YouTube Starts Blocking Embedded Links in the Shorts Feature, Check the Banned List!

JAKARTA - As a step to reduce spam and scam efforts, YouTube will block access to links that users often link to videos in the Shorts feature.

"To reduce spam and scam attempts, links in YouTube Shorts comments and Shorts descriptions will not be clickable starting August 31, 2023, this change will be rolled out gradually," YouTube said in its official announcement, quoted Friday, August 11.

YouTube also plans to give content creators a new space in channel profiles to place prominent, clickable links to websites, social profiles, merchandise sites, and other links that comply with the platform's Community Guidelines.

"You can start setting up channel profile links on August 10, and your viewers will see them starting August 23," YouTube said.

Likewise, for links that direct users to content that violates the Community Guidelines, YouTube will begin blocking them on the platform.

"If you find content that violates this policy, please report it," explains YouTube.

The company describes some prohibited links, such as pornography, hate speech, harassment, acts of violence, installation of phishing malware, streaming services that usually require payment, websites that raise funds or recruit for terrorist organizations and sites that contain Child Sexual Abuse Imagery (CSAI).

In addition, links to sites that sell goods mentioned in the regulated goods guidelines, as well as links to content that spreads medical misinformation where it conflicts with local health authority (LHA) or World Health Organization (WHO) medical info on COVID-19, also banned on YouTube.

These links are not only prohibited on Shorts, but also video content, audio, channels, comments, embedded comments, live streams and other YouTube products or features.

"If your content violates this policy, we will remove the content and send you an email notification. When we are unable to verify that a link you posted is safe, we may remove the link," YouTube said.

Meanwhile, if it's the first time a user has violated YouTube's Community Guidelines, they'll likely only get a no-penalty warning to the channel.

"When you get 3 strikes within 90 days, your channel will be terminated. We may terminate your channel or account for repeated violations of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service," YouTube asserts.

"We may also terminate your channel or account after a single case of egregious abuse, or if the channel is dedicated to a policy violation."