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Never Do These 7 Actions on YouTube — Avoid a Ban

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23 Nov 20254 min read
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Are you accidentally putting your channel at risk?

Do you ever worry your channel could be taken down? Small mistakes can make big problems. If you want to avoid ban and keep your work safe, learn the common traps. This short guide points out the main risks and simple fixes. Keep reading and take action now to protect your channel.

Why small creators are more likely to make these mistakes

Many small creators try fast tricks to grow. They may copy others, spam comments, or use too many tools. These moves can look like bot behavior. Platforms may flag the account and mark it as YouTube banned. Also, new channels often share one email or connect many apps. That weakens channel security. Scammers use fake emails to trick creators. This is called phishing. Simple steps stop most trouble.

What you'll learn: the 7 actions that can get you banned

Below are the seven risky actions to watch for. Each item is short and clear. Fix these and you greatly cut your risk of suspension. For privacy help, consider a data-removal service like Incogn to clear personal data and protect your contact info. Act now to protect your channel.

  • Comment spam — avoid repeating the same message in many comments (don’t be a bot).
  • Hashtag limits — don’t add excessive hashtags; follow the hashtag limits rule.
  • Copyright — don’t reuse others’ clips or scripts without clear permission.
  • Thumbnail images — get rights for any web images you use.
  • Channel security — use separate public and private emails and remove unused apps.
  • Phishing — don’t click strange links in emails; verify any brand contact.
  • Tag stuffing — don’t cram extra tags into descriptions; use tags properly.

Don’t join sub-for-sub threads or spam comments

Do you think typing “subscribed” under lots of videos helps your channel? It can feel like a quick win. But for many small creators, this leads to trouble. Repeating the same short comment over and over looks like comment spam. That can make the system treat your account as a bot and cause a YouTube banned action. To avoid ban, be careful.

Why repeated identical comments trigger bot detection

The site watches for patterns. Many identical short messages in a short time look automatic. The system then blocks or removes the account. This is to protect creators and viewers from fake activity. So even if your goal is honest, the system may still punish you.

How one creator lost a channel by spamming 'subscribed'

"She kept commenting 'subscribed' on many videos. YouTube flagged her as a bot. Her whole channel was removed. It took weeks to get it back."

Safer ways to grow: add value or avoid the thread

  • Leave unique, helpful comments that add value.
  • Try one thoughtful message instead of many quick replies.
  • Use your channel and content to attract real fans.
  • If a thread feels spammy, just stay away.

Hashtag limits and tag stuffing — keep it clean

Have you ever wondered if adding lots of hashtags will make your videos grow faster? Many small creators think more is better. But that can lead to trouble.

YouTube’s rules: overtagging can remove videos or hide them

YouTube warns creators about overtagging. If a video or playlist has too many hashtags, the platform may ignore them or hide the video. In some cases, videos can even be removed. For small creators who want to avoid a YouTube banned situation, this rule matters a lot. Keep tags clear and honest. Don’t try to trick the system with dozens of tags.

['"Overtagging may result in the removal of your video from uploads or from searches."']

Use 3–6 targeted hashtags — not dozens

Pick a few hashtags that match your video. Aim for 3–6 targeted hashtags. These help people who search for your topic. Too many tags look like spam. They can make the algorithm treat your channel like a bot. That can make the channel get hidden or even cause a ban. Small creators should focus on being clear, not on stuffing tags.

Choose tags that name the topic, the niche, and one strong keyword. For example: #baking, #easycookies, #kidsrecipes. Keep each tag short and useful. Avoid tags that are not related to the video.

| What you do | Why it helps | Risk if you don't | | --- | --- | --- | | Use 3–6 specific hashtags | Algorithm sees relevance | Lower chance of being hidden | | Match tags to video topic | Better search matches | Viewers find right videos | | Avoid unrelated or too many tags | Keeps account clean | Could lead to removal or shadowban |

  • Tip: Put hashtags near the top of the description so they show up clearly.
  • Tip: Don’t repeat the same hashtag many times.
  • Tip: Use hashtags that real viewers would search for.

Why stuffing tags into descriptions is dangerous

Some creators try to add many tags inside the description box. They think it helps the video rank. But YouTube says this is bad practice. Tag stuffing in descriptions can look like an attempt to cheat the system. YouTube may remove the video or lower its reach. In worse cases, repeated violations can hurt the whole channel.

Also, mixing tag stuffing with other risky moves raises danger. For example, pairing tag stuffing with comment spam or using images without permission can trigger account actions. If you want to avoid ban, keep every part of your upload honest and tidy.

Here are simple rules to follow:

  • Use the tags field for keywords, not the description.
  • Do not add dozens of hashtags or repeat keywords many times.
  • Make thumbnails and text original to avoid copyright strikes.

