After receiving feedback from users regarding YouTube’s three-strike system, the website has decided to update the policy and penalty system used to flag inappropriate content. Previously, YouTubers who violated the Community Guidelines were given three strikes, accompanied by varying and inconsistent penalties. With the update, all YouTuber’s who post unacceptable content will receive a one-time warning followed by a consistent set of penalties.

Strikes can be given if any content, including videos, stories, custom thumbnails, or links violate Community Guidelines, and will now result in the same penalty. Starting February 25th, YouTubers will receive a warning the first time they break the guidelines, and the content will be removed. After the first and only warning, the first strike comes, resulting in a one-week ban on uploading any new content. This first strike will expire within 90 days if no further rules are broken.

If a user continues to violate guidelines within 90 days of the first strike, a second strike is given, resulting in another two-week ban on uploading content. The third-strike in any 90-day period will result in channel termination. According to the website, 98 per cent of YouTubers have never broken a Community Guideline, and 94 per cent of users who have received a first-strike never receive a second.

Along with the updated strike system, YouTube is simplifying the Community Guidelines and making them more readily available to users. The video-sharing site will be expanding the policy resources available in its help center and will more clearly outline which rules need to be followed.

Finally, the website promises to make their warning and strike notifications more transparent and will provide a more detailed message as to what content violated which guidelines. YouTube will additionally be creating new mobile and in-product notifications, so users can quickly contact the site if they think a mistake has been made.

“These updates are part of our ongoing work to make sure that YouTube is the best place to listen, share, and create community through your stories. Our strikes system is an important way for us to help creators and artists understand when they’ve crossed the line by uploading content that undermines that goal, and your feedback has helped to make this system work better for the entire community. We’ll build on this and all the progress we’ve made over the last year by continuing to consult with you as we strengthen enforcement and update our policies. We want to make sure theyre easy to understand and address the needs of the global YouTube community,” YouTube said in a statement.