YouTube knows it has a spam problem on its platform, especially when it comes to its short Shorts video feature. Fortunately, Google will implement a drastic measure to combat this: disable a feature.
YouTube Shorts, the video platform’s answer to TikTok, has been rather popular with users since its launch. In particular, it exceeded the 2 billion monthly visitor mark a few weeks ago, twice as many as TikTok. However, this one is prone to link spamming, and the problem is big enough that the platform has decided to make the links in the Shorts unclickable soon, be it links in the comments or even in the description of the video itself.
Indeed, in recent months there has been an upsurge in spam, unwanted content and messages redirecting to scams on the platform. Fortunately, Google is well aware of what is happening and is now taking steps to mitigate this phenomenon.
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Google will ban links in short videos
Google announced that after August 31, it will no longer be possible to click on shared links in YouTube Shorts comments, descriptions and live vertical feed. ” With abuse tactics changing rapidly, we need to take preventive measures to prevent scammers and spammers from misleading users or defrauding them through links “says YouTube.
In the meantime, from August 23, a new section of the YouTube app will be open to creators where they can place clickable links. Google also promises that by the end of September, creators will be able to safely add links to other YouTube content.
From now on, YouTube will therefore rather oblige the channels to publish the links in a dedicated space. Not everyone might like this change though, since the links will now be accessible from the channel page and not on individual videos. Smaller YouTube creators could be the first to feel the effects of this change, especially if their channels are backed by external sponsors.