Many people are asking, “Can I monetize gameplay videos without commentary on YouTube?” nowadays. Well, you’re lucky! It’s actually possible to monetize gameplay videos without commentary. In fact, there are many successful YouTubers who do just that.
When it comes to creating gameplay videos, many aspiring content creators wonder if they can monetize their videos without including commentary. Frankly, not everyone like the idea of talking over their videos.
While YouTube’s policy states that educational or informative commentary is necessary for monetization, there are still successful channels out there that solely feature gameplay with no commentary. Let’s see some topics of monetizing gameplay videos without commentary here.
Can I Monetize Gameplay Videos Without Commentary on YouTube?
Monetizing gameplay videos on YouTube is possible, but it depends on the commercial use rights granted by the video game publishers. Some publishers allow you to use all video game content for commercial use, while others may have some restrictions or prohibitions. You should always check the legal video policy document of the publisher before uploading and monetizing gameplay videos.
You can monetize gameplay videos with or without commentary, as long as you do not include any copyrighted sounds or music that are not covered by the game publisher. You can also use other methods of monetization, such as affiliate marketing, sponsorships, or course sales.
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YouTube’s Monetization Policy
YouTube’s Monetization Policy is a set of rules and regulations that creators must follow to earn money from their videos through various monetization features, such as AdSense, Channel Memberships, and Super Chat. These policies include:
- YouTube Partner Program (YPP): This is the main program that allows creators to monetize their videos with ads and other features. To join YPP, creators need to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as having at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months.
- Advertiser-friendly content guidelines: These are the guidelines that determine whether a video is suitable for ads or not. Videos that contain inappropriate or harmful content, such as violence, hate speech, nudity, or misleading information, may not be eligible for monetization or may receive limited or no ads.
- Content ID: This is a system that helps YouTube and rights holders manage and protect their intellectual property on YouTube. Content ID scans uploaded videos and compares them with a database of files submitted by content owners. If a match is found, the rights holder can choose to monetize, block, or track the video.
- YouTube’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines: These are the general rules that apply to all users and creators on YouTube. They cover topics such as spam, harassment, privacy, and security. Violating these rules may result in penalties, such as strikes, suspensions, or terminations.
YouTube’s Monetization Policy is constantly evolving to reflect the changing needs and expectations of the platform, the creators, the advertisers, and the viewers. Therefore, creators need to stay updated and informed about the latest changes and best practices.
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What Stops A YouTube Video From Being Monetized?
Several factors can stop a YouTube video from being monetized, such as:
- Not meeting the eligibility criteria for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months.
- Violating the advertiser-friendly content guidelines, which prohibit inappropriate or harmful content, such as violence, hate speech, nudity, or misleading information.
- Receiving a copyright claim from a content owner, who can choose to monetize, block, or track the video using Content ID.
- Breaking the YouTube Terms of Service or Community Guidelines may result in penalties, such as strikes, suspensions, or terminations.
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Can You Post Gameplay On YouTube Without Copyright?
The answer is not very simple, as it depends on the video game publisher’s policy and the fair use doctrine. Generally speaking, you can post gameplay on YouTube without infringing the copyright of the game developer or publisher, as long as:
- You have permission from the game publisher to use their game footage in your videos. Some publishers have explicit policies that allow or prohibit gameplay videos on YouTube, while others may not have any official statement. You should always check the game publisher’s website or contact them directly to find out their stance on gameplay videos.
- You add your own original commentary, criticism, or analysis to the gameplay footage, and do not simply upload the game’s cutscenes, music, or other copyrighted elements. This may qualify as fair use, which is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as education, parody, or news reporting.
- You follow YouTube’s Monetization Policy, which includes the YouTube Partner Program requirements, the advertiser-friendly content guidelines, the Content ID system, and the YouTube Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
However, even if you follow these guidelines, there is no guarantee that your gameplay videos will not be claimed, blocked, or removed by YouTube or the game publisher, as they have the final say on how their content is used on YouTube.
Therefore, you should always be prepared to deal with any potential disputes or appeals that may arise from trying to Monetize Gameplay Videos Without Commentary on YouTube.
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How to Get Full YouTube Monetization For Your Gaming Videos
Getting full YouTube monetization for your gaming videos can be challenging, as you need to follow the advertiser-friendly content guidelines and avoid violating the community guidelines. To get full YouTube monetization for your gaming videos, you should try to:
- Keep your titles and thumbnails as ‘clean’ as possible. Avoid using partially censored profanity, adult references, or sexual themes in these visual elements, as they may result in fewer ads or limited monetization. Use fully censored or abbreviated profanity, such as “WTF” or “What the ****”, instead.
- Don’t emphasize graphic violence or gore in a game. YouTube understands that some games have violence, and you can get full monetization for those. However, if you zoom in on bloody injuries or fatalities, or create gory compilations, YouTube will limit or turn off ads for your videos. Try to censor or minimize those graphic scenes.
- Limit the use of sexually suggestive gaming content. Romance is a common theme in some games, and you can get full monetization for regular romantic scenes, such as an affectionate kiss. However, if you show explicit sexual content, such as nudity, intercourse, or sexual fetishes, YouTube will limit or turn off ads for your videos. Try to avoid or blur those sexual scenes.
- Keep strong profanity out of gaming commentary. YouTube allows moderate profanity, such as “bitch” or “shit”, in your gaming commentary, as long as it is not used frequently or in the first 7 seconds of your video. However, if you use stronger profanity, such as the f-word, in your commentary, YouTube will limit ads for your video. Try to use less or no profanity in your commentary.
You should also analyze your metrics and improve your strategy based on the feedback and trends. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting full YouTube monetization for your gaming videos.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, while YouTube’s policy emphasizes the importance of educational or informative commentary for monetization, it is still possible to Monetize Gameplay Videos Without Commentary on YouTube.
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