If your goal is to make money on YouTube, it’s important to understand what counts as reused content on the platform.
When it comes to monetization, YouTube has strict policies for reused content.
In this post, we’ll explore what counts as reused content, why it’s bad for monetization, and share some ideas how to solve the “reused content” problem if your monetization request was rejected by YouTube.
Keep reading!
What counts as “reused content” on YouTube?
YouTube defines reused content as “videos that contain content from other sources repurposed without original commentary or educational value.”
Generally speaking, reused content refers to videos that contain something has been previously uploaded to YouTube without adding any original commentary, creative input, or value.
In other words, your video doesn’t add anything new or valuable to the platform.
Why YouTube cares about reused content?
Technically, as long as your video does not violate community guidelines (including copyright rules), YouTube does not really care what you’re uploading or if anyone’s even watching your videos.
But!
If you want to monetize your channel, YouTube wants your videos to meet much higher standards.
Above all, YouTube wants the platform to offer quality and original content.
Why?
Because that’s what the advertisers want and that’s what makes YouTube profitable.
If creators simply regurgitate content that has already been uploaded to the platform without adding anything new or valuable to it, this will lead to a lower quality viewing experience for all YouTube users.
Eventually, this will result in lower engagement, decreased watch time, and fewer ad views – all of which will impact YouTube’s bottom line.
Examples of reused content?
Here are some examples of typical reused content:
You repost some previously uploaded videos from your own channel without really adding anything new.
You make compilation videos that use content from other channels or platforms without adding any new value or commentary.
You generate videos from pre-made templates with only superficial changes.
You stitch together a collection of stock clips without adding any original footage or sound.
You use large clips from movies, TV shows, or other copyrighted content without permission or without commentary.
You make “reaction” videos without adding any significant value or commentary.
You compile clips of moments from your favorite show edited together with little or no narrative.
Of course, not all of these types of videos are inherently bad – it’s possible to create valuable content using stock footage or clips from movies or TV shows, for example, if it is done in a transformative way that adds new commentary or value.
If the content is not significantly original or valuable and is simply a rehashing of some other existing content, there is a good chance it will be considered reused content by YouTube.
How to avoid reused content problem
So how can you avoid creating reused content on YouTube and can get your channel approved for monetization?
It is possible to reuse content in a way that adds value and keeps their audience engaged.
Here are 3 tips (scroll down for more examples!):
Add your own unique commentary or perspective to existing content
If you want to use someone else’s content as a starting point, add your own thoughts, opinions, or insights to the conversation. This can help make the content more valuable and original.
IDEA: Make a “best of” compilation of your older videos WITH funny commentary (for example, how bad your early videos looked like and what your learned since then). In this case, your commentary is the new value of the video.
Create content that is unique to your channel (at least occasionally)
Rather than re-using pre-made content, create something that is unique to your channel and your audience.
Think about what sets your channel apart and what your viewers are looking for.
IDEA: Make an introduction video to explain what your channel is about, what makes it different, and to invite viewers to subscribe.
Incorporate your own creative elements when using stock footage
There’s nothing wrong with using stock footage in moderation. However, try adding your own creative spin.
Whether it’s unique editing, graphics, or music, incorporating your own creative elements can help make your content stand out and feel more original.
Examples of reused content that still can be monetized (according to YouTube)
Unless you’re recording all your videos from scratch and star your own show, using other people’s content can still be OK if you want to monetize your channel.
Here are some examples:
– A funny or thoughtful revision of content you didn’t originally create.
– Clips of other people’s content as part of a critical review.
– A scene from a movie where you’ve re-written the dialogue and changed the voiceover.
– Replays of a sports tournament where you explain what a competitor did to succeed or fail.
– Reaction videos where you comment on the original video.
– Edited footage from other creators where you add a storyline or commentary.
Frequently asked questions about reused content on YouTube
There’s lot of confusion about using existing footage and music on YouTube. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Can I use stock footage or clips from other videos in my own content without it being considered reused content?
Using stock footage or clips from other videos might be okay, as long as you add something original, like a commentary, creative input, or some sort of extra value. In other words, the stock clips should not be the only valuable content.
