Let's Talk About Youtube's New Content ID System

Recently Google made the Content ID system on Youtube more aggressive and people who produce video game related content were hit the hardest. But before we continue, let’s educate the ignorant about what the Content ID system does. Basically it’s an automated system (or bot) that scans uploaded videos on Youtube and checks if they match any copyrighted material in their database such as films and music. If a positive is found the ad revenue from the video is given to the copyright holders while the person who uploaded the video, doesn’t receive a cent. In some instances, having several ID matches can result in the closure of your account.

This can be a major issue if you’re a partner that makes a living off Youtube. Classic Game Room, which has been on Youtube since 2007, has decided to leave and upload their reviews on their own site. Probably because they can make money off the ads they run on their site without any interference from Google or Youtube.

Now why has Google suddenly become so strict? Well my theory is it might have something do with closure of a certain website like “Megaupload”. Which encouraged people to upload copyrighted material such as films and music. Probably because they could sell premium account subscriptions to give you faster, ad-free access to the copyrighted content on their servers. Because of these unethical practices, the FBI shut them down and made several arrests. Google obviously wants to avoid a similar fate and demonstrate vigilance against people who upload copyrighted material.

Fortunately my channel hasn’t received any ID matches and here are some tips to avoid getting any Content ID matches on your future videos.

- Don’t use any copyrighted songs, music or footage that isn’t taken from a video game. If you need music in your videos, use stock or free domain music. But please check with the rights holder if you can freely use their music without paying royalties in monetised videos. Alternatively Youtube does offer stock music for free. You can download this music from the “Creation Tools” in the “Video Manager” section of your Youtube account.

- When applicable, go to the options menu of the game you’re playing and turn off the music or mute the audio when editing the footage. Most of the content ID matches are triggered by the soundtrack of the game.

- Avoid using game play footage that uses copyright material from a non gaming-source. For example many games based on a movielike Tomorrow Never Dies feature live-action footage from said film. This will most likely get a content ID match.

- Some publishers issue an outline of what content from their games they want or don’t want uploaded Youtube. Reviewing these is a good idea.

- Uploading game play footage without commentary or any educational value is not fair use.

If you still get a Content ID match and think your video uses game play footage within the terms of fair use. Some publishers can help remove the Content ID match if you contact them via email.