Starting a YouTube channel is a big leap. Small creators often spend countless hours producing videos, growing communities, and learning the platform. However, some innocent-looking actions can get your entire YouTube channel banned or shadowbanned — erasing all your efforts in seconds.
In this article, we will walk you through seven common but dangerous mistakes that small creators often make. These are crucial to understand if you’re serious about building a long-lasting, successful channel on YouTube.
1. Sub-for-Sub and Spam Comments Can Get You Banned
You may have seen creators in comment sections asking for subscribers or offering sub-for-sub. While this might seem harmless or like a growth hack, it’s against YouTube’s community guidelines.
Many small creators don’t realize that repetitively commenting the same message like “subscribed!” on different videos can trigger YouTube’s spam detection system. This behavior makes your account appear automated or bot-like.
Case in Point: A small creator had her channel terminated simply for copy-pasting “subscribed” too many times. YouTube saw it as spamming and flagged her as a bot.
What You Should Do:
- Don’t copy-paste identical comments.
- Avoid “sub for sub” tactics entirely.
- If you want to engage, be genuine and relevant in the conversation.
2. Using Too Many Hashtags Can Backfire
Hashtags are meant to help categorize your content. But if you add more than 60 hashtags, YouTube ignores all of them. Worse, over-tagging may lead to your content being removed from search results or even from your channel.
Best Practices:
- Use 3 to 6 targeted hashtags.
- Make sure they’re directly related to your video niche.
- Avoid irrelevant or trending hashtags that don’t connect with your content.
3. Copying Content Without Permission Is Dangerous
Many creators use a strategy called “viral replication” — analyzing viral videos and using them for inspiration. While this can be effective, directly copying videos, scripts, or even thumbnails without major changes or permission can result in copyright strikes or full channel removal.
Also, using copyrighted images in thumbnails from random websites or Google Images can land you in legal trouble.
Tips:
- Always create original content.
- Use copyright-free or licensed images for thumbnails.
- Consider using royalty-free sites like Pixabay or Unsplash.
4. Avoid Using Your Personal Email in the Public Channel Info
When adding an email address to your YouTube “About” section, never use the same email tied to your YouTube login. If it gets exposed, it opens doors for hacking or phishing.
What To Do Instead:
- Create a separate email for public communication (for fans, brand deals, etc.).
- Keep your main Google account email private.
5. Protect Your Personal Data with Incogn
Every time you upload a video or interact online, you’re leaving a digital footprint. Many shady companies, called data brokers, scrape this information — including your name, email, location, and more — and sell it.
One solution is Incogn, a privacy tool that scrubs your personal data from these data brokers.
Why Use Incogn:
- Deletes your personal info from shady databases.
- Continuously monitors and removes new data monthly.
- Works like a digital bodyguard for your privacy.
✅ Highly recommended for creators who value online safety.
6. Be Careful With Third-Party App Connections
It’s tempting to try every new AI or analytics tool out there, but connecting your Google account to too many apps increases your vulnerability.
Here’s How To Check:
- Visit Google Account Security Settings.
- Scroll down to “Third-party apps with account access”.
- Remove anything non-essential or suspicious.
Only use apps from trusted developers and always read reviews before connecting them to your account.
7. Don’t Click on Suspicious Email Links
As you grow, you’ll start receiving brand emails for partnerships. But beware: many are phishing scams. These fake emails may use YouTube logos, professional signatures, and ask you to click a “media kit” or “product link” — which can be malware or phishing pages.
How to Stay Safe:
- Always verify the sender’s email domain.
- Look for bad grammar, strange formatting, or odd requests.
- Don’t download anything unless you’re absolutely sure.
- Google the brand name or ask fellow creators about them.
Bonus Tip: Avoid Tag Stuffing in Video Descriptions
Yes, tags are important, and YouTube provides a field for them during upload. But adding excessive keywords or tags directly into your video description violates YouTube’s policies.
YouTube’s Official Warning:
“Placing excessive tags in the video description (‘tag stuffing’) rather than placing them as tags upon upload is not allowed.”
What to Do:
- Add tags only in the designated tag field.
- Use your description space for natural, keyword-optimized summaries, not a block of unrelated tags.
Q&A Section
Q: Is sub-for-sub illegal on YouTube?
A: Yes, YouTube considers it spam behavior. Engaging in it can lead to your account being flagged or banned.
Q: How many hashtags should I use on my YouTube videos?
A: Ideally 3–6 relevant hashtags. Never exceed 60.
Q: Can I use Google Images for thumbnails?
A: No, unless you have permission. Use royalty-free sites or create custom thumbnails.
Q: What is Incogn and is it safe?
A: Incogn is a privacy tool that removes your personal data from shady databases. It’s considered safe and effective for creators.
Q: How do I know if a brand email is legit?
A: Verify the email sender, look for red flags, and do a Google search. If something feels off, don’t click.
Final Thoughts
Growing on YouTube is a journey, but your account’s safety and authenticity are key to long-term success. Avoiding these seven mistakes can save you from losing everything you’ve worked hard to build.
Want to protect your channel today?
- Use privacy tools like Incogn
- Audit your app connections.
- Clean up your comment and hashtag strategies.
Stay safe, stay creative, and grow smart!
Tags:
YouTube channel tips, small creators guide, YouTube mistakes, account security, content copyright, Incogn privacy, YouTube growth tips, viral video mistakes
Hashtags:
#YouTubeTips #SmallCreators #ChannelSafety #YouTubeGrowth #CopyrightTips #OnlinePrivacy #Incogn #TagStuffing #HashtagAbuse #AvoidSpam