Remember about copyright laws when using the video clips created by somebody else.
How much original commentary or creative input do I need to add to a video so it’s considered original?
There is no specific percentage of original commentary or creative input that is required for a video to be considered original.
If somebody else’s content is the main focus of your video (as opposed to your commentary or additions), that’s a warning sing.
What are the risks of uploading reused content on YouTube?
If you want to monetize your channel, there is a big risk that YouTube will reject your application.
If you’re using copyrighted footage or music without permission, you may end up with copyright claims, takedown requests for your videos, or even legal liability.
Are there any exceptions for reusing content on YouTube, such as for educational purposes or fair use?
There might be exceptions but, once again, unless you’re adding some sort of significant educational value, it’s still reused content.
Can I use background music without it being considered reused content?
We run our own monetized music library channel on YouTube and we provide music to many other monetized channels.
In our experience, music is rarely the reason for the “reused content” problem.
After all, YouTube can’t expect every creators to write an original music score for every new video, right?
So, generally speaking, background music itself is not typically considered the reason for reused content, but it can be a factor that contributes to your video being flagged as reused content if it’s used in a way that doesn’t meet YouTube’s policies.
As long as you obtained the proper music license for the background music, YouTube should not consider the music as reused content.
However, your video’s content and how it uses the music will be taken into account.
For example, if you use background music in a way that adds value to the video (to set a certain mood or atmosphere), and the video contains original content, then the video is less likely to be considered reused content.
Hope this helps!
Questions? Comments?
Understanding what counts as reused content on YouTube is crucial for creators who want monetize their channels.
To avoid reused content problem, you can create original content (dah!), repurpose existing content in creative ways, and provide unique perspectives and insights.
Remember, creating high-quality content is the key to success on YouTube!
Tell us about your experience with reused content on YouTube! Post a comment
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Is it possible to reject the Monetization application,while uploaded with Someone’s Youtube communities link and Thumbnail
??
Edited footage from other creators where you add a storyline or commentary. What does actually storyline or commentary means. I do create football videos , basically highlights . But I do put a text under it and sometimes writing what happened and sometimes explaining what he has done to score. so example: Man united scored first to get ahead. Second text. Cristiano Ronaldo showed his brilliant dribbling skills and scored. Is this adding value?
Does commentary counts as a text in the video?
and also this is allowed. Replays of a sports tournament where you explain what a competitor did to succeed or fail.
So what do you think about my channel?
Hey i upload music and movies interviews, BTS, Performances from fans videos, can i get monetized?
is uploading a shorts with some background, then some satisfying asmr videos with audio removed, then some other cutted content, and adding a captions are still considered as reused content?
My question is about voices (audio content). I do stream news updates every hour on my monetized YouTube channel. will it be reused content if I us my own audio content twice but with different videos?.
Tank you
“Reused content” is not about re-using your own audio clips. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to re-use the same music or audio in multiple videos. Most channels would use the same intro jingle, for example. It’s about creating value for the viewer. So the question you should be asking yourself is: will my new video give my users something new and valuable?
Sir, if the videos in our channel are made without showing the face, then there is no mistake in using the same clips in many videos, the welcome part at the beginning and the good bye part at the end. Although those clips are used without making any changes. But the content of the video will be 100% different. Reply
There’s nothing wrong with using the same intro / outro in multiple videos. Most channels do that for branding. That’s the content of your video that matters.
Hello, I Have A Youtube channel and I post TV SERIES on Shorts but how can I re-Write the dialogue and change the voice over? I want to monetize.
Hey guys, looking for some advice here, I am about to start a channel that will use fractions of other people’s videos and I will make every video out of many short videos combined and also I will add my own commentary not any text to speech tools, will that be okay or that is also reused content? any responses will be appreciated.
YouTube gives this example of reused content that still can be monetized: “Reaction videos where you comment on the original video”. Your idea might work, as long as you make original and substantial comments.
