The video-sharing giant is undergoing several featural changes to make the experience worthwhile for its users. Recently, in August, YT announced that the platform will be disabling links on YouTube shorts to prevent spamming actions from happening on the platform. So now, all the links that creators used to leave in the description, the comment section of the YouTube shorts, and even the live feed won’t be clickable anymore.
Why Is YouTube Disabling Links On YouTube Shorts?
This new update will be applied to all users from 31 August 2023, and viewers will not be able to access any of these links. YouTube took this measure because the platform was experiencing many spammy links that were misleading viewers. Often, these links directed viewers to sites with dangerous or explicit content.
Many users have reported that these links often contain viruses, malware, or other scams. But as a creator, you might find this a little disheartening. You need these links to monetize yourself on YT Shorts. You might think disabling links on YouTube Shorts will tie the hands of genuine creators as well.
But you don’t need to worry… YouTube has some new plans to add links for creators.
Will Removing Links On YouTube Shorts Hurt Legitimate Creators As Well?
Well, no, it won’t. YouTube has also announced that it will incorporate other ways for genuine creators to add links to the Shorts. Starting August 23, YouTubers who use these links to promote products and brands must add the links to their channel’s home page.
Viewers can access these top clickable links on the channel’s profiles above the “Subscribe” button. Here, YouTubers can add links to their merchandise, products they want to suggest or promote, or other monetary sites. So, thankfully, disabling links on YouTube Shorts won’t hurt any true creator’s pocket.
Another good news is that if you are a creator who links their Shorts with the long form of the video, then you can even do that by the end of September. As we said, YouTube is trying to make the experience good for all users.
How Has Disabling Links On YouTube Shorts Benefitted Users?
Forbidding links on YouTube Shorts will create a safe space for fellow YouTubers who genuinely post videos online without linking to spam content. Since there will be no illegal activity on the platform, the site will gain more credibility.
Conclusion
Disabling links on YT Shorts is a good update that YouTube will be adding to its platform. This will make the platform more credible and reduce the number of scams that viewers face while enjoying their videos. All users can get this update starting August 31st!