I wanted to share with you a curious story from a long term @YouTube supporter.
Yesterday morning I was “terminated” from YouTube with no warning and no explanation of why. Throughout my sites I’ve embed hundreds of videos all of which now display this message – it’s really sad when I think about how much hard work has gone into creating them (months of work) and the value they have added to the YouTube community. Over 350 videos. 150,000 views and loads of great comments and feedback… Gone.
Having spent yesterday reading everything I could on the topic, I’ve now made a submission through YouTube’s process of appeals… I also made a submission through their suspended account inquiry form to (at the very least) find out what’s going on.
Having seen Darren Rowse of ProBlogger yesterday suffer a similar fate I thought I too should write a open letter to YouTube. Fingers crossed this is read by the right person at YouTube who can fight for a long time YT supporter.
Update: 47 likes, 59 retweets, 82 comments and countless more FB comments and retweets not referencing this page but my name instead. Really hope someone at YT sees this – 2 strikes and I was out and one was over 6 months old… this really isn’t fair… full details listed below.
350 videos. 150,000 views. Loads of positive comments. Terminated.
Dear YouTube,
I still love you and want to love you for years to come.
Having been a user and supporter of YouTube for well over 5 years now – I’ve been your biggest fan. From the moment I met you I knew we had something special. I’ve uploaded hundreds of videos and had hundreds of great comments on my channel www.youtube.com/theSEOmethod
With so much spam and rubbish out there on the web I paid particular attention to respect the community and only put out my best material. Heck I have even delivered a full day workshop on how to use YouTube the right way here in Melbourne and had uploaded the best bits right onto my channel.
I really thought we had something special.
But today you broke my heart (thanks for the inspiration Darren @ProBlogger)
I was just about to go for a walk when I thought I’d check my emails. I had a client who said:
“Hi David, I was just watching your seomethod videos, then suddenly I got the message that your youtube account was suspended. Just wanted to let you know, BTW great videos” – Johan Brattberg
I thought it must have been something at his end at first but when I visited my YouTube channel I saw I had been terminated 🙁
But I didn’t do anything?! and I really pride myself on the quality of the material I put out. My goal is to make YouTube a better place and show people how to market the right way… they don’t need spam or scams.
“Just provide good valuable content and you’ll be right!” – that’s what I used to say. Sadly that doesn’t seem to be enough.
To make matters worse I didn’t even find out what I’d apparently done wrong. The closest thing I could find was (after searching through my Gmail account) about 6 months ago I received a message saying that one of my videos had violated YouTube’s community guidelines.
I recall, at the time, doing what I thought was the right thing and deleted out the video… I find it’s always best to err on the cautious side and I wanted to do what was right by YouTube. I tried to find out what was wrong with the video but never heard back. I didn’t think too much about it and continued on my merry way.
I then found another email that was sent about 2 hours before I found my account had been terminated – it referenced issue with a video titled “How to make money online – 80/20 rule”… I’m not 100% sure what caused the trigger since, again, the content of the wasn’t spammy in the slightest – all you have to do is watch it and you’ll know right away.
Curiously I didn’t get a chance to “right” any so called “wrongs”… my account was just terminated. Like I’d done before, I would have happily done whatever YouTube asked.
When the news came I began my research, I scoured every inch of the web looking for answers. I read through hundreds of threads on the YouTube support forums, I posted my own thread and I even contacted everyone I knew who might have some insights.
I found reference to YouTube’s 3 strikes and you’re out policy… but that didn’t apply here since I’d only had 2 and one of them was over 6 month’s old. I even heard through the grape vine that Darren Rowse of ProBlogger had been hit too on the same day.
Now I don’t know if Darren’s situation was exactly the same as mine since the message on his account was slightly different… but it was a very strange coincidence.
What was even more interesting (and hopeful) was that Darren’s account was re-activated this morning. Sure he’s got a little more of a following than I do and after his “open letter to YouTube” he must of got someone’s attention – now I know it’s possible.
Although Darren didn’t receive any notification or emails about it – his account just started working again – it’s good to know someone is watching.
Anyway, YouTube I’m not too sure what to say – I have been a long time advocate of yours, I’ve provided only my best content and I always do my best by you.
Perhaps at the very least can we talk? I still love you and I want to continue to help educate people how to use YouTube responsibly.
Hoping this post is read by someone who loves YouTube as much as I do.
Still your supporter,
Dave Jenyns
Ps. If you’ve ever watched or enjoyed my YouTube channel at all please post below your support might just help in getting my account back online.
I’d love to bring back the “Google Vs Yellow Pages” video, the “Old Spice Parody guy” and all the other goodies. Hope you can help.
Post Update:
Looks like I’ve got an update from Google… not too sure this helps though:
=========
Hi theseomethod,
Thanks for your email. Your “theseomethod” account has been found to have
violated our Community Guidelines. Your account has now been terminated.
Please be aware that you are prohibited from accessing, possessing or
creating any other YouTube accounts.
Penalty 1:
“How to do Search Engine Optimization – From Start to Finish” formerly at
Removed for violating our Terms of Use on 11/21/2010.
Please see http://www.youtube.com/t/terms and
http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines
Penalty 2:
“How To Make Money Online – 80/20 Rule.” formerly at
Removed for violating our Terms of Use on 06/11/2011.
Please see http://www.youtube.com/t/terms and
http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines
YouTube staff review flagged videos 24 hours a day, seven days a week to
determine whether they violate our Community Guidelines. When a video or
account is brought to our attention we investigate and take action if
necessary.
We are unable to provide specific detail regarding your account suspension
or your video’s removal. For more information on our what we consider
inappropriate content or conduct while using YouTube, please visit our
Community Guidelines and Tips at
http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines and our Help Center article
at http://help.youtube.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=92486.
Regards,
The YouTube Team
=========
First thing that comes to mind is that as stated on YouTube Community Guidelines:
“Community Guidelines strikes last for six months from the date they are received. Notice is provided by email and at next log-in; for reference, copies of the notices are also logged within a user’s account. Accrual of strikes results in penalties as follows:
- First Strike: The first strike on an account is considered a warning.
- Second Strike: If an account receives two strikes within a six month period, the ability to post new content to YouTube from that account is disabled for two weeks. If there are no further issues, full privileges are restored automatically after the two week period.
