There are a few main reasons why a video may be removed from Facebook:
Copyright Infringement
One of the most common reasons a video is removed from Facebook is due to copyright infringement. Facebook’s Terms of Service state that users cannot post content that violates someone else’s intellectual property rights, including copyright and trademark. If a video contains copyrighted material like music, images, or footage that the poster does not have the rights to use, then it can be reported and removed.
Graphic, Violent, or Hateful Content
Facebook prohibits content that is graphically violent, incites violence, or contains hate speech. Videos containing disturbing, graphic violence such as death, torture, dismemberment, cruelty, or beating may be taken down. Videos promoting hate speech or violence against protected groups will also be removed.
Nudity or Sexual Content
Facebook restricts nudity and sexual content to avoid child exploitation or non-consensual intimate imagery. Videos showing genitalia, fully nude buttocks, or female nipples will likely be removed. Content depicting sexual acts or masturbation, even if not nude, may also violate Facebook’s policy.
Scams or Misinformation
Videos promoting scams, like fake giveaways, phishing attempts, or shady business opportunities are not allowed. Facebook also removes false or misleading content like hoaxes, conspiracy theories, and fake news to reduce the spread of misinformation.
Harassment or Bullying
Videos that harass, bully, or intimidate others, like malicious personal attacks or threats of violence, go against Facebook’s rules. Targeted content meant to demean an individual is prohibited.
Spam or Misleading Clicks
Facebook does not allow repetitive or irrelevant posts made solely to drive clicks and traffic. Videos considered clickbait or posted repeatedly in quick succession to game the algorithm may get removed.
Main Reasons Videos Get Removed from Facebook
Here are some of the top reasons why Facebook takes videos down:
| Reason for Removal | Description |
|---|---|
| Copyright Infringement | Video contains copyrighted material like music, images, footage without permission |
| Graphic/Violent Content | Depicts disturbing, graphic violence, cruelty, torture, death |
| Hate Speech | Promotes violence or attacks towards protected groups |
| Nudity/Sexual Content | Shows genitals, nudity, sexual acts, or explicit activity |
| Scams/Misinformation | Spreads hoaxes, fake news, conspiracy theories, false claims |
| Harassment/Bullying | Contains personal attacks, threats, malicious speech against individuals |
| Spam/Clickbait | Posted repeatedly to drive traffic, uses sensationalist headlines |
Copyright Infringement Takedowns
Copyright infringement is one of the leading reasons behind video removals on Facebook. Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), copyright holders can request takedowns of content that infringes on their intellectual property rights. If a video includes copyrighted music, video clips, images or other material without authorization from the rights holder, it violates Facebook’s Terms and can be removed.
For example, if a user uploads a homemade video with a popular song playing in the background without permission from the artist, the record label could file a DMCA notice to take it down. Or if a video features lengthy segments of copyrighted TV shows or movies, the production studios may request its removal. Even memes or videos using someone else’s viral footage can end up removed for copyright reasons.
Removing Violent, Graphic, or Hateful Videos
Facebook prohibits violent, graphic, and hateful videos to prevent real-world harm. any videos depicting graphic violence against people or animals will be taken down. This includes torture, dismemberment, beating, bullying, domestic violence, gruesome injuries, cruel animal abuse and killing. Even digitally altered or fictional depictions of graphic violence may get removed.
Inciting violence against individuals or groups, including public figures, is also banned. Specific threats of violence as well as general calls to arms or celebrations of violent acts violate policy. Facebook also does not allow hate speech, direct attacks, or harmful stereotypes against protected categories including race, religion, gender, and orientation.
While some graphic news content may be permitted with a warning screen, propagandistic, sensationalist, or celebrating acts of violence are removed. Videos promoting terrorist organizations, murderers, hate groups or organized criminal activity are strictly prohibited as well.
Sexual Content Moderation
Facebook limits nudity and sexual content to prevent exploitation. Videos containing full nudity including bare female breasts/nipples, bare buttocks, or genitalia cannot be posted. Content depicting sexual acts like intercourse, masturbation or fetish activity is also not allowed. Overly suggestive posing or camera angles focusing on intimate body parts will likely get removed as well.
Even clothed content can violate standards if it shows suggestion of sexual activity, arousal, groping, or fondling. Facebook may allow breastfeeding content but takes down clear sexual activity or gratification. Educational, satirical, or public health sexual content may be exempt if not overly graphic. Promoting sex products, services or pornography can also lead to video removal.
The main aim is blocking exploitative depictions of minors, non-consensual intimate imagery, or depictions of sexual assault. Facebook relies on moderators and automated systems to identify policy violations and take down inappropriate sexual material.
Removing Scams and Misinformation
To combat misinformation, Facebook removes videos promoting hoaxes, medical myths, fake news and conspiracy theories likely to cause real-world harm. Content falsely claiming approved COVID-19 vaccines kill people or that climate change is a hoax violate policy, for instance. Videos promoting sham medical cures, misleading dietary or health claims, or election/voting misinformation also get taken down.
