YouTube's CEO is offering apologies to the platform's top users following a significant backlash against recent changes to its verification policy.
Just one day after announcing the removal of verification checkmarks and notifying many users that they were no longer eligible for verification, YouTube is reversing these changes.
"We completely missed the mark," the company stated in an updated blog post published on Friday.
"Channels that already possess the verification badge will retain it without needing to appeal. Similar to the past, channels with over 100,000 subscribers will still be eligible to apply, and we plan to reopen the application process by the end of October."
To our creators & users - I apologize for the frustration and disappointment caused by our recent approach to verification. In our effort to make improvements, we clearly made a mistake. As I write this, we're addressing your concerns and will provide further updates soon.
— Susan Wojcicki (@SusanWojcicki) September 20, 2019
To our creators & users - I apologize for the frustration and disappointment caused by our recent approach to verification. In our effort to make improvements, we clearly made a mistake. As I write this, we're addressing your concerns and will provide further updates soon.
— Susan Wojcicki (@SusanWojcicki) September 20, 2019
A Google spokesperson confirmed that all YouTubers who received emails stating they were no longer eligible for verification will retain their verified status without the need for an appeal.
However, the company still intends to introduce redesigned verification labels. Instead of a checkmark, verified accounts will be highlighted or feature a music note (for artists). These changes are now slated for a 2020 rollout, according to YouTube.
YouTube also released an updated set of criteria for future channel verifications. Along with having over 100,000 subscribers, channels need to verify their identity and ensure that their channel is complete, with publicly visible descriptions and profile icons.
YouTube is not the first platform to face issues with verification policies. Twitter "paused" verification in 2017, but it has continued to quietly verify thousands of accounts with backchannel access to Twitter employees. Instagram has also faced criticism for its opaque verification policy, leading to a black market for verification.