- Third Strike: If an account receives a third Community Guidelines strike within six months (before the first strike has expired) the account is terminated.“
So I thought we were supposed to get 3 strikes before we are out? Also, I thought strikes disappear after 6 months (the first one should have expired right)? And that’s not to mention I’m still not 100% clear what I’ve done and they say they can’t give more detail.
Really quite frustrating… I just want to do what’s right here. Anyone else see this as not fair?
It was through a YouTube video that I first found out who Dave was, and got to know him much better from there on, working with him as part of his company, and as a partner on projects.
To say that it is “strange” that YouTube would have terminated his account is a massive understatement. Dave has always put a huge amount of focus not just into the high quality of his video content, but in making sure that what he shares is fair for those who watch it, and within guidelines on YouTube. I’ve never seen someone work so hard on their own video content.
If YouTube found it was a right decision to reinstate ProBloggers account this morning, then it is a bit of a no-brainer really. Both appeared to be terminated for similar reasons, however… both are people who deliver amazing content via video.
Really hoping that you get your account back Dave. I have seen first hand the amount of work that you have put into that account, and would be very sad to see you have to start again.
This is so wrong on every level, David material is some of the highest respected material out there, not only im i going to post this on my wall i am going to email this post out to my clients….
David, i hope they help you man …. Your videos are some of the best content out there.
Michael Hanson
Of all the YouTube accounts they could suspend, they choose David freaking Jenyns?!
Your content is among the best online in the internet marketing space, so I’m sure if they actually review your videos they’ll see that it’s worthy of re-activation.
Good luck to you David.
Hi David, Sorry to hear about the misshapen , I already put out the word to my people to spread the word. Let me know if there is any other way I can help. Good luck to you and the gang in Melbourne. I will be in Melbourne in the near future hope to see ya around.
Kevin
What are they thinking!!!!
Did they need the space to host more cute cat videos or “Friday” parodies??
Seriously – this has got to be a case of “automated account termination bot” gone mad. I’ve worked with Dave on a couple of projects and I’ve never met anyone who cared so much about producing quality informative material.
Dave – your YouTube channel was a consistent source of high quality, educational and often funny commentary on the state of the interwebs and I seriously hope someone at YouTube is listening and gets this sorted ASAP! You’re definitely “one of the good guys!”
Best of luck
Steve
Hey YT, how about telling David why you suspended him? Hopefully you can sort this out soon and get David back online.
Hi David,
I hope you tube explains what is going on and why.
Why is Google / You Tube acting in such a cavalier manner?
Action like this drives people to seek alternatives and opens the door to hungry competitors.
Google has forgotten it’s roots and now become an ugly big brother.
They don’t care about the “little guy” anymore. Sad.
Lesson is always have a backup plan and do not put all your eggs in one basket. I do hope David gets his account back. He’s one of the good guys!
cheers & good luck…Gary
Sorry to hear about this mishap- how annoying. I have enjoyed watching some of your videos and it would be very frustrating. I hope your account is reinstated.
Unbelieveable Dave! What are they thinking! Someone actually has some decent educational content and this happens! Surely they must respect your honesty and openess and reinstate your account! I will be devo if they dont! Keep up the good work! You are the best
Cosi
How frustrating this is, not just for you, but for all of us that use your content for our businesses. Looking forward to it all getting rectified soon.
Dave,
Sorry to hear, i suffered same fate TWO weeks ago and my youtube account was TERMINATED.. Some of the videos pointed out were on the make money online NICHE.
I also did a mistake of uploading a video salesletter on youtube.. even after Youtube had approved my channel for contents upto 2 hours long.
Once your account is terminated.. it’s FOREVER but I’ve seen cases of 0.1% who recover their accounts after contacting youtube and putting their case forward.
Hope that helps,
Again.. did you have a backup on AWS..? If NOT i recommend in future using services like tubemogul to upload your content in multiple Sharing sites
So this is the plan:
Step 1. Make Video to share
Step 2. Upload on Amazon Web Services [S3]
Step 3. Upload your video on Tubemogul and distribute content
OR
Get your ownsharing NETWORK with Easy to use scripts like <<--link removed -->>
Am getting tired of using Google Products, remeber when they were terminating Adwords, Now Youtube…
THINK: what will happen to your business when they TERMINATE Gmail for NO apparent reason?
All the Best [just a few thoughts]
I studied this whole online thing on my own for years and I swear at the end of those three/four years, I gained nothing. It was Dave’s videos and materials that educated me properly and taught me everything of value that I know. Those videos have enough free educational value in them to create an entire formal degree course!
YouTube must see that somehow.
David, I just wanted to stop by and show my support. I have taken a keen interest in your videos and content over the past 18 months.
I have learnt a great deal and have felt confident in the information that you are decimating. Your professionalism and integrity will continue to prove itself, regardless of the actions of others outside of your control (like YouTube). I wish you all the best and please let me know if I can be of assistance.
Sad to the channel down guys, I really enjoyed the informative content you put out and it has helped me improve my business quite a lot over the past year.
Hope you get back online soon, because it would be a shame to lose all the videos that have help me and friends of mine.
Best of luck!
David,
I just see this as an abuse of power by a large organisation.
Sure they have their TOS, and I know that you have been trying to meet those, but to be terminated without warning, or a proper chance to rectify whatever it is that someone (who may well have made an error!) has marked up against you, just smacks of sheer corporation overkill.
It’s no wonder that millions of us who have enjoyed Google’s rise (and their services) would like to see a much more customer oriented approach to dealing with their self determined problems!
I certainly hope that they see sense in this case as you were providing a useful and welcome service to so many of us.
Google should recognise historical implications in this – eg the Tobacco Barons, The Manufacturing Giants of the 20th Century, and the Oil Industry today. Riding roughshod over the customers (or the populace) eventually has a severe effect (shades of Roumania, Tunisia, Egypt etc).
There is no need for it either, in this age of INFORMATION and so-called transparency we should all be able to see that rules are being applied fairly and in a measured fashion. Take a moment to reconsider this case Youtube, it will be in your best long term interest to apply your TOS in a more reasonable fashion!