Facebook does not allow scams on its platform either. Common video scams include fake product giveaways (“Free Amazon gift cards!”), phishing links disguised as games/quizzes, bait-and-switch ads, and money-flipping schemes promising unrealistic returns. Videos promoting dubious business opportunities with exaggerated earnings claims, investment scams, or “get rich quick” pyramid schemes will also be removed.
Identifying and stopping the spread of false news and online scams is an ongoing priority and challenge for the platform. Automated fact-checking partnerships with third-party organizations and human review help enforce Facebook’s guidelines against misleading content and fraud.
Removing Harassment, Bullying and Threats
Facebook does not tolerate harassment or bullying on its platform. Videos that target private individuals with malicious personal attacks, shaming, incitement of others to harass, or threats of violence or criminal acts violate standards. Content deliberately mocking, baiting or intimidating people, especially minors, will be taken down.
Even “prank” or “joke” videos can cross the line into harassment when they subject unsuspecting individuals to humiliation, aggressive confrontation or deeply discomforting surprise. Videos showing physical altercations or assault between minors may also be removed to discourage bullying behavior. Comments on videos that contain harassment or bullying may be deleted as well.
Facebook relies on user reports and automated detection tools to identify harassing content so it can be reviewed and removed in a timely manner. Deleting attacks and threats helps promote a safer, more respectful community.
Removing Spam and Clickbait
To optimize the user experience, Facebook cracks down on excessive, disruptive or misleading content. Videos with clickbait or sensationalist titles intended to drive clicks rather than provide value get removed. Repeatedly posting duplicate or irrelevant videos just to boost views and algorithmic reach violates Facebook’s guidelines.
“Like-bait” posts fishing for engagement through forced interactions or shares also tend to get taken down for spam. Auto-sharing videos to users’ News Feeds through contacts in quick succession is prohibited as well. Facebook aims to deliver an authentic, engaging feed by filtering out manipulative posting behavior and clear clickbait.
However, context matters. An individual sincerely sharing a personal video that happens to go viral organically is different than an account reposting content aggressively to game the system. Facebook considers intent and on-platform behavior in assessing spammy posting patterns.
The Video Removal Process on Facebook
Here is an overview of how Facebook enforces its content policies by removing videos that violate standards:
Automated Detection
Facebook uses sophisticated artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to proactively detect policy-breaking content at the time of posting or soon after. Automated systems scan for signs of nudity, violence, spam, terror-related content and more. They use visual and audio cues in videos as well as natural language processing to identify high-risk material.
User Reports
Facebook relies heavily on user reporting to flag problematic videos. Users can report videos directly by clicking the “Report Post” option. Reported content gets reviewed by Facebook’s content moderation teams. Mass user reporting helps prioritize videos for urgent removal.
Human Review
Once identified, violating videos go to Facebook’s content moderation teams for human review. Large internal teams as well external partner organizations assess videos against Facebook’s detailed content policies. Context is considered: humor and satire may be treated differently than malicious attacks, for instance.
Removal or Restriction
If found in violation, Facebook may remove the video entirely so it’s no longer visible. However, they may also restrict it so only the uploader can see it or limit its reach with warning screens. Severe or repeat offenses can result in disabling accounts. Removed content gets noted in Facebook’s public Transparency Center.
Appeals Process
Users can appeal video removals they believe made in error. Facebook’s Oversight Board also reviews and provides policy guidance on difficult content decisions, though it’s a limited resource. But in cases of clear policy violations, removed videos usually stay removed upon re-review.
Avoiding Video Removal on Facebook
Here are some tips to help avoid getting a video taken down from Facebook:
Post Original Content
Use only photos, video, audio and other content you created or have explicit rights to share. Avoid copyrighted songs, clips, images, or footage owned by others without authorization. Creating original, owned content is the best bet.
Get Consent for People Featured
If filming identifiable people, especially minors, get their consent beforehand. And avoid posting embarrassing, private or insensitive footage featuring others without permission.
Avoid Nudity/Explicit Content
Steer clear of full nudity, revealing poses, graphic violence or sexual acts not allowed under Facebook’s policies. Keep in mind the public, all-ages nature of the platform.
Check Facts before Sharing
Don’t spread misinformation or unverified claims that could mislead viewers or incite offline harm. Stick to factual content from reputable sources.
Credit Sources
When sharing news clips or other non-original content, credit the creator/source appropriately to avoid copyright issues. Commentary or critique may count as fair use but check rules.
Review Community Standards
Familiarize yourself fully with Facebook’s detailed Community Standards to understand what content is and isn’t permitted. When in doubt, leave it out!
Conclusion
Facebook removes videos that violate its rules against nudity, violence, hate, harassment, infringing content and misinformation in order to protect users. Understanding the specific reasons videos get taken down based on the platform’s detailed Community Standards can help you avoid removals. While Facebook relies on AI to detect violating content at scale, human review provides important nuance. Following the guidelines and posting responsibly is the best way to share videos safely and successfully on the platform. With billions of users, crafting policies that balance free expression, safety, and accuracy remains an evolving and vitally important challenge as Facebook works to keep its platform secure.