problems with monetization directly from the platform, according to a report from Polygon.
De-monetization has become a bigger concern for YouTubers with large followings since Felix “PewDiePie” Arvid Ulf Kjellberg was accused of posting anti-semitic content. As a result, advertisers started pulling their ads from YouTube more frequently to avoid association with inappropriate content.
“Inappropriate” Content and Ad Revenue
Videos deemed “inappropriate” by YouTube’s algorithm do not receive ad revenue. The platform is placing a greater emphasis on making the site more “family-friendly,” “safe,” and appealing to advertisers.
A comprehensive explanation on the de-monetization system was best explained by Hank Green, an educational YouTuber. Green mentioned that YouTube’s guidelines are vague and videos are sometimes mistakenly de-monetized, resulting in significant loss of revenue for creators.
Impact on CS:GO Frag Movies
This situation could create difficulties for professional players and lesser-known content creators who rely on YouTube as a source of income. With less incentive to create frag movies, creators may shift towards “Let’s Play” segments, which are not as entertaining and shorter in length.
Frag movies featuring in-game kills fall under the “Violence” category in YouTube’s advertiser-friendly content guidelines. Videos where violence is the main focus, without additional context, are not eligible for advertising. Montages with excessive violence as the focal point are also discouraged.
Advertiser Controls and Monetization
YouTube plans to implement “advertiser controls” that allow brands to exclude high-risk content and choose where their ads appear, making it easier for them to select which videos are monetized.
In essence, the guidelines state that a frag movie should not resemble a montage in order to be eligible for ad revenue. If creators want their videos to be monetized, they may have to compile clips without cinematic editing, which may result in less engaging content.
YouTube’s prioritization of advertisers over creators may negatively impact its user base. Content creators may seek alternative platforms, such as Facebook, which has heavily invested in video content in recent years.
It is important for frag movie makers to explore other avenues for obtaining ad revenue in order to continue showcasing CS:GO’s best highlight reels.