Remember that channel safety is more than tags. Protect your account from phishing and hacks. Don’t click unknown links. Keep a separate public email for contact. Limit third-party apps that can access your account. These steps help you avoid losing everything to a hack or a strike.

If you want to act now, go use a trusted tag-checker or a video SEO tool to scan your tags before upload. This helps you stay inside the rules and grow safely.

In short, clean tagging keeps your channel safe. Use a few clear hashtags. Put keywords in the right place. Avoid stuffing and spam. That way, your content has a better chance to be seen — and your channel stays protected from risks like YouTube banned, copyright strikes, or shadowbans.

Never use other people’s content or images without permission

Want to grow a channel but wonder if you can copy a viral video? This is a big risk. Using someone else’s work can get your channel flagged or even YouTube banned. Be careful and learn the safe way to use ideas.

Viral replication: how to use inspiration legally

It is OK to study popular videos. But don’t copy them. Use the idea. Make it yours. Change the script. Add new facts. Show your own view. This lowers the chance of copyright claims. It also helps you stand out.

Don't copy transcripts — make content your own

Copying a transcript is risky. It looks like theft. You can get strikes and lose your channel. Always write your own words. Add your voice and your examples. That way you can avoid ban and build trust.

How thumbnail image copyright claims can remove your channel

Thumbnails matter. Using an image from Google without permission can cause a formal complaint. Owners can ask YouTube to remove the content. That can lead to big trouble. Use your own photos, paid stock, or ask permission first.

| Source | Example | Risk | | --- | --- | --- | | Your own image | Photo you took | Safe | | Stock image (licensed) | Paid site image | Safe if licensed | | Random web image | Google image | High risk - copyright claim |

"YouTube will ban you for it."

Protect your account: separate emails, limit apps, avoid phishing

Worried your YouTube channel could be lost or get banned? Small creators are often targets. A few small mistakes can lead to a hacked account or a complete ban. This short guide shows three simple steps to make your channel safer and help you avoid ban risks.

Use a separate public contact email to protect your main account

Do not show the email you use to log in. Instead, make a new Gmail for public contact. Put that email in your channel About page. This keeps your main login private. If someone finds the public email, they can try to break in. A separate email means extra safety. Create a public Gmail now and update your channel info.

Remove unused third‑party apps from your Google account

Every app you connect is a small door to your account. Too many apps raise the risk of theft or data leaks. Go to your Google account security page, check apps with access, and remove anything you do not need. Keep only trusted tools. This reduces the chance someone else can change your channel or delete videos.

How to spot dodgy collaboration emails and avoid malicious links

Scammers send fake brand deals and pretend to be real. They want you to click links or log in on a fake page. One wrong click can give them your password. Be careful and slow down.

  • Check the sender address. If it looks odd, do not click.
  • Look for bad grammar or strange formatting.
  • Never click links unless you can verify the sender.
  • If in doubt, search the brand online or ask other creators.
  • Too-good offers (big money for little work) are usually scams.

“Never click on links and emails unless you're absolutely sure it's from a trusted source.”

Follow these steps to lower the chance your channel gets hacked or hit by YouTube rules. Small actions now can help you avoid ban later. Ready to protect your channel? Make a public contact email and clean your app list today.

3 quick steps to secure your channel today — try Incogn

Worried your channel could be removed overnight? You can take a few fast actions to avoid ban and protect against hacks. Follow three simple moves now and use a monthly service like Incogn to keep your data off shady lists. Go sign up.

Immediate fixes: stop spamming, remove excess tags, secure emails

First, stop comment spam. Repeating “subscribed” in many comments looks like a bot and can lead to a YouTube banned result. Use only 3–6 hashtags to meet hashtag limits. Never paste lots of keywords into descriptions — that is tag stuffing. Finally, put a separate public email in your channel info, not the one tied to your account.

Monthly protection: use a service like Incogn to remove your data (Go sign up)

Incogn contacts data brokers and asks them to delete your info every month. That reduces the risk of phishing and stolen contact details. Monthly removals mean fewer stray phone numbers, emails, and locations floating online. This helps small creators stay safer from scams and hacks.

Final checklist before you upload a new video

  • No spammy comment threads or repeating replies
  • Use 3–6 targeted hashtags only
  • Keep tags in the tags box — don’t stuff the description
  • Use a public contact email separate from your login
  • Remove unneeded third‑party apps from Google account
  • Avoid clicking unknown links in emails
  1. Step 1: Fix comments, hashtags, and description tags now.
  2. Step 2: Clean third‑party app access and set a public email.
  3. Step 3: Sign up for a monthly removal service like Incogn.
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