John Reed, York, UK
Hi Dave, I support you and value your YouTube contributions and your tireless work. The quality of content is extremely and consistently high. I hope that YouTube wake up, communicate and reinstate your channel. I’ll be watching. Good luck 🙂
Helen Lynne
Much love has been put into the production of those videos, but what is most important is the content. Those are not spammy. Those are educational videos that help teach people how to do responsible and ethical business.
When you have hundreds of videos and people are following you closely then YouTube should at least send a decent notification. Don’t just pull the rug under the guy’s feet. At least let him know why you’re pulling it. (if that makes any sense at all).
I have followed David for about half a year now and I really appreciate his work. It has helped me become a better marketer and has really challenged me to build a solid business. I don’t know why you have done this Youtube but I can honestly say you are missing out if you don’t reactivate his account.
P.S I have a Youtube account with videos and if my comment of offended you I beg you to please not terminate my account. But seriously Dave has helped many entrepreneurs.
We have always enjoyed your videos and want to watch them again.
Humble request — Youtube
I request you to please open his accounts because i was learning many things from him. He helped me to learn many techniques for online marketing. I hope that all your videos will be soon online again.
Hi David,
I HOPE you get your account back.
I love your videos and HOPE Youtube sees the
light on this one.
You are NOT one of the “bad guys.” You’re one
of the good ones.
Marlon
I find it so hard to understand why someone with such great videos can be terminated by YouTube! Hopefully it’s a glitch in the system and your channel will be up and running again soon……good luck!
Bring back Davey J YouTube or I’m comin’ to get ya.
Once again another screw up on googles behalf.
I think like Ryan said both problogger and Dave have been shut down for reasons, that I hypothesis where automatic triggers across the whole “youtube, google, blogger, etc….” clean up after the panda update. There was a massive clean out of adwords and adsense recently as well.
Dave I do believe you should get your youtube source back, however might be a good idea to build a blog just for your youtube videos so you are protected from this happening again :). Like James Schramko once said to me you need to build your own Racecourse and have other people racing in it. Instead of racing in someone else’s racecourse.
Really do hope you get your youtube content back up mate I loved your stuff was awesome, google once again another mistake!
Josh
Wow, really? Finally there is a guy trying to teach people how to use You Tube responsibly and you are the one who gets smacked.
You Tube, he has great videos! Please don’t penalize him because some algorithm saw the words “make money online” and assumed incorrectly that he was making a breathless pitch for some kind of scam. A whole lot of other people use his videos for content – please don’t penalize them as well!
Hey Dave,
Sorry to hear this.
But i’m not surprised.
Google after all own you tube. You had a lot of video’s on there. Videos that described all kinds of methods, including how to rank higher in Google, and how to make money online.
Google don’t like that kind of thing… and i’m sure you got penalised via a automated method of some sort…
Wouldn’t you be better off hosting your video’s on your own server? Or on a viddler pro account? At least that way you have control over all your content.
Check you copy of SEO Secrets by Danny Dover, Pg 366…
Good Luck Mate!
Anthony.
These videos were a great free resource. Hope they come back soon.
Lee.
Hi Dave,
I’m really sorry to hear that man. I hope you can solve that problem ASAP and get your account back. I enjoy your videos and I find them really informative so you keep do what you have to do and I believe that everything its going to be all right
Good luck my friend
Vilio
Hi David,
I hope YouTube reinstate you — I am just about finished watching the videos I purchased from you and they’re top quality. The free videos are a great resource too.
I am really impressed with the information you have given me and it’s a pity YouTube has not come to see that you’re the real deal.
Mia
Hi Dave,
Im sure when Youtube come to its senses things will be restored. It’s a disgrace that two of Youtube best ambassadors are treated this way.
I enjoy your videos as well as probloggers, look forward to seeing them again.
lets hope wise heads prevail
George
David!
Whoa…that’s a bit of a shocker.
So you post up useful videos about your seo services and how to
do things the right way online and you get slapped?
Come on YouTube…check out the quality of the videos and you’ll
realise how valuable to the community they are!
Dear YouTube,
The SEO Method YouTube channel has consistently been an amazing resource of high content training for thousands of small to medium size business owners, advocating your own guidelines of high quality content which is of benefit to your users. If you view any of their content on their videos, at no time do they promote or encourage money making scams or black hat SEO methods – they are simply providing a valuable needed service for individuals to understand the complexities of bringing their business online, providing value and original content to YouTube and Google alike.
If you have any specific issue with The SEO Method channel it would seem correct that you communicate your issues in an appropriate business like manner, the same way that normal business owners discuss matters with their suppliers. They provide valuable content on a regular basis which in turn adds value to your site. Yes you’re the big boys … but there is no need to employ bullying tactics – discuss matters in a mature open forum so that users can adhere to your wishes. We do have options you know .. FB Vimeo etc etc
It would be a very sad loss to the community if this channel were to disappear.
Hey Dave
Not good news!
I’m here in support to get your great content back online, it’s the best educational video content on SEO out there today for sure. Happy to help out in any way of course, just let me know.
Jason Hart.
I’m really surprised to hear that David’s YouTube account has been terminated. I’ve watched quite a number of the videos in the past, and they were all very high quality- in fact, he has been amazingly generous in the quantity and quality of information that he shared with his community.
It seems terribly unfair of YouTube to terminate the account without a proper explanation- and I wonder why YT made so difficult to find out what the problem was. YouTube- when someone is really trying hard to make corrections to their account, shouldn’t there be a way for them to find out exactly what the problem was and exactly how to right it?
This story, and that of Darren Rowse, makes it very scary for all of us who use YouTube as part of our business. I’m sure many of us will be watching very closely to see what the outcome is.
I really hope this story has a happy ending for David! Fingers crossed for you Dave!
i second Ryan’s comments, I don’t know anyone that pits as much effort into creating substantial (& free) value with video
And absolutely crazy not to be able to talk to some to explain your case (or even ask why)
Mate, I’ve emiled you the addresses of a couple of agency reps at Google… Hopefully they can help escalate the resolution
Mike
This really is a travesty. Dave, you’ve provided many hours of excellent content through your YouTube videos; it’s not only devastating for your, it’s a massive loss for your SMB/SEO audience.
