If you’re a YouTube creator, nothing sends a chill down your spine faster than an unexpected message from YouTube saying your channel has been removed from the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). That’s exactly what happened to me.
[Action Needed] Your YouTube channel will be suspended from the YouTube Partner Program
We noticed some issues with your channel
We found that a portion of your channel may not be in line with our YouTube channel monetization policies.
Reviewers’ feedback
Policy: Reused content
Policy description: Content is not clearly an original creation of this channel. Learn more.
Your channel is still earning, but will be suspended from YPP on Apr 23, 2025 if we don’t receive more information. We would like to offer you an opportunity to appeal without any interruption to your monetization for the next 7 days. Once your channel is suspended, you won’t be able to monetize, and you’ll lose access to monetization tools and features.
What you need to do now
Go to the Earn page in YouTube Studio and review the issues with your channel. To appeal this decision, create a video providing additional information about your channel. Learn more.
Sincerely,
The YouTube team
Despite being a long-time creator with completely original content, one of my channels was flagged for “reused content”—a vague and frustrating label that can threaten the livelihood of any content creator. Here’s my story, and how I successfully appealed the decision and kept my monetization intact.
The Shocking Email
My channel, which has been part of the YouTube Partner Program for over 13 years and contains nearly 5,000 original videos, was suddenly flagged. The email cited “reused content” as the violation. The same message appeared in my YouTube Studio dashboard.
For context, this warning wasn’t issued to the channel you’re probably watching now, which is my second, smaller channel (around 3 years old). The flagged channel is my main one, and it’s where I’ve poured in years of effort creating original videos from scratch—no re-uploads, no copied content.
The Confusing Accusation
Let me be absolutely clear: I do not reuse other people’s content. Even when I produce the same video in different languages across my two channels, I make sure the audio and video are uniquely tailored for each one.
That said, there is one difference. On the channel that was flagged, I regularly post YouTube Shorts. I don’t do that on my second channel. And I suspect that’s what triggered the automated flag.
The Problem with YouTube Shorts
Let’s be honest—YouTube Shorts is flooded with TikTok compilations, low-effort content, and recycled clips. It’s clear YouTube is trying to clean that mess up by cracking down on what it perceives as reused content.
Unfortunately, it seems their detection system is overzealous, flagging even 100% original creators like myself. It’s frustrating because my Shorts, just like my full-length videos, are completely original—shot, edited, and produced by me.
The Appeal Process: What You Need to Know
YouTube gives you 7 days to appeal the demonetization decision. During this window, monetization stays active.
To appeal, you need to:
Create a video explaining how you come up with video ideas and your content creation process.
Showcase your editing workflow, including proof that you’re using original materials.
Include the URL of your channel within the first 30 seconds of the video.
Keep the video under 5 minutes.
Upload it as Unlisted and submit the link through the appeal form.
I followed all these steps—though not without hiccups. My first version of the video was longer than 5 minutes, and the form rejected it. (Pro tip: read the instructions carefully!) After trimming it down, I resubmitted.
The (Surprisingly Fast) Result
Within just a few hours, YouTube responded: my appeal was successful, and monetization would continue. They also advised that I should keep the appeal video unlisted and not delete it, as it may be reviewed again in the future.
Your appeal was successful. Your channel will continue monetizing.
We’re happy to share that your YouTube Partner Program appeal was successful, and your channel can continue to monetize.
Our team carefully reviewed both your content and your video appeal. Your appeal helped us better understand how you create your videos, your content strategy, and your channel’s brand.
Thanks for submitting an appeal and for your patience while we reviewed it. We realize this was extra work for you, and we appreciate your help in improving our review processes.
Please do not delete your appeal video. We will continue to reference it when reviewing your channel in the future.
Thanks,
The YouTube team
Here’s the curious part: I made sure not to view the video myself after uploading it. More than a month later, the video still shows zero views. So, it’s likely that no one actually watched it—the appeal was processed automatically.
What This All Means
This experience shows how automated systems, not humans, are often in charge of critical decisions that affect creators’ livelihoods. It’s disheartening to think that years of original work can be questioned by an algorithm, with minimal human oversight.
Still, if you’re in the same situation, there is hope. Follow the steps, present your case clearly, and there’s a good chance your appeal will go through—automatically or not.
Final Thoughts
YouTube’s system isn’t perfect, and the experience can be frustrating. But as creators, we have to work within the system while continuing to push for better support and transparency.
If you’ve received a reused content violation and know your work is original, don’t panic—appeal it. And hopefully, like me, you’ll come out of it with your channel (and monetization) intact.