How to deal with YouTube's new gun policies

How to Deal with YouTube's New Gun Policies

I'm wearing my YouTube cap today because we're still backing YouTube at the Field Sports Channel. On the 18th of June, YouTube brought out new policies about guns which you may have seen other people discussing.

These policies primarily aim to prevent backyard bomb makers and homemade gun creators, targeting the broader issue of American gun culture. One of the notable components of these policies is the restriction on linking to retailers or distributors that sell guns. Depending on the interpretation, this could mean direct links to sell guns are disallowed.

However, there are ways to navigate these new guidelines. One potential workaround is to link to the Google page for a particular website or simply instruct viewers to Google the site instead of providing a direct link. This might be an area worth experimenting with over the next little while.

I'm set to have a meeting with YouTube next Wednesday. My expectation is that they'll clarify these rules won't apply to countries outside the U.S., such as the U.K., where there are already stringent restrictions on automatic and semi-automatic guns.

Additionally, with the upcoming Olympics, the importance of shooting sports cannot be overlooked. With athletes vying for gold medals in shooting events, it would be counterproductive to be overly restrictive about this content.

In conclusion, I believe we'll be okay and that these policies will be navigated successfully, especially in non-U.S. markets.

Keywords

• YouTube
• Gun Policies
• Field Sports Channel
• Backyard Bomb Makers
• Gun Retailers
• Links to Retailers
• Google Page Link
• UK Gun Restrictions
• Olympics
• Shooting Sports

FAQ

Q: What are YouTube's new gun policies about? A: The new policies aim to curb activities like backyard bomb making and homemade gun creation, addressing broader issues around American gun culture.

Q: Can I still link to gun retailers on YouTube? A: Directly linking to gun retailers is restricted, but you can work around this by linking to a Google page about the site or suggesting viewers Google the retailer themselves.

Q: Will these YouTube policies be enforced globally? A: The expectation is that these rules will not apply to countries outside the U.S., such as the U.K., which already have stringent gun regulations.

Q: How will these policies affect content related to the Olympics? A: Given the significance of shooting sports in the Olympics and the anticipation of gold medals, it is believed that such content related to legitimate sports will be treated favorably under these new policies.

Q: What should I do if I’m unsure about linking in my YouTube videos? A: Experiment with indirect linking methods or consult with YouTube to gain a better understanding of how best to comply with the new guidelines.