I sincerely hope YouTube comes forth with a good explanation.
Seriously I have learned a lot more about SEO and internet marketing after watching your videos and putting these great tips to action. Finally, I have found someone who really shares only but all the good stuff to try and does not mislead you into doing anything that will hurt your online goals.
I really hope Youtube sees this as an opportunity to show the love back to you by reinstating your account because your informative and helpful videos deserve to be there.
Hey Dave and YouTube if you’re listening – with all the crass, uneducated, unintelligent rubbish that is published on YouTune, it really makes you lurch in your gut when a channel that publishes intelligent, good quality videos is slammed shut.
And I don’t even mind about the rubbish that is published on youtube – each to their own. I just watch the good quality stuff, that you publish Dave.
All I can conclude is that there must have been a mistake. That’s the only reasonable answer to this mess. And I hope that this mistake is rectified for you mate.
Cheers
Nic
How absolutely ridiculous, imagine this was your child,
Daddy “I’m punishing you because you have been naughty”
Son “But Daddy what have I done wrong”
Daddy “I’m not going to tell you but here is a book on how to be a good child”
Son “But can’t you tell me what I did wrong because I have always been a good boy and I want to please you , just tell me and I will change my behaviour”
Daddy “No you should read the book.
How would we ever expect a child to behave if we never told them what they were doing wrong. In Society we have a right to challenge our accusers as part of our natural justice, but it seems that Google and YouTube are above that.
There is another issue here, when you do something wrong and you have removed the offending video they should not hold it against you forever. We all make mistakes and we need more forgiveness in this world. Everybody is so quick to blame this “group” of nasty people whether it be by race, culture, religion and profession. I think if you correct a mistake promptly, it should not be held against your account forever. Of course if are told what you actually did wrong there is less likelihood of you doing it again, go figure!
What choices does it leave you, well first to use other video services but also to go create an account in another name. Anyone who has been unfairly treated would respond this way. In fact if you want I would be happy to host your “allowed” video in an account in my name but pointing to your site, just email me.
So I for one totally support your request for your account to be re-instated, to YouTube I say “be fair and reasonable”. There is so much awful scum on YouTube, from teenagers bullying to extremists, you would think they had something to do.
If they decline , I would go create a whole series of videos elsewhere showing “the videos banned by YouTube”, perhaps run a competition, ask your followers to give the best reason within the You Tube guidelines that may have caused it to get banned.
My advice to others is go create multiple accounts for each of your sites and in the 15+ alternatives to YouTube.
Whilst I am giving advice, let me tell your readers that IMA have re-opened Blueprint Black. This is their step by step system for building weird niche ecommerce sites, they show how they built a $1m dollar business in just 8 months (see webinar on the link). Blueprint Black is not a get rich quick scheme, it requires work but they give you all the software, contacts, videos, PDF and everything you need, more info here <>
David I feel for you, I hope You Tube can “man up” and put your stuff back online, you are one of the few internet marketers that I stay subscribed to.
Jon
Woaa, I can’t believe they terminated your account.
I have been watching all your YouTube videos to get an education on SEOs techniques before launching my website.
I thought they were so great. I learned so much.
That is scary to build a business and to depend on them if they start abusing the Online business community. I agree with Paul above, may be we should start looking at other videos choices if YouTube judgment becomes too harsh on the business community. I hope they realize their mishap towards you very soon.
This is really unfortunate mate and another reminder that we are all small fish to Google/You Tube/Paypal… etc.
Your video’s are great and something YT should be seriously proud to have on their platform. Unlike the millions of dancing cats and monkeys falling from trees video’s your training provides real value, ironically much of it how to make the most of YT.
I hope the support you get here helps persuade You Tube that your account should be rightfully reinstated!
Dave is someone that I listen to as he has the practical experience of running online and offline businesses in niches other than internet marketing. He has shared his knowledge generously in his youtube videos, and after taking a look at the number posted over the years, anyone should be able to tell that they are not low quality, and do not deserve to have the whole account wiped out.
Please review the situation and take a look at what he has contributed with his channel!
Thanks everyone!!
Carol: Thanks for that. Frustrating to say the least.
Dave Cosgrove: Glad you’ve enjoyed it hope we get it back.
Remy: Cheers dude… doing what I can.
Ryan: Really, really appreciate all your support. Thanks for the comment, tweets, and Facebook posts. Hoping things go well.
Michael: Thanks Mike appreciated it.
Grace: We’ll do all we can.
Mary: I’m sure we’ll work it out. All this support should send a clear message to YouTube.
SamuelJ: Thanks dude. Hope we find out soon.
Helen: We’ll keep kicking no matter what happens.
MJ Ces: Cheers dude. Hope they hear us.
Luis: Hehehe… hoping you’re not guilty by association eh? considering how they’re cancelling accounts without any real grounds perhaps it’s smart 😉
San: Cheers
Gagandeep: Thanks I really hope they read your message.
Marlon: Wow! thanks for stopping by… really appreciate your support. Love your work too 🙂
Lesley: Agreed. Hope it’s just a glitch.
Ian: Hehehe my girlfriend like yours the best “David freaking Jenyns”. Nice.
Kevin: Thanks again. Got some good people behind me. We’ll give it our best shot.
Josh: Wise words from Schramko. Fortunately we didn’t build a business exclusively dependent on a third party solution… but… it still sucks big time.
Susan: Thank you a million times for your support.
Anthony: Interesting insight… perhaps you have something there but these very were so much more than working with Google. They were how to build a successful business. Hope they can look past 1-2 videos to see I’m here to support the community not hurt it.
Lee: Thanks Lee.
Mia: I try to be as honest and upfront as I can… hope they recognise this.
George K: Couldn’t agree more. Was good to hear Darren got back up and running though.
Jeff: Thanks jeff. time will tell what happens next.
Paul: Oooo nice post. Touched on some really good points there. Should things not work out as planned we’ll most likely look to do self hosting with amazon… that said, we really want to keep working with YouTube, we love them.
Jason: You’ve always got my back… thanks.
Jacki: I really really appreciate you taking the time to share. I couldn’t agree more now we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
Mike: Thanks Mike… was actually thinking of sending you an email. Will be in touch shortly.
Luke: You and me both!
