YouTube is taking steps to address the growing problem of spam on its short-form video platform, YouTube Shorts.
According to TechCrunch, effective from August 31st, the platform will no longer allow clickable links in the comments section, descriptions, and vertical live feed of Shorts videos.
“This move aims to deter scammers and spammers from using links to deceive and defraud users.”
The decision comes in response to concerns that spammy links could direct users to harmful content such as malware, phishing scams, and fraudulent activities.
Despite YouTube’s existing spam detection and removal mechanisms, the company has chosen to disable these links altogether to enhance security.
It is noteworthy that the implementation of this policy will be gradual, with not all links being disabled by August 31st.
Furthermore, YouTube is also removing clickable social media icons from desktop channel banners due to their misuse of deceptive links.
However, YouTube recognizes that legitimate content creators occasionally require links, especially for monetization purposes through product recommendations and brand affiliations. To accommodate these creators, YouTube plans to introduce new methods for including links safely within their content.
“Starting August 23rd, both mobile and desktop users will notice “prominent” clickable links on creators’ channel profiles near the ‘Subscribe’ button. This space can be utilized by creators to link to websites, other social profiles, merchandise stores, and other content that adheres to YouTube’s Community Guidelines,” Youtube noted.
For creators who utilize links to direct viewers to their long-form videos, YouTube will continue to support this practice soon. By the end of September, a safer mechanism will be introduced, allowing creators to seamlessly guide viewers from Shorts to their other content on the platform.
These changes build upon YouTube’s ongoing efforts to combat spam across its platform. This includes enhancements to systems detecting impersonation channels, which have led to a 35% increase in impersonation-related removals and terminations from Q1 2022 to Q1 2023.