Prevent reuploads of removed videos

If you didn’t initially select the Prevent Copies option, you can't select it for a removal request you already submitted. If you find another video that contains content that violates your copyright, use the webform to submit a new removal request. Be sure to select the Prevent Copies option before you submit.

You might not see any copies of the same content automatically prevented from reupload if:

• Your removal request has not been approved.
• No copies of the removed content have been identified.

The Prevent Copies feature tries to prevent copies of the removed content from being reuploaded. The feature takes effect after your removal request is approved. It’s possible the video you found may have been uploaded before it was approved.

Short clips of your content may not be prevented from being uploaded. Our system may not consider these to be a copy of the removed content.

If you found a copy of removed content, you can report it using our webform. You can also check if the video you found shows up in your Matches tab and submit a removal request from there.

The Automatically prevented column shows the number of copies of removed content. These videos were automatically prevented from appearing on YouTube when a user tried to upload them.

When the Automatically prevented status is Active, it means YouTube is actively trying to prevent others from uploading these copies.

The Find matches column indicates whether YouTube is searching for potential copies of removed content.

When the Find matches status is Active, it means YouTube is actively searching for potential copies of removed content. These potential copies weren’t automatically prevented from upload because they weren’t identified as copies, but are considered potential copies.

Note: The status of these columns can show as Inactive when your removal request becomes inactive. This can happen if you’ve retracted your removal request or if a video was reinstated as a result of a counter notification.

Not every use of your content may infringe on your copyright. There are copyright exceptions like fair use, which could mean a use of your content may be valid.

Our system will show you potential copies of removed content, but it’s up to you to decide what action to take. If you believe a potential copy violates your copyright, you can submit a removal request for that potential copy.

Since these videos weren’t uploaded, there’s no action for you to take. The running count of videos shown in the Automatically prevented column will give you an idea of how many copies were prevented from being reuploaded.

Regardless of privacy settings, our system will try to identify copies of removed content and automatically prevent them from being reuploaded.

For matches that need your review, we’ll only surface videos that are publicly available.

Yes, the Prevent Copies feature can prevent copies and surface potential copies if your copyrighted non-video content is located in a video.

Keep in mind, our system only checks videos uploaded to YouTube. If your non-video content is located in a description or thumbnail image, or anywhere that's not in the video itself, our system won't be able to identify it.

Having worldwide exclusive rights means that only you, or the client you represent, control the use and distribution of the content worldwide.

YouTube’s copyright management tools are designed for different types of creators, from occasional uploaders to established media companies. Content ID is available to copyright owners with the most complex copyright management needs.

To qualify for Content ID, copyright owners must own exclusive rights to a substantial body of original material that is frequently uploaded to YouTube. They must also have an advanced knowledge of copyright and the resources necessary to manage Content ID, among other criteria. Learn more about Content ID eligibility.

Yes. Once you successfully remove a video using the “Original Song” type of work in the webform, YouTube will try to prevent copies of the same audio from being reuploaded. 

In addition, Copyright Match Tool will surface videos with audio that could potentially match your song or audio content. Keep in mind that, if someone used a portion of your song or audio content in their video, it won’t be surfaced by the Copyright Match Tool.

You can find more info in YouTube Studio:

1. From the left menu, select Content.
2. In the Restrictions column, hover over Terms and policies. The pop-up will tell you that your video could not be uploaded as it contains a copy of content from a video we’ve previously removed due to a copyright removal request. It will show you who issued the copyright removal request, when the request was received, and the title of the claimant's copyright-protected work.

We’ll also send you an email when your video is prevented from being uploaded, which will include this info.

No, if a video is automatically prevented from being uploaded, it doesn’t affect your channel and won’t result in copyright strikes or Community Guidelines strikes.

If you believe your video should be uploaded, you can file an appeal using the link in the popup.

In your appeal, you should provide us with:

1. Your contact information

If YouTube accepts your appeal, we will forward it to the claimant who submitted the copyright removal request, including your personal information. They may use this information to contact you regarding your appeal. If you are concerned about sharing your personal information with the claimant, you may appoint an authorized representative (such as an attorney) to submit appeals on your behalf. The authorized representative must use their own YouTube account to submit the request. Also, they need to specify their relationship to you.

2. Valid video URL of the video that was prevented from being uploaded

This should appear automatically upon clicking the link in the popup to file an appeal.

3. Why you believe you have all necessary rights to upload the video

In your own words, explain why you have all necessary rights to upload the video, and attach supporting documentation. This will go to the claimant for review.

4. Statements

You must agree to the following 2 statements:

• I declare that I have all necessary rights to upload the content in question to YouTube.
• I declare that the information in this appeal is true and complete. I understand that filing an appeal containing false information may result in the termination of my YouTube account.

5. Your Signature

Typing your, or your authorized representative’s (where applicable), full legal name would act as a digital signature. A full legal name should be a first and last name, not a company or channel name.