Nhil: Thanks Nhil… I’m sure we’ll work it out.
Nic: Hoping it is a case of a bad mistake… just hoping all this support makes it clear I’m here to help… not hurt.
Can’t thank you guys enough for all the support. Really feeling the love here. Hopefully when YT America wakes up tomorrow they can look at this in a new light.
I’m one of the good guys.
Dave Jenyns
Come on YouTube, this is just not fair. Be a good sport and reinstate Dave Jenyns Account.
reg
Jurgen
I hope you can get your account back as soon as possible.
Your videos are of value.
David is one of the guy stand up guy who actually provide real value in his video, instead of promoting product after product in the video like others channel. I really hope Youtube can restore his account.
In a perfect world, you can’t delete someone else’s content, without getting consent, even if it means clutter. Youtube would like to think its a perfect world, where people do everything they can to support them, but at some point, someone has decided Youtube’s perfect world can do without xyz. This can only be seen as a backward step.
I can’t believe this happened. Let’s hope they individually case manage this one. Let’s get this You tube account back.
I think a warning and explanation, combined with a request to correct the error, would have been a reasoned approach.
Dave, I support you. Hope it will all be resolved within short time. Did not know that Youtube can be so unfair.
Here is hoping that all that free and useful content is back! Its shocking how sites with meaningful content gets pulled off without a warning or reason. Its crazy how they can deprive viewers of good content and punish publishers after they put in so much effort!
Dave do keep up updated on this blog once you get your videos restored as i am sure you will.
I think it is very unfair for you to be deleted suddenly and no warning or explanation given. I have always found your videos to be most instructive and some of them highly entertaining. I just hope YouTube sees reason and responds to the great support you obviously have out there.
Looks like I’ve got an update from Google… not too sure this helps though:
=========
Hi theseomethod,
Thanks for your email. Your “theseomethod” account has been found to have
violated our Community Guidelines. Your account has now been terminated.
Please be aware that you are prohibited from accessing, possessing or
creating any other YouTube accounts.
Penalty 1:
“How to do Search Engine Optimization – From Start to Finish” formerly at
Removed for violating our Terms of Use on 11/21/2010.
Please see http://www.youtube.com/t/terms and
http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines
Penalty 2:
“How To Make Money Online – 80/20 Rule.” formerly at
Removed for violating our Terms of Use on 06/11/2011.
Please see http://www.youtube.com/t/terms and
http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines
YouTube staff review flagged videos 24 hours a day, seven days a week to
determine whether they violate our Community Guidelines. When a video or
account is brought to our attention we investigate and take action if
necessary.
We are unable to provide specific detail regarding your account suspension
or your video’s removal. For more information on our what we consider
inappropriate content or conduct while using YouTube, please visit our
Community Guidelines and Tips at
http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines and our Help Center article
at http://help.youtube.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=92486.
Regards,
The YouTube Team
=========
First thing that comes to mind is that I thought we were supposed to get 3 strikes before we are out? Also, I thought strikes disappear after 6 months (the first one should have expired)? And that’s not to mention I’m still not 100% clear what I’ve done and they say they can’t give more detail.
Really quite frustrating… I just want to do what’s right here.
Dave “YT lover” Jenyns
Dear Larry & Sergey,
For a big company there is still a lot of goodwill out there for Google.
I use and love Google products.
But a reputation takes years to build and a moment to destroy.
Taking down the good guys like David Jenyns and Darren Rowse just encourages the Google haters.
Please put David’s account back up like you did with Darren (and apologize).
If there’s an issue with a particular video then deal with it on a video by video basis – not a whole of account basis.
Thanks,
John
Hope its server or other Youtube problem, and your account will be back soon. We need those videos! And i don’t think they brake any rules or law…
David has one of the most valuable YT accounts out there and I learned so much from him.
This clearly must be a mistake by some automated software. I can’t imagine how a human could come to this conclusion with so many spam and pirate YT accounts out there that don’t disappear.
Please review this and get in touch with Dave so he can correct what triggered this incident.
Well, at least that means that there’s someone in other side of the world (YT) who still reads messages from real people.
But still, there’s no clear reason why you got it from them, all they ask you to do is to keep on referring to their TOS/Community Guidelines.
Youtube,
Thanks for your reply, but can you please offer clearer explanation on this? A lot of people following these great guys will love you more if you do.
Hi youtube, part of what makes up your success is that lots of people come to you for how to videos, David was providing just that….the good kind that is…give us his account back and come up with better guide lines to distinguish the people that provide help to others and the ones that spam!
Thanks
Warmly
Carolin Hauser
PS: Honest business people rely on you
Dave, I’m behind you 100% – first heard you on the SBBM Podcast, have bought your Small Biz Internet Marketing DVDs and LOVE you YouTube videos!
Dear YouTube, please reactivate theSEMmethod’s account – this is quality content. I’m sure this is an oversight and I’m looking forward to learning from more of Dave’s videos.
As in my experience, I had already 2 warnings, that was because music I have used under the videos. I did nothing, because YouTube letter also said, I have nothing to do, that meant to disable music track in some specific countries. With other account, I have got some more sever warnings, I have published some football goals, for the 3rd time, they would have terminated the account. That’s right, that was my fault. (Or the one’s asked me to upland that content.)
But in this case should be something else, or there is some system issue or there could be some bad intentions – hope I am wrong here – from some competitors part. As I know it’s easy to report violations on videos, and the actions follow this reports automatically, no live person checks the content. It would be impossible taking in count how much content is uploaded hourly. Hope after the letter they take themselves and really will check your videos which are first class ones with authentic content. Good luck!
David –
Sorry to hear about this. I just commented on Seth Larabee’s Facebook page about “crap in, crap out” but I know you’ve done some great stuff on YouTube.
If YouTube is reading this then I hope they consider doing away with all of the foul-mouthed trash that gets posted on YouTube. I rarely go there and my children can’t go there for all the garbage that gets posted. If you want something to clean up, start there.
Youtube is becoming another Google with the increasingly arrogant and selfish attitude towards their users by simply deleting off accounts with any prior notice nor warning. They forgot its’ these same users’ content that help drive millions of netsurfers to their website and now they are simply chucking off accounts which help feed their mouth.