I recently encountered demonetization due to ‘Reused Content,’ and my primary suspicion revolves around the Shorts I uploaded. These Shorts were derived from my long-form videos on the same channel with minimal alterations. Could this be the reason behind the demonetization? I’ve been struggling to find comprehensive information on the application of the ‘Reused Content’ policy when it involves one’s own content. Resources seem limited in addressing this specific scenario.
I have the same scenario and problem as Ross. I got flagged as Reused Content. I make my own gameplay videos, no commentary.. and one of my shorts which is from a long form gameplay video went viral about 2 weeks ago. I appealed and still got rejected.
I am one of those channels that are faceless and no commentary but provides high quality gameplays in hard/extreme difficulty settings.
Sorry to hear. Looks like that YouTube wants to discourage the videos that do not feature any original content. Consider adding your own commentary during the gameplay. If this is to distracting on the hard settings, perhaps you can add comments during editing? Hope this helps.
Hy i upload my own singing videos on YouTube but u get copyright just because of track and background music so this is my original content so will this channel monetise ?? Or not pls reply
As long as re-used content is concerned, this is somewhat grey area. On one hand you’re re-using the background music. On the other hand you’re providing your own creative input by adding the vocals. However, please note you won’t be able to monetize the videos with copyright claims. If you have a license you can resolve the claims following the steps in this tutorial: https://www.tunepocket.com/resolve-youtube-copyright-claims/
Or if you get claims for using public domain music, here’s another tutorial how to remove the claim: https://www.tunepocket.com/youtube-copyright-claim-public-domain/
Hi, thank you for this article. We would like to live stream the same content to two YT channels. This is our own content, where two languages are spoken (the original in Czech followed by an English translation). For this we have two YouTube channels with different languages (one audience is in the Czech Republic and the other is global with English). I repeat that all content is ours, original. Will this be okay or are we in danger of some kind of strike from YouTube? Technically it is possible for the broadcast on the other channel to start a minute or two later, but most of the video will logically be the same. Thank you very much for any reply.
As long as your content is original and not violating YouTube’s community guidelines, we don’t see any reason why would YouTube issue a strike against your channel. Hope this helps!
what if i use someone’s voice through My customized Avatar to talk, will i beat reused content
Don’t focus on technicalities, focus on creating value for your viewers. As long as you create original videos that provide something of value to your audience (entertainment, advice, commentary, and so on) you should be fine. Hope this helps!
If I want to start a second channel to reach a specific segment of my existing audience and there are a few videos from my current channel that I want to add to the second channel, is it considered reused content if I make the original videos private?
That’s not the same thing. Reused content typically means re-using somebody else’s footage without adding any significant value. Re-posting your own original videos is different, though YouTube may still complain about “duplicate” videos. On the positive side, even if your monetization is rejected due to ‘reused content’ you can appeal and explain the situation.
Hi,
I’m considering to make a channel in which i use some other video’s script, will that count as an reused content? i intend to do the voice-over and editing myself.
As long as you’re making original videos (as opposed to simply making a mash-up of somebody else’s clips), you should be fine.
Hi, is remaking the beat of a popular song entirely from scratch reuse content?, and i also don’t get copyright claims on them.
No, it’s not, as long as your footage is original. You still can get a copyright claim, though.
സാർ, നമ്മുടെ ചാനലിലെ വീഡിയോകൾ മുഖം കാണിക്കാതെ ചെയ്യുന്ന വീഡിയോകളാണെങ്കിൽ തുടക്കത്തിൽ സ്വാഗതം പറയുന്ന ഭാഗവും അവസാനം ഗുഡ് ബൈ പറയുന്ന ഭാഗവും മുഖം കാണിച്ച് പറയുന്ന ക്ലിപ്പുകൾ പല വീഡിയോകളിലും ഒരേ ക്ലിപ്പുകൾ ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നതിൽ തെറ്റില്ലല്ലൊ. ആ ക്ലിപ്പുകളിൽ മാറ്റമൊന്നും വരുത്താതെയാണ് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നതെങ്കിലും . പക്ഷെ വീഡിയോയിലെ ഉള്ളടക്കും നൂറ് ശതമാനവും വേറെ ആയിരിക്കും.
