It can be frustrating when you spend time and energy crafting a YouTube video or Short only for someone to come along and take it as their own. However, YouTube has not only set up a submission request system to have your videos taken off of other channels, but most of the time, it will find the copyright matches for you.
Below is a guide for how to submit and retract a removal request on YouTube.
When Would You Need to Submit a Removal Request on YouTube?
There are many reasons you would need to submit a removal request on YouTube. For example, if you come across a video that presents hate speech, or you find a channel that is impersonating you or someone you know.
One of the most annoying and common reasons, though, is due to copyright infringement. Copyright infringement means that someone has downloaded your video, uploaded it to their channel, and passed the video off as their original content. It's important for creators to know YouTube's copyright rules.
Luckily, YouTube monitors the platform for copyright infringement and will list any matches for you to do with as you please. If you need to check if a video is copyrighted for yourself, there are ways to do that too.
How to Find Copyright Infringement Matches on YouTube
To find any copyright infringement matches, you have to use YouTube’s browser. The YouTube Studio app does not let you submit removal requests—however, you can sign in to YouTube through a web browser app and follow the same instructions.
Start on YouTube’s main page. Click on your profile picture then select YouTube Studio. On the left-hand side of the next page, select Copyright.
You’ll be able to see any videos that YouTube has marked as matching any of your content. You’ll be able to see the channel that uploaded the video, the date it was uploaded, how many views it’s gotten, and what the match percentage is. From here, it’s up to you whether you want to submit a removal request or not.
How to Submit a Removal Request on YouTube
If you need to submit a removal request and YouTube doesn’t have the matching video listed, select Removal Request in the toolbar under Channel Copyright, then select New Removal Request.
To submit a removal request for matching videos, checkmark the box next to the matching video—you can mark up to 50 videos at a time.
From here, you have the option of either archiving the matching video, requesting a removal, or contacting the channel yourself to resolve the issue. Select Request Removal to start the removal request process.
On the next page, add the infringing video’s information that you want to remove as well as your video’s information that was copied. However, if YouTube made the match for you, you’ll see the videos' information has already been added.
In the section below, you’ll need to insert your information. Make sure to read each info card that pops up to understand what the information you're inputting is meant for.
The next section is where you will decide if you want to schedule the removal or have the request sent in straight away. Scheduling the removal allows the uploader time to remove the video themselves and avoid a copyright strike on their channel. Sending in the immediate request may result in a copyright strike. Ultimately, it’s up to you what option you want to move forward with.
There is also a section you can checkmark that will give YouTube permission to try and prevent that specific video from being stolen again. After that section, you will just need to read and agree to the legal agreements and sign your name. Then click Submit at the top right-hand corner.
How to Retract a Removal Request on YouTube
To retract a removal request, go to YouTube Studio and click on Copyright in the left-hand toolbar. Then select Removal Requests. Select the video you want to retract.
You’ll see one of two options. If the removal request has been approved by YouTube, you can click on the Retract Removal button. However, if the request is still being processed, you’ll see a Retract Request option instead. It will prompt you to send an email asking to retract the removal request.
Did Someone Steal Your Video on YouTube? Submit a Removal Request
Ultimately, YouTube wants to protect creators who put in time and hard work to produce original content. If you find that someone is stealing your content or YouTube has found matches of your videos, don’t hesitate to turn in a removal request.