ASMR Channel Bans- Is YouTube Cracking Down on External Links to Adult Sites?

Anyone else hearing about the ASMR channel bans as of late on YouTube? Creators such as Rose ASMR, Slight Sounds ASMR, LunaRexx ASMR and others have all been terminated -

and from a creator who is concerned:

Theres quite a lot of discussion around it in the comments and on Reddit etc. Apparently the bans are YouTube enforcing their policy about external links to link pages like beacons.ai etc featuring "fans" sites such as OF and Fansly etc and their way of ensuring ASMR channels and possibly other genres are not funnelling people to their adult sites.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it a good thing or wrong of YouTube to ban without issuing warnings to correct?

I believe that YouTube should give warnings first to let creators remove these things as I am sure they would all comply and stop using the platform as a funnel once warned. It would give people a chance. On the other hand I see that creators are ignoring the policies about linking to these sites. What are your thoughts?

Do you think YouTube should warn creators before terminating their channels for this or is immediate enforcement justified when the policy has already been published in the community guidelines etc?

Quote from Symph

I don't know about the warning thing, maybe they should be warned first, but from a gut reaction standpoint, this behavior is just so unbelievably shameless and predatory I don't have much sympathy for them getting banned with no warning. If they posted actual porn to youtube I don't think we'd be arguing they should be given a warning and this isn't that far removed from doing that.

100%, it is quite sad seeing people use a niche that helps people with sleep and MH to grow an adult content fanbase. I hope that it has an effect on the niche where others take note and hopefully allow other creators who dont make "spicy videos" to shine some more as they will be getting a LOT of eyeballs.

Quote from Queen P

I think its a good thing as children using youtube and can click onto the adult pages from the channel page but maybe should give a warning first or remove the links on the channels doing it. I dont want my children finding these things so easily even by mistake if I let them use youtube on my phone. If its in the policy then it is fair but can be handled better

Yeah I think so too, I do believe parents should be keeping their kids off the platform for as long as possible but a 14 year old with a phone is harder to monitor for stuff like this. Even just seeing the links and clicking through they will be more aware of how to access these womens sexual content and many are inspired by these creators to make OF themselves.

Quote from Symph

It's so hard to do these days because of other kids and what their parents let them do. I know it's still possible but I've seen parents struggle with that, where they try to keep their kids internet free but then they go to school and their friends show them stuff and then the kid comes home and the begging starts and ugh... what an age to be alive....

Not just that, they start feeling left out and like their parents are horrible people shutting them out of experiences all their friends have. I really wish I didnt give my son access to a computer early in life. I wanted him to have the tech I never had as a kid with a good PC, gaming consoles and he loved being outside until he experienced bullying and then decided his best friends were all online as they didnt bully him etc If my son was out and someone with POV glasses posted him he would probably never go into town or wherever again. To some it may seem fragile but some people really are sensitive to these things especially with autism when going out can be a big thing.

Yeah life is full of challenges, people being mean etc they arent nice but those experience do build character. I got bullied as a kid and that obviously has shaped me into who I am now and I have to be thankful for it.

Quote from Symph

I mean I left youtube because of bullies (and stomach issues dovetailing with them) but because of that, I took the time to learn how to take care of myself, and to grow thicker skin. I've already gotten a couple of haters on tiktok and back in the day I'd have been thinking about it all day, now I just go "ugh, what a jerk" and move on lol

I got one early on with my new channel too, it can be really discouraging but I try to use it as motivation as in this person obviously has no self control. Im a lot more thicker skinned but still do let things affect me at times, I just dont erupt.

Quote from Symph

It's crazy how you can gain like 20 or even 50 subscribers who tell you they love your content, might even act like fans, tell you the content means something to them, and you'll feel good about it, then ONE DUMB JERK comes in and says "you are so cringe you suck I hate you" and THAT'S the comment you're dwelling on all day. I think one thing you said to me though has really helped me which is that you said a lot of channels take off WHEN they start getting lots of haters.
It hit me hard cause it was when I was getting all the haters back in the day that I was actually getting the most views, and the hate comments were giving me tons of engagement. If I could have ridden that wave and kept going who knows where I'd be now so I will NOT stop if I start getting tons of haters this time.

Your haters back then were probably jealous, you were doing quite well and many werent back then. I never understand hating on someones videos even if you dont like the person or enjoy them. To sit enraged at the screen etc is very reactive unless it really personally offends/affects you or others you care about etc. The only time I get annoyed is when someones trolling as I dont want to deal with it lol