YouTube has launched a new tool to help uploaders find competitor accounts who are copying and re-upping their content.

First up

The YouTube Creator Blog claims the tool automatically catches uploads that are ‘the same or very similar’ to one that have already been upped. Then, they’ll send a message to see what the original uploader wants to do about it.

You must be first to upload your own content: The tool uses time-of-upload as the sole decider of who is notified about subsequent re-uploads.

Once notified, copyright holder can request a takedown, contact the re-upper, or do nothing.

Limitations and similarities

It seems that some, but not all YouTubers can use the new tool. Presently eligible accounts will now see a Copyright section in the left nav panel of YouTube Studio.

It presently only catches full-length re-ups. If another channel reproduces clips or edited selections, they’ll sneak through. In those cases, request removal of the offending video/s via the copyright webform.

Google admits the similarity to the pre-existent service called Content ID, which they say uses ‘similar matching technology’. The difference? At the moment, it just seems to be who can access it and the automation of possible responses.

Will this new tool help protect your content, save you time, or otherwise impact your YouTube strategy?

Copy Transmission is a Melbourne-based agency :: Better Brands. Loud & Clear.