Its time someone in the legislation office start drawing up some laws to monitor and control these conceited and swollen-headed corporations. Youtube, do not simply delete off seomethod’s account. Show some class, fellows.
What a load of bureaucratic nonsense. Just the BIG company trying to play GOD except when you’ve done wrong God normally lets you know and His guidelines are as clear as day. your YT videos should be reinstated while you have a chance to answer your strikes and they should be explained clearly what is wrong. why oh why do we have to deal with companies like this.
I think this absolutely disgusting. There needs to be a contact office in each country for accounts that get terminated so you can work out what you have done wrong and walk through correcting it. It’s the same as Facebook. Something happens and there is nothing you can do. Maybe you were too good Dave. Google and YouTube might have discovered you really do have the SEO method wired and shut your voice down. Conspiracy!
Good luck buddy! And as a true entrepreneur you’ll know two people see these letters differently “no where are opportunities” and “now here are opportunities” . Same letters in each, different meanings. I’m sure you’ll see the later and discover something brilliant in this and make a killing $$$$$$
Good luck man!! You’ve always been my ‘go to’ for great video insight…and I hope I don’t have to find someone else!!
Sorry about that Dave…Wish there could be anything we could do to support…Good luck and don’t give up…Douglas
I’ve only every watched the highest quality content on David Jenyns’ Tou Tube videos – I hope this can be resolved and his account reinstated because he is genuinely helping people with his messages.
David Jenyns, in my experience, has provided superb quality YouTube videos that promote ethical marketing strategies which follow closely to both YouTube’s terms and Google’s too.
It would be a significant loss to the marketing community should they be unable to access these videos as they provide deep insight and intelligent content that supports the idea of providing great quality, well researched and valuable content as a means to promote yourself and share information online.
I would highly encourage YouTube to re-instate these videos which have been created through hours of dedication for no fee to support the learning of others.
Dave, I’m behind you all the way. Although I still like YouTube, I think that the problem is that Google and Co. have just become far too big. Their service is like Microsoft’s. Getting the attention of someone who has the authority to actually think on his own and make a decision, without consulting an arcane policy or a supervisor, is hit or miss, at best. The only big companies that seems to have avoided that customer “service” pitfall are Apple and GE.
Although, as I said above, I still like and use YouTube, it’s this type of pretentiousness that has caused me to stop using Google (in all but SEO testing), in favor of ixquick. When I do my SEO now, I target both Google and ixquick, because I think that, with all the “privacy” concerns about Google, that’s the way the market will be going.
It’s really sad to hear of YouTube terminating an account that has always provided good, helpful material. Your account was probably terminated by some 14th level flunky, with far more authority than someone of his pay grade should have been given, who misinterpreted some arcane policy. That’s the problem, when companies get so big. Their customer service department becomes unwieldily and full of un-thinking drones.
I wish you well in your account reinstatement campaign and I wish YouTube well in reversing the decline of their formerly at least adequate customer service.
Hi David – Sorry this has happened to you and I will tweet and do what I can to lend support. I noticed this yesterday after I downloaded your pdf and saw the account was closed, although you still have videos running out side of the account, at least that was of yesterday.
One thing it prompted me to do is open an Amazon S3 account to park all my videos and important files. I plan on doing all downloads from there on any pdfs or product offerings.
It is a good back up in case something like this happens.
PS. I had my account on probation for six months over a video I had embedded on my channel by mistake. It was obvious it was a mistake but they had me on warning for 6 months before my account was cleared.
So hang in there and see if with some support you can get your account back.
Best wishes.
This is very sad, to think that these large websites just do what they want… I understand that they own the domain and that they have the final word on who is part of the IN crowd & who is done IN for. I have seen this done many times, people make the content, add the content then the big guy shuts them down. The bad thing is that all that work is lost – You would think that they would atleast give you a chance to change whatever pissed them off – but not just shut you down and kicked you to the curb. That Sucks on their part – ALL OF THEM!
You ask us to donate content to build your kingdoms – Make a name for yourselfs then you act like a big baby and act like the spoiled kid on the basketball court and play the “Its my ball & you can’t play card” – YOU SUCK…
Great videos David
Good luck in getting the account back
Dear YouTube:
As a community, we truly appreciate your efforts to keep YouTube a safe place. Nobody and I mean nobody likes spam. I personally hate it and therefore appreciate all your efforts. That is why we entrust our brand and name in YouTube. We know you are looking out for us…
…but in this case, you’ve got it wrong. David Jenyns is a top of the line entrepreneur. I personally have learned an awful lot from him. By shutting down this account, you will hurt a lot of future webpreneurs that can learn a lot from people like David Jenys…please recheck and reactivate his account.
Dave, I sincerely hope you get reinstated soon. Your content is among the best on YouTube and has brought many internet marketing professionals important lessons on how to work within the established guidelines.
YouTube, Please reinstate theSEOmethod’s account. The training videos they provide are a valued service to the community. I also recommend you establish a formal review process that provides for account remediation in the event of findings of subjective violation of the community guidelines. There has to be a path to correct or dispute accusations of violations of the guidelines. AND all violations should specifically state what part of the guideline(s) was offended.
Hey, youtube – what have you done to theSEOMmethod’s account? There are millions of us – your clients – who love these vids.Even if Dave has done something wrong at least let him know what it is so he can sort it out.
He is a loyal, dedicated youtube fan and deserves better treatment than this.
I have learned so much from this guy which wouldn’t have happened without your assistance in hosting his videos, so come on – please give him his account back.
Dave has only provided me with content that I wanted.. He is always proper and works hard to give me valuable content and I mean good free content. I believe Dave to be a gentlemen and one of the good guys. YouTube please discuss this situation with Dave he at least deserves that.
YouTube is owned by Google… Google is a monolith that routinely captures as much personal data from all of us as they can, which is hardly a virtuous moral activity. They make arbitrary rules and then arbitrarily enforce them. It is obvious to me that they dont give a s$&t about custmers or customer service. They despise the very people that made them big and they only see you and I as numbers. They are not on our side and they are not our friend. They are a powerful corporate entity more interested in power and money than their audience. What amazes me is how often people believe the lie that Google ‘wants to deliver a good user experience’… what a crock!! is that why Google infests their searchresult with ads? why google mrketplace and you tube results will always show up before others? Personally, I think they’re revolting and I dont use them.
