YouTube Tweaks Ad Strategy To Curb Content Stealing

Alphabet Inc's YouTube said on Thursday it would place ads on videos only if they reach 10,000 views as it tries to weed out channels that make money by stealing content from other sources. The video streaming service also said once a video channel crosses the threshold, it would review the content to see if it qualifies for the placement of ads. "By keeping the threshold to 10k views, we also ensure that there will be minimal impact on our aspiring creators," Ariel Bardin, YouTube's vice president of product management, said in a blog post.

YouTube also said it would add a review process for new creators who apply to be in the YouTube Partner Program in a few weeks.

The YouTube Partner Program lets creators monetize content on YouTube in many ways, including advertisements, paid subscriptions and merchandise.

Any revenue earned on channels with under 10,000 views up until Thursday will not be impacted, YouTube said.

Google has come under intense scrutiny for ads appearing alongside videos on YouTube carrying homophobic or anti-Semitic messages recently, forcing a number of companies to suspend their digital ads on the video streaming service.

The company vowed an overhaul of its practices last month, saying it has started an extensive review of its advertising policies.

(Reporting by Laharee Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)