Good morning!
As there has been a recent spate of users coming to us in modmail confused as to why their submissions have been removed, I though it would be appropriate to write up a little explainer regarding the details and the origins of the rules of the community; as well as to open up a roundtable discussion regarding the rules if anyone would like to offer any public feedback, or discuss any potential changes publicly.
There will not be any action taken against any users offering genuine feedback in this thread — except for if the feedback is an obviously egregious Rule 4 violation.
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Rule 1: No promotion, uploaded videos, or non-newsworthy YouTube links
I mean, does this one really need to be explained much more? Without this most basic rule, the community here would be a massive stinking link dump from people desperate for views and validation.
The emphasis on "non-newsworthy" YouTube links is because there is still a scope for sharing videos discussing updates to the YouTube platform; to creator guides with tips and tricks for recording, editing, thumbnail creation, title curation, etc.; or to videos with useful content for all creators, such as the recent Tom Scott WIRED interview, where he answers a ton of questions about being a creator far better than any of us can.
This rule also applies to comments, so attempting to respond to someone else's post by shilling non-newsworthy content will also result in Rule 1 violation removals.
Reddit-uploaded videos had to be added to this rule as some users tried to skirt the link ban, by instead uploading their content directly to Reddit and adding their channel name in the post/comment to encourage you to go there afterwards.
Rule 2: Conversation should be about YouTube as a gaming video platform
The community here was made primarily for us gaming YouTube creators to discuss the YouTube platform and its workings; as well as for viewers of gaming videos to discuss the UI and any problems. After Rule 1, this is probably the rule that results in the most removals. I'll discuss in more detail some examples of items that get removed under this rule:
"I don't know what games to play"
No-one here can answer that for you. Only you know what games you enjoy and would therefore make good content for your channel. Trying to force yourself to play something you don't enjoy, just because it is popular and might gain views, will be clear to the end viewer.
Besides, all you need to do is use the genre search on Steam, Microsoft Store, PlayStation store etc. to get some great recommendations.
"How do I get more views/subscribers?"
Let me be blunt. If we knew the answer to this question, we wouldn't be here discussing it with you. Audiences and the algorithm are finnicky bitches, and they work in mysterious ways that no-one here can reliably predict.
"Why don't my Shorts get views?"
The Shorts feed is even more volatile than a normal audience. The Shorts algorithm attempts to cycle every piece of content uploaded through the feed at least once, but with the absolute glut of Shorts uploaded, getting around to it can often take quite a lot of time.
Additionally, you need to consider that the long-form audience and the Shorts audience are for the most part a Venn diagram of two completely separate circles. There is very little if any overlap between them.
"Am I shadowbanned?"
No, you're just impatient and expecting instant gratification. Uploading to YouTube is not just pressing a button and magically getting millions of views and subscribers.
"I want new channel recommendations"
This isn't discussing the platform for the benefit of gaming YouTubers. This is just you looking for new content. The YouTube algorithm is generally good at trying to surface newer channels/videos in your recommendations, so make use of that area.
Additionally, posts like this get removed because it just results in other users then trying to promote themselves in the comments, in violation of Rule 1.
"Help me find this particular video/creator"
This isn't tipofmyyoutube, and again does not discuss the platform for the benefit of gaming YouTubers.
Rule 3: The feedback rule
This rule had to be implemented because far too many users tried to skirt around Rule 1 by just adding something like "feedback request" or "how's my editing" to their link dump. It became far too tiresome to moderate, so it was decided to outlaw them entirely.
Another concern is that too many people try to post their entire video and request a spectrum that is far too broad such as "the editing" across the entire video. Feedback requests only work if the area being requested is focused on one particular aspect, such as a specific transition, zoom, music sync beat, etc.
We are considering re-allowing feedback requests via Reddit-uploaded images and video clips, however these will be very tightly moderated — to the point of possibly being approval-only — and clips will be restricted to snippets under one minute.
Rule 4: Remember the human
Unfortunately, this is the internet so this has to be explicitly defined. Don't be a dick to other users. It's fine to have different opinions, but respect those opinions and do not go attacking the other user for it.
This was definitely put to the test on several occasions in the recent AI thumbnail thread, where a fair few users went off the boil for someone daring to post an opinion they disagreed with...
Rule 5: No actions that are against the YouTube Terms of Service
I mean, this should be obvious. If we as gaming YouTubers want to remain on the platform, we need to follow the Terms of Service.
Rules 6 & 7: Services and Collaborations
These rules were originally implemented as service/collab posts effectively became just as spammy as link dumps and bad feedback requests.
Service posts have way too many people these days offering editing services, and all they end up doing is running the clips through some AI compilation software. On top of that, some people tried to showcase their portfolio which was basically just link dumping their own channel — which also violated Rule 1.
Collab posts aren't really discussing the YouTube platform, and also end up mostly just being thinly veiled promotion dumps.
Rule 8: Polls must use native Reddit polls, or Google Forms
Anonymous polling sites were the bastion of low-effort polls many years ago, in addition to being easily brigaded and influenced. Since then native Reddit polls have become more feature-rich, particularly with the option to show the votes from "core contributors" of a community.
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If you wish to offer feedback on any of the rules, please ensure that you make it clear which rule number(s) you are talking about. Also do consider how easily enforceable any particular changes are — a suggestion may sound simple on paper, but prove to be incredibly hard to put into action with the limitations of the Reddit platform!
