David Jenyns

I still love you Youtube – an open letter to @YouTube.

David Jenyns

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:

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?

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