What Changes Are Coming To Youtube In 2020?

 Running a YouTube channel is not just creating and uploading videos anymore. With that, every YouTuber needs to be aware of the changes in rules and algorithms that the platform brings about. Irrespective of your content genre, you as a creator should have a brief knowledge about the advancements and alterations that are being made. Even for brands and companies that deliver content on Youtube, these changes should be understood. In this write-up, we shall discuss the changes coming to YouTube in 2020 and the importance of being updated regarding the modifications. 

Why should you be aware of the changes?

It is no surprise that there are too many players in the YouTube game, and the competition is super tight. So, to make your channel stand out, you as a creator should be updated with all the changes and regulations being formed. By doing so, you will develop a better understanding of what content you should produce and how you should market it such that the algorithm starts supporting you, which in turn helps grow your audience. Besides, it will also allow you to predict changes in the future, which will enable you to gain more excellent knowledge about the platform in its entirety. 

What are the changes brought about in the year 2020?

• COPPA 

This is, by far, one of the most significant changes that YouTube has introduced this year that may affect your channel too. COPPA stands for Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. This change affects explicitly the content creators whose target audience is children. YouTube labels your uploaded videos as “made for children,” and along with that, it will disable numerous features such as “watch later,” “save to playlist,” etc. The ads played during the video would also get altered as per minor audience. To enforce this regulation strictly, YouTube uses an Artificial Intelligence based algorithm that analyses uploaded videos and cross checks whether they are labeled as per the rules or not. If your content is found to be mislabeled, then specific penalties may be imposed on your channel. 

 

• Live CTR

It is a less known and promising feature in Youtube analytics that has allowed creators to gain a more in-depth insight into their viewership. CTR stands for Click Through Rate, and it gives you useful data three hours after uploading your video. Having your video clicked by the audience is one of the most critical factors on YouTube as it allows you to get into the “suggest it” category. So, to increase your click-through rate, your thumbnail and title need to stand out. By regularly analyzing your click-through rate, you can get precise feedback about whether your video is underperforming or doing extraordinarily. Noticing that your click-through rate is falling, you’d know that you need to improve your thumbnail and title until you see positive changes. And when the click-through rate is rising, promote that video as much as you can. Using this new tool can prove to be a game-changer in your content strategy. 

 

• Fake engagement policy

YouTube is getting smarter with its policies, and you should be aware of it to avoid penalties and violations. This policy restricts creators to push their subscriber count through tactics like sub-for-sub, giveaway, etc. These were some of the most common and old school ways of growing your audience, but not anymore. Youtube demands its creators to aim at actual authentic engagement, and not smartly tricked one. Youtubers are allowed to encourage subscribers to like, comment, and share their channel, but not for others. By using AI, Youtube identifies fake engagement and imposes a warning under violation of community guidelines. After three warnings, a strict penalty will be enforced. Knowing this policy is vital so that you alter your marketing and promotional strategies as per new guidelines.  

These were the top three changes that YouTube has introduced in 2020. As a creator, when you understand the advancements, you are better positioned to manage your content and promote it without violating any guidelines. You can also use some of the following tools introduced this year to develop your content strategy:

• YouTube stories

• @mention

• Bedtime reminders

• Youtube membership

• Review inappropriate comments, etc.

In a nutshell, YouTube strives hard to stand out amongst all other platforms by reconsidering its guidelines and making content marketing advancements. All you need to do is be aware of these upgrades and use new features to their full potential such that the algorithm supports you and helps you grow as a creator.