YouTube Monetization disabled - How my YouTube Monetization got re-enabled!

Like many small time YouTube creators, I also got an email in January 2018 about changes to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)  regarding changes new threshold of 4,000 hours of watchtime within the past 12 months and 1,000 subscribers. The revenue wasn't much but it was good to get some revenue from the little effort made in creating some videos. Unfortunately, my channel did not meet the subscriber threshold though watch time was alright. So, as per the new rules, monetization was set to be disabled.

In my case:

• Monetization was disabled because of the new rules.

• When the threshold were satisfied, I applied for monetization but according to YouTube, my channel did not meet YouTube Program policies and guidelines

• Reviewed content and reapplied

• Approved

For some of you, your channel may already have met the thresholds but monetization may have been disabled because your channel did not meet the YouTube Program policies and guidelines. So, you might be wondering like anyone else - "How to get YouTube Monetization re-enabled?"

Here is my case and how YouTube Monetization was re-enabled:

Jan 17, 2018: The first email received from YouTube regarding the changes and new requirements

Today we are announcing changes to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). While our goal remains to keep the YPP open to as many channels as possible, we recognize we need more safeguards in place to protect creator revenue across the YouTube ecosystem.

Under the new eligibility requirements announced today, your YouTube channel, Tiyi Woro, is no longer eligible for monetization because it doesn’t meet the new threshold of 4,000 hours of watchtime within the past 12 months and 1,000 subscribers. As a result, your channel will lose access to all monetization tools and features associated with the YouTube Partner Program on February 20, 2018 unless you surpass this threshold in the next 30 days. Accordingly, this email serves as 30 days notice that your YouTube Partner Program terms are terminated. 

Feb 21, 2018: The confirmation - and monetization deactivated

As of today, your channel, XXXXXXX will no longer have access to monetization tools associated with YPP because it doesn’t meet the new threshold of 4,000 hours of watch time within the past 12 months and 1,000 subscribers. If you meet the new threshold at some point in the future, you'll be automatically re-evaluated for YPP. The reviews typically take 1-2 weeks.

Somewhere in October 2018, my channel also crossed the subscriber threshold. And I reapplied. Unfortunately, it was not approved. 

The email received from YouTube stated - "we found that your application does not meet our YouTube Partner Program policies so we cannot approve your channel for monetization at this time." ...."If you adjust the content on your channel, please consider reapplying. You can reapply to the YouTube Partner Program in 30 days." ..."In 30 days you’ll see the option to reapply on the monetization page. "

After this - 

• I carefully read the Partner Program policies and Community Guidelines. 
• I reviewed and deleted some of the videos on my channel which I felt were not in line with the YouTube Program polices and guidelines. 
• The video content on my channel was mostly related to travel videos, coverage of some live cultural events, concerts, and some videos were informational / educational videos with bits of videos taken from other videos.
• Videos created using videos from other sources were the primary cause of the problem I felt. I had to use them to meet the agenda. Though I really wanted to keep them, I deleted those as well. 
• I also researched some videos on YouTube, and found that there are also several videos on other YouTube channels where some or part of the videos are sourced from other videos including commercial videos; but still their monetization is active.
  
  In some cases, they had "no copyright infringement intended" mentioned in the description, but research showed that it may not be helping. Also, though YouTube has a page dedicated for "Fair Use" from the content itself, it is a very grey area - better not take risk.
  
  There is a para which says - "YouTube is only able to offer Fair Use Protection to a small number of individual videos each year that we choose based on a variety of factors. We try to select videos that are most illustrative of fair use. If your video is chosen for this effort, we’ll get in touch with you. Please don’t contact us asking to protect your video; we’ll find you if we’re able to offer you this protection."
  
  
  
• So, I decided to keep only original content. And, reapplied for monetization.

Mar 8, 2019: Monetization approved!

Finally, after carefully each video and removing videos which were not purely original, I reapplied for monetization again. 

And on March 8, 2019, I got an email from YouTube notifying the remonetization.

Congratulations - your YouTube channel, XXXXXX, has been accepted into the YouTube Partner Program and is now able to monetize on YouTube! 

Lessons learned: 

• If your YouTube channel is also blocked for monetization, review your videos first - especially those which have other non-original videos in them.

• Review if your videos if they have copyright audio tracks / background music. If they do, taken down the video and re-edit to use Free YouTube Audio. They are the safest audio tracks for your YouTube videos. See more here: Free Music Tracks For YouTube Videos From YouTube Audio Library For Offline Video Editing

• "Fair Use" is a grey area - stay away as far as possible.

• "No copyright infringement intended" in YouTube video description does not help.

• You may be surprised that there are several other YouTube Channels using videos under fair usage and other riders. Don't copy them. 

• Bottom line - use original content as far as possible - this is the safest bet to staying monetized.

Techubber YouTube Channel - support the channel!

Tiyi Woro YouTube Channel - visit and subscribe (support) to this humble channel if you like.