Is your YouTube live stream not working due to YouTube restrictions? Would you like to avoid similar situations in the future? In this case, you should check our detailed guide on avoiding copyright issues on YouTube.

Why Do YouTube Live Streams Get Interrupted?

Live streams on YouTube are often interrupted not because of a poor internet connection but because of content-related violations, including:

  • Copyright infringement, where you use copyrighted content, such as music, videos, or images, without permission from the original creator;
  • Violation of community guidelines, such as using prohibited material such as violence, racism, pornography, etc.;
  • User complaints about inappropriate or offensive content;
  • Restrictions due to geographic locations where the content you are streaming is prohibited (thus, your stream will be blocked in those areas or interrupted).

Ultimately, if you regularly receive strikes for copyright or community guidelines infringement, you may face future restrictions on YouTube live streaming.

How to Avoid Restrictions on YouTube Live Streaming

Now, let's figure out how to avoid restrictions on YouTube while streaming.

Community guidelines restrictions

YouTube has several strict requirements for the content that bloggers publish – this is necessary to create a friendly and safe atmosphere for users worldwide. In particular, prohibited content includes:

  • Violence, cruelty, threats, shocking scenes;
  • Hate speech based on race, gender, religion, etc.;
  • Pornographic or erotic content;
  • Propaganda of dangerous actions;
  • Misinformation on health, politics, or safety;
  • Spam, scam, and fraud;
  • Content that has received complaints from viewers (and these complaints were approved by the platform's moderators).

If you have doubts about the legitimacy of your content on YouTube, you can also read the official guidelines.

Copyright restrictions

YouTube protects the rights of copyright holders and tracks the content other bloggers use with the Content ID system, which analyzes the data stream in real-time. This content can be music, videos, images, films, and other media and text materials belonging to third parties that you integrate into your stream without a license or permission from the owner.

In this case, you can lose live stream monetization, or your stream can be blocked. Moreover, you can get a ban on streaming in the future – the only exception is materials that are used on the principle of fair use.

“Made for kids” restrictions

YouTube also has specific requirements for content that is labeled as "made for kids" to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), including:

  • Disabling comments, chat, notifications, and personalized advertising;
  • Excluding content that contains violence, sexual context, profanity, or advertising that is inappropriate for children;
  • Ensure that the "made for kids" label does not correspond to the true nature of the content, or vice versa – that there is no label.

Key Takeaways

Ultimately, to avoid being subject to strikes and to keep your public or private live stream on YouTube uninterrupted, you need to:

  • Follow YouTube's official guidelines for your content;
  • Do not violate copyright restrictions on YouTube;
  • Do not mislabel your streams, mainly “made for kids.”

FAQ

Is it allowed to use copyrighted music in a YouTube live stream?

Using copyrighted music without permission violates YouTube's terms unless you have the right to use or use tracks from the YouTube Audio Library.

What happens if I use copyrighted content without permission in my live stream?

You can get a YouTube live stream limit in general or specific regions. Also, your monetization can be handed over to the copyright owner, or YouTube can give you a strike, resulting in your channel being blocked after receiving three of them.

Can I monetize my YouTube live stream if it includes copyrighted content?    

No, monetization is not possible – in this case, your income will be redirected to the copyright owner if they make a request.

How do I check if the content I want to use in my live stream is copyrighted?

To do this, you should use YouTube Content ID. Just upload your video privately and check it for copyright.    

Is using content from other YouTube videos in my live stream okay?

Yes, but only if you have the permission of the video owner or if you can prove that you are using it in a fair use manner.

How does the fair use doctrine apply to copyrighted content in YouTube live streams?

Fair use applies to video reviews, parodies, and critical and educational videos. You must also prove that your content is original and that you are not passing it off as your own. Ultimately, the ability to use copyrighted material is granted either by the court or by its owner.

How can I legally license copyrighted content for my live stream?

To do this, you must contact the copyright owner directly or use licensed platforms as intermediaries between copyright holders and content creators who want to use their work.

What steps should I take if I receive a copyright strike during my YouTube live stream?

To do this, you need to analyze the YouTube notice to understand the real reason for the violation. If you are sure your actions fall under fair use or have a license, you can appeal through YouTube Studio. Otherwise, you will need to remove the prohibited content or replace it with a permitted one, preventing similar situations from happening in the future.