Limited monetization refers to restrictions placed on a website, video, or other online content that limit the ability to earn revenue from that content. This is commonly seen on platforms like YouTube, where creators may have “limited” or “no” monetization due to copyright claims or community guideline violations.
Why would content have limited monetization?
There are a few key reasons why online content may have limited monetization:
- Copyright claims – If your content uses copyrighted material without permission, such as music or video clips, the copyright holder can issue a claim against your content. This will restrict or remove your ability to monetize that content.
- Community guideline violations – Platforms like YouTube have guidelines about appropriate content. If your content violates those guidelines, through hate speech, violent, or sexually explicit material, it may lose monetization.
- Reused content – Simply reuploading content created by someone else is often not allowed to be monetized. Platforms want original content to earn ad revenue.
- Affiliate links – Having too many affiliate links without enough original content can result in limited monetization.
- Other policy violations – Things like clickbait titles, incentivized views, or other policy breaches may also impact your ability to monetize.
In most cases, limited monetization is a result of either copyright issues or violations of platform policies and guidelines. Following the rules and creating original content is key to maintaining full monetization abilities.
What are the limits placed on monetization?
There are a few key limits platforms may put in place when content is subject to limited monetization:
- Suspended monetization – All ads and revenue generation is halted. You cannot earn anything from the content.
- Limited ads – Ads will still show on your content, but the number of ads served will be significantly reduced.
- Delayed monetization – Earnings will be heavily delayed, sometimes by months, before you begin receiving revenue.
- Reduced revenue share – You may only get a small percentage of the revenue earned from ads instead of the majority share.
In most cases, limited monetization heavily curtails the ability to earn revenue from content. The specific restrictions depend on the platform and the severity of the violation.
How can you resolve limited monetization?
There are a few steps you can take to get your monetization reinstated if it has been limited:
- Carefully review platform policies and guidelines to understand exactly where you violated the rules.
- Edit or remove any violating content. Delete the content completely if needed.
- Submit an appeal to the platform explaining the steps you’ve taken to resolve the issue.
- Wait for your appeal to be reviewed. This may take days or weeks depending on the backlog.
- If your appeal is rejected, you may need to remove more content or make additional edits until the issues are fully resolved.
With copyright claims, you may need to remove any infringing material completely. If you believe it falls under fair use, you can submit a fair use appeal, but the outcome is not guaranteed.
Overall, carefully following all platform guidelines and only using original content or properly licensed material will help avoid limited monetization in most cases.
What is demonetization?
Demonetization refers to when a platform like YouTube completely removes monetization and ability to earn revenue from a specific video or piece of content. This is a more severe form of limited monetization.
YouTube and other platforms may demonetize content if:
- There are severe or repeated community guideline violations
- A channel receives multiple copyright or policy violation strikes
- The content is considered unsuitable for most advertisers
In most cases, demonetization is permanent on a specific piece of content unless that content is heavily edited or removed. Appeals can be submitted, but success rates are low for demonetized videos.
How does limited monetization impact earnings?
Limited monetization can severely reduce the earnings derived from online content like YouTube videos. Here is an overview of how it impacts revenue:
- Suspended monetization = $0 revenue
- Limited ads = 60-90% reduction in earnings
- Delayed monetization = Earnings delayed by weeks or months
- Reduced revenue share = Only 10-30% of typical earnings
In most cases, limited monetization cuts potential earnings from content by over 50%. In severe cases like demonetization, it removes the ability to earn anything at all on that content.
Impact on YouTube channel revenue
If just one or two videos on a YouTube channel face limited ads or demonetization, the overall impact may be relatively small. But if a majority of videos on a channel are impacted, the channel’s monthly or yearly revenue can decrease substantially.
For example, if 80% of a channel’s videos are fully demonetized, that channel’s total yearly revenue could decrease by 60-80%. Without a significant backup source like Patreon or merchandise, limited monetization can tank a YouTube channel’s earnings.
Potential impact on sponsors
Brand sponsorships are another important source of revenue for many content creators. However, sponsors may avoid working with channels that have frequent violations or demonetization.
Excessive limited monetization gives the impression that a channel does not follow important guidelines or produces “unsafe” content. As a result, sponsorship deals could dry up due to violations leading to limited monetization.
Can you appeal limited monetization?
Most platforms do allow creators to appeal instances of limited or suspended monetization. Here are some tips for successfully appealing limitations:
- Be very familiar with the platform’s policies so you understand what rule was violated.
- Remove any violating content immediately.
- Apologize sincerely and explain how you will prevent violations going forward.
- Highlight any other content on your channel or site that complies with policies.
- Patiently wait for a response, which can take 30 days or longer in some cases.
Even with perfect appeals, success is not guaranteed. But following these steps gives you the best chance of overturning an incorrect monetization restriction.
Can you reapply for monetization after being rejected?
If your appeal is definitively rejected, you may be able to reapply for monetization after a certain time period passes. This depends on the policy and platform:
- YouTube – Wait at least 30 days, remove violating content, then reapply.
- Facebook – Wait 90 days after violations to reapply.
- Twitch – Wait 60 days after a suspension before trying again.
The key is showing that you understand the violations and have removed any infringing content. Over time, as you build up compliant content, you have a better chance of getting monetization restored.
Can policy violations lead to account termination?
In severe cases, egregious or repeated violations of platform policies related to monetization can result in account termination. This is uncommon but can happen if:
- You repeatedly post stolen content and refuse to remove it when notified.
- You try to evade bans by creating new channels or accounts.
- Your content violates laws related to slander, copyright, inappropriate content involving minors, and more.
Stick to original content, comply with takedown requests, and avoid illegal content. This will minimize the risk of losing your account entirely due to policy violations.
What are best practices to avoid limited monetization?
Here are some best practices creators should follow to maintain full monetization abilities:
- Understand platform policies and guidelines thoroughly.
- Produce completely original content whenever possible.
- Properly license any copyrighted material used under fair use.
- Avoid overly aggressive affiliate linking and marketing strategies.
- Don’t try to cheat subscriber, view count, or other metrics.
- Consult legal counsel about liability for slanderous or illegal content.
Following all platform rules, staying away from copyrighted content, and sticking to legal, original ideas are the keys to avoiding issues with limited monetization.
Conclusion
Limited monetization places restrictions on earning revenues from online content due to copyright claims or platform policy violations. It can severely reduce or eliminate earnings on specific pieces of content or entire channels in some cases.
Carefully following platform guidelines, only using original content, and avoiding illegal material are the best ways creators can prevent limited monetization. If violations occur accidentally, promptly removing infringing content and submitting polite appeals can sometimes overturn incorrect limitations.
With the right compliance practices, creators can produce lots of content that meets platform standards and avoids the major revenue reductions caused by limited monetization.