David,
Sorry to hear of your troubles.
Social Media Marketing (SMM) services like Facebook and YouTube are becoming an increasingly important part of the marketing mix, even for offline business owners, but in many respects they’re things I’m reluctant to recommend to clients precisely for the reasons that you have demonstrated. Imagine how frustrated a non-IM client, with a bricks & mortar business, will be if quality content they have paid to have created and uploaded is suddenly deleted for them!
If we made the recommendation, we’re likely to end up refunding their invoice too!!!
At best the answer from a business-owner’s perspective must surely be (as others have advised above) to create dual-purpose content, and simultaneously upload it to a site that is within their own control, “just in case” TPTB take it upon themselves to delete it from their SMM sites.
I’m certainly not sure that I like the idea of advising anyone to create content (i.e. expend time, effort, money and opportunity) exclusively for a so-called-free hosting service that makes its own rules and is essentially unaccountable. Free becomes very expensive when all the work your have investigated gets terminated without warning!!!
Is YT scoring an own goal here, amongst the more influential members of the user community?
Dave, so sorry to hear about this. I can fully appreciate the impact this will have on your business. You have my sympathies. Lets hope that YouTube/Google are listening because they’ve just turned off David Jenyns, the legend. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Hello YouTube,
Please reopen David Jenyn’s account at YouTube. I really enjoyed his videos.
Thanks
YouTube…
Stop not following your own rules and reinstate David’s channel !
What is this kind of unflexible approach, not giving a proper explanation or a chance to adapt to whatever rules you think may have been violated….
If we behaved like that in real life, social interaction would be impossible….
It would seem that SEO and ‘making money online’ seem to be triggering these problems. In the IM market I can see videos being flagged by the unscrupulous but it would appear that YouTube is not actually reviewing to see if they are valid complaints.
As for YouTube following their own rules…they don’t have to. Google is making up rules as they go along and they don’t have to be consistent or honorable unless they feel like it. Apparently they don’t feel like it.
The power Google and Facebook have at this point is very, very scary. Both too large. Both too influential. Facebook has very questionable values (ethics and morals do not seem to be part of their vocabulary) while Google seems to be losing their moral compass if the lack of congruity between their stated values and their actions are any indication.
Actually, I see YouTube’s point. You talk a lot about how to be successful and make money on the Internet. You go on to use buszwords like “80/20” and “online SEO coach”. You have 350 videos cross linked to a many sites, a lot of which may be cross link beyond coincidence to each other.
So Youtube’s algorithms pop up your account to be reviewed based on keywords and link patterns. This should not be a surprise.
Now a person looks at your stuff. I am guessing this person is expected to deal with huge volumes and does not have time to look at the proverbial big picture. It’s possible this is a relatively low paying job and the person doing it may not have been blessed to grow up in a first world democracy nor had the educational opportunities or business exposure to fully appreciate your content. And let’s face it…you deal in marketing-oriented products, so it’s hard not to sound a little salesy here and there!
So your stuff was stamped “This video has been removed as a violation of YouTube’s policy against spam, scams, and commercially deceptive content.” If your products did not work, Youtube would be justified.
The bottom line is somebody at Youtube made an large but understandable mistake. It’s only spam/scam/deceptive if it’s not true.
A man of your talents should be able to drill through and find a senior person at Youtube to talk to. Do that, show them proof that you stuff is legit and they will no doubt reinstate your account.
Hope this helps.
p.s. You didn’t think I was taking their side, did you? 😉
Hi David,
This is very strange, as I can still access your videos through my “subcription” on YouTube. I hope they don’t cut me off after seeing that! Certainly, I’ve never found any of your videos to be scammy, but always giving excellent free content.
I understand that there are Terms of Service, and though I don’t load anything to YouTube it’s sometimes easy to fall foul of these, particularly some time after you first signed up – if you ever read them in the first place! But with the extracts you provide, there doesn’t seem to be a reason for such drastic action even if something was wrong. I too hate it when an organization gets so large that you can’t even appeal to commonsense.
So, YouTube, consider this my vote to let Dave go, and free up his videos for all users. He certainly provides original and informative content which is more than some of your users. If it’s the result of a complaint and you haven’t watched the video yourselves, have you considered that a competitor, presumably under an assumed name, night be trying to mess up his business?
HELLO, “YOUTUBE PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! REOPEN MR. DAVID
JENYN’S ACCOUNT, I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! DO IT FOR US THANKS A MILLION.
YouTube Terminating- Make Money Online Accounts. As you probably heard this weekend, YouTube terminated thousands of Make Money Online Accounts.
Here is my take on this: As Internet Marketers we need Youtube for the traffic it generates to our sites, and to those of our clients. Youtube has become an indispensible part in all traffic generation strategies. The other Video sharing sites don’t even rank close to Youtube when it comes to page views and potential traffic funneling to our web properties.
I don’t think we, as Internet Marketers should take YouTube’s DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACK (Yes, I call it a denial of service) on our channels lightly.
We, “The Make Money On The Internet” crowd play a huge part in the training, coaching and education of people who ultimately become key customers for the top 10 Companies on the Internet.We “The Make Money On The Internet” crowd teach people how to make money on eBay. We teach people how to make money on Google. We teach people how to make money on Facebook. We teach people how to make money on Youtube. And Yes, We teach people how to make money on the Internet.
We are directly responsible for the billions of capital that goes to the top Internet and Tech companies on the NYSE and the NasDaq. Yes, I am freakin mad! It is people like you me and the millions of other entrepreneurs who got Youtube, Google, Facebook, EBay, Yahoo, Amazon where they are today.
We, the small time entrepreneurs are responsible for the Billions of dollars that they make. We are the driving force behind there rising stocks. We! We! We! Not corporate America! I am totally Freakin Pissed. Time for a Freakin Class Action Lawsuit.
Love you work Dave.
You provide good quality information & the occasional entertaining movie on YouTube. I have learned so much from your work in the past. Love your videos, have watched many of them…..but not anymore, I guess?
