Why Does YouTube Keep Flagging My Videos? Fair Use & Copyright Explained
Updated January 29, 2026If you create commentary, reaction, or review content, you may have experienced the frustration of repeated YouTube flags or copyright claims. These notices can disrupt monetization, visibility, and even channel standing. Understanding why flags occur — and how to reduce risk — is critical for creators who rely on video platforms for income and audience growth.
Why Do Review Videos Get Copyright Flags?
If you publish content on YouTube, chances are you have encountered the unwelcome notification that a video was flagged or claimed for copyright use by a rights holder who believes their material appeared without authorization. The consequences can include removal of the video, loss of monetization, a copyright strike, or other channel limitations.
This becomes particularly discouraging for creators who regularly produce reviews, commentary, criticism, or discussion videos — whether covering celebrity news, music releases, films, or cultural analysis. Many creators naturally wonder: How can I talk about public figures or media without triggering repeated copyright notices?
Are Review Videos Not Free Speech Protected Under Fair Use?
In the United States, Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act introduces the doctrine of Fair Use, which permits limited use of copyrighted material without prior permission under specific circumstances. However, fair use is not an automatic shield — it is a legal framework evaluated case by case. The statute provides that:
“The fair use of a copyrighted work … for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.”
Courts then weigh four primary factors:
Purpose and character of the use — including whether it is commercial or nonprofit and whether the use is transformative.
Nature of the copyrighted work — factual works often receive different treatment than highly creative works.
Amount and substantiality used — both the quantity and qualitative importance of what was taken.
Effect on the potential market — whether the use harms the original work’s value or substitutes for it.
The test appears simple in writing, yet in practice it is highly nuanced. You may not need permission if your content is genuinely critical, educational, or transformative, and you avoid excessive copying and significant market harm. Both halves of this analysis matter, which is why fair use disputes often become complex.
Where Creators Commonly Miss the Fair Use Mark
Many YouTubers successfully satisfy the first principle — commentary, parody, or critique — because freedom of expression generally allows discussion of public topics. Problems typically arise in the second stage, where the four-factor analysis applies.
The most frequent obstacle is the commercial nature of monetized content. When a video earns advertising or sponsorship income, a rights holder may argue that the creator is benefiting from the copyrighted work’s commercial value. While monetization does not automatically invalidate fair use, it adds legal scrutiny. In essence, you may freely discuss another work, but generating revenue from extensive use of that work can raise infringement concerns.
Another frequent issue is how much of the original content is shown. For instance, a reviewer might feel the need to display a full music video clip to analyze it. Fair use generally favors using only the portion necessary to illustrate a point. There is no precise time limit or percentage rule, and this ambiguity is often where disagreements arise. Importantly, YouTube’s automated systems do not determine legal fair use — they only detect matches.
Who Actually Determines Fair Use?
YouTube itself does not make definitive legal judgments about fair use. The reason is procedural: fair use is an affirmative defense. This means it is raised after an infringement claim is made, typically in a legal setting. Neither the creator, the copyright owner, nor the platform can issue a final ruling — only a court or judge can conclusively decide.
Because of this structure, YouTube operates primarily as an intermediary. When disputes cannot be resolved directly between parties, the platform often defers to the copyright claimant to maintain its safe harbor protections under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Practical Reference Points for Creators
While there is no universal formula, certain guidelines can help creators reduce risk:
Discussing a Public Figure (e.g., a Music Artist) - You may generally express truthful facts or personal opinions without permission.
Displaying photos or video of that person - Permitted if you hold a license or permission from the rights holder. Often permissible if the discussion is specifically about the image or clip itself (for example, analyzing a photograph). Risk increases if the media is used merely as background while monetized.
Discussing a Music Video or Film Clip - Usually acceptable as commentary or opinion.
Showing portions of that work - Safer when licensed or when used briefly and transformatively. Lower risk when the video is non-commercial and the excerpt is limited to what is strictly necessary for analysis.
Conclusion
Fair use is not a guarantee but a context-driven legal evaluation. Creators who focus on transformation, minimal necessary excerpts, and clear commentary generally reduce exposure to claims.
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*This article is provided for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice, counsel or representation.