I have an already monetized channel. I created countdown timers using stock motion graphics and got hit with a reused content claim. I removed them and had my channel monetize again. Would creating my own countdown timers with my own original motion graphics and timer overlay get me hit with reused content again?
Hello
I have a quiz channel and I have uploaded videos related to quizzes in that. I use an intro video, 25 seconds long, in all these videos .. Will it consider as a reused content while applying for monetization..
Can I post video on Facebook and then on YouTube without making any changes
Is that reused content?
It does not really matter if you post the same videos on different social platforms. Most people repurpose their content. As long as your video is original it should be fine.
does live streaming same event on deferent YouTube channels count as reused content?
Hi,
I want to create video where I show a series of small clips of a dog yawning, cat glaring, a celeb with confused expression, etc (taken from other Youtube creators): and then title it as “how we feel when we watch Kardashians”. I might add some more one-liner texts in the vid! Will this be considered enough creative input from my side or will this be deemed as reused content?
Will this work? Please reply. I don’t want to work on it and then later find it is inelgible for monetization!
Please help. Thanks!
If it’s done in a creative and entertaining way, this may work but, as you understand, we cannot give you any guarantees. It is solely up to YouTube to decide. When you reuse other people’s videos, there’s always a chance YouTube will treat it as reused content.
Hi. My 1st monetization application was disapproved due to reused content. As I checked my uploads, some have copyright claims and some have none. If I delete all videos that have copyright claims, is it possible that they will approve now my channel? I already have 12k subs. Thanks in advance!
You won’t be able to monetize videos with copyright claims, so you’ll have to do something about the claims in any case. Claims may or may not play some role in the approval process (only YouTube knows for sure) but if you simply stitch together somebody else’s clips without commentary or some sort of creative input, it’s still reused content with or without the claims. Hope this helps.
Good day. Thank you for your very informative page. However, I would like to ask if you can check and determine my channel and see if this will be monetize in the future because as of now I am not receiving and copyright claims. I am thinking that maybe when the time that i am applying for monetization, the reused content may appeal. If you have time anyway.
I make quizzes on YouTube and recently had monetization taken away. I understand that in some quizzes I use music quiz where the purpose is to guess the song or singer, I understand this is reused content, however the added value is the quiz format and the contemplation of the viewer. Is this not considered adding value?
Alternatively, could I just turn off monetization for videos that contain the songs, so I can still monetize the other quizzes I create?
I should add that the clips of songs I use are so short that the automated copyright system doesn’t recognise them.
Sorry to hear that your channel was demonetized. In our experience, music is rarely a factor in reused content. After all, YouTube can’t expect Youtubers to write original music scores for each new video. Sadly, it’s more likely that YouTube is trying to discourage people from making these kinds of videos (for whatever reason). Did they give you any other reasons for demonetization aside from “reused content”?
My Question. I have 2 channels. I want to upload my channel videos to another new channel, and I will also delete previously uploaded videos from old channel. so that my videos will be uoloaded to new channel. and previoulsy uploaded videos on another channel will be deleted. is it allowed?
or is it still reused ??
Thanks for your comment.
To the best of our knowledge, there’s no problem with re-uploading your own videos, especially if you delete the old versions. As long as your old videos were not flagged as reused content, the new videos will do just fine. However, please note that you will be losing the existing views, likes, and comments when you re-upload the videos to another channel. It would certainly make sense to keep popular videos. Hope this helps!
Hi,
Thank you for your article.
How can I know in which videos I used reused content?
Can you give me tips please?
If your video consists solely of clips that you did not create without any creative input from you (like commentary or narration), there is a good chance YouTube will consider this reused content. Hope this helps.
I still see bunch of channels doing exactly what you listed in reused content examples, how come they still can monetize??
It’s hard to say without looking at specific examples. If these channels are still monetized they must be doing something right 🙂 or simply managed to fly beneath the radar (for now?) We put together some ideas how to make original videos in a highly competitive niche and to avoid reused content issue: https://www.tunepocket.com/meditation-videos-ideas/ Hope this helps!