I can vouch for Dave, he provides good, relevant information, and he stands behind what he says, and sells. There are no empty promises or “blowing off hot air”.
Give him back his VOICE!!!
Brent
Anthony: Still no word yet… but I’m hopeful.
Kate: Cheers
Kai: Thanks!
Chris: Thanks for the prays.
Nick: Thanks dude.
Dave: Agreed. Really think if someone just sees this at YT they’d see the light.
ArteR: Will do.
Gary: Agreed, always have a backup plan and never rely on a third party too heavily when building biz.
Elaine: Glad you liked them.
John H: I really pride myself of the quality I put out, gald you noticed :)z
Kamil: Agreed.
Oliver: YT please listen to Oliver 🙂
Online Diva: I’m planning on emailing again. Hoping it goes through.
Carolin: Thanks for your support.
James: We’ll do our best to work through this… we’ll figure something out.
Mike N: Solid plan. Definately an eye opening experience.
John R: Wow! great post. Can feel your passion and it’s appreciated.
makiferenc: I think it’s time they update their methods for dealing with suspected violations… at the very least follow their own community guidelines.
Tim: Great to know you’ve got my back.
Vilio: We’ll see how we go.
Alex: Thanks dude.
Chris H: Hehehe… nice one.
J Wilson: Cheers dude.
James R: Thanks for the good vibes.
Jurgen: Yes!
Brad: Thanks dude.
Zhanargul: thanks for the support.
Doglas: Cheers! holding strong.
Jemma: Thanks.
Ingram: Please YT listen to Ingram 🙂
John G: Perhaps you’re right.
Claude: Yeah looking to Amazon S3 now.
Pete T: Cheers
Jackie: Always appreciated your suport over recent times.
Richard B: Thanks dude! will keep trying to get some attention.
J Laver: Thanks dude!
Laura: Way to go… starting to get bad vibes from Google myself 🙁
X: Thanks for stopping by and showing the support.
Danny: Thanks dude.
Harry: Couldn’t agree more.
Ron: Thanks.
Sandrine: Hehehe well said.
Susan: Agreed… feels a little like you’re building a house of cards if you use either of their services too heavily.
Michael: Feels a little that way.
Ray: Cheers dude.
Andrew: Definately need to focus on building your own assets.
Alan: Always appreciate your support.
NSE: Way to go.
Chis: Well balanced comment there… glad to see you’re on my side 🙂
John: Do you know any of the other accounts banned? I’d be keen to see if we can rally the trops.
Brent: Thank dude! We’ll get things rocken’ again. Can’t keep me down.
Really really appreciate all the support guys and girls… almost brings a tear to the eye.
Your SEO Coach,
Dave
Hello YouTube,
We are David Jenyn’s peers please re-activate his account!!
Thanks
Too bad to hear about the termination. Throughout the years I’ve got a lot of usefull info from David and he’s ALWAYS answered my e-mails whnever I’ve asked him something even though he lives in Australia and I live in Canada. Hopefully we will see this resolved.
I highly recommend David Jenyns’ videos to all the people who participate in my social media training sessions.
David is AMAZINGLY generous. He shares fabulous insights and educates us with the very latest SEO and marketing trends.
High marks for David Jenyns!!
William Kenderdine
Hey David, I just checked your YT channel and it seems to be working again!? Congrats!
YES!!! So glad to have you back!
Just confirmed it and I cannot believe my eyes! 🙂 Really, Dave, you got your videos up again! So happy for you!
I’m sure the rest of the guys here are also happy for you. 🙂
I have found the SEO method and David Jenyns to be very ethical, honest and they provide very relevant and educational material. The suspension from YouTube seems to me to be very unfair and the decision lacks transparency.
Congrats for getting the channel back up and running Dave!
Couldn’t believe my eyes this morning. Looks like someone was listening, and most importantly, looks like YouTube really do appreciate good quality content! 🙂
Yay! David is back on YouTube!!! As a follower and student of the BBS Formula, I must say I was shocked about your YouTube fiasco. You have been a great teacher and your work is first class. So happy that your channel has been restored!!!!
WOW – you did it. Congrats……wonder what tipped the balance in your favor?
Probloggers YouTube account did need to be suspended!
I LOVE the google v Yellowpages video! And the others!
Hope you can get this sorted! We will be watching to see that you are treated fairly.
Dave, we had the exact same youtube craziness happen to us. It’s a very helpless feeling when you felt wrongly treated with no real way to plead your case. I think it’s great you have such a vocal and loyal audience. There’s no doubt in my mind that you were putting out good content. That’s probably why if the comments are true they reinstated your account.
We’re pretty new so not sure if we have the sway to get someone at YouTube to pay attention to us.
Our sad little story I’ve documented here: http://elmaveshow.com/youtube-terminates-our-account-hates-sex-and-hates-freedom/
Hopefully something swings in our favor…
Either way, keep up the good fight.
Hey, maybe it is time to create a new and improved Youtube? They getn too “big for the britches”? Esp when they can’t even explain why they did this to you.
i had something similar happen with my blogger account.
Google said that I was a spammer. All I did was put out daily sales and markting tips (see my website at http://www.salestipaday.com) and they shut my account down. No explanation.
I finally moved it to wordpress and was able to be back up and running within 2 weeks.
It was frustrating, so I feel your pain.
Regards
Chris Hamilton
This is terrible man… for you, for us who like the vids…
Big bummer. Be sure you keep us updated mate.
Hang on… you’re back up?
Guessing I jumped the gun and this post it old…
how’d you get back online?
Hey Sammy,
All good… I’m back online 🙂
http://www.davidjenyns.com/general/everyone-loves-a-happy-ending-the-youtube-saga/
Cheers for the support. You can find out how I did it here:
http://www.davidjenyns.com/internet-marketing/youtube-termination/
Dave
Hi David!
Thank you very much for your guidance and help!
About twelve days ago YouTube unexpectedly terminated the account of Paul Chakursky, a small business owner and blogger. Paul ventured into the world of video production and entertainment, embedding his dreams and ideas into high-quality products and services. Two of his videos were flagged against the community guidelines, and his account was terminated without notice and explanation. Paul is following the steps of other account holders who were able to get their accounts reinstated. Please read the full story at
<>
and show your support.
Thank you!
-Paul