Updated
Guide · YouTube copyright
YouTube copyright strikes, checked and cleared.
A claim costs you one video's revenue. A strike counts against your whole channel. Here is how to tell them apart, find out where you stand and get back to zero.
A YouTube copyright strike is a channel penalty that follows a successful removal request. It lasts 90 days once you finish Copyright School, and three active strikes can get a channel terminated. Check for strikes in YouTube Studio under Content, Restrictions. Remove one by waiting it out, asking for a retraction, or filing a counter notification if the removal was wrong.
Claim vs strike: the difference in one table
| Content ID claim | Copyright strike | |
|---|---|---|
| Comes from | Automatic audio or video match | A removal request from the owner |
| Affects | One video | Your whole channel |
| What happens | Video blocked, tracked or its revenue redirected | Video removed, some features restricted |
| Lasts | Until released or disputed | 90 days, after Copyright School |
| Three of them | Nothing extra | Channel can be terminated |
A claim can become a strike: if you dispute a claim and the owner rejects your dispute, they can escalate to a takedown request. That's why you should only dispute when you hold a licence.
How to check your channel for strikes
- Open YouTube Studio and go to Content. The Restrictions column shows "Copyright" on any affected video.
- Click the restriction to see whether it's a claim or a strike, who made it and which part of the video matched.
- The Dashboard shows channel-level strikes and how long they have left.
- YouTube also emails you for every strike. Search your inbox for "copyright strike".
To check a video before it goes live, upload it privately and wait for the Checks step. To score a track before you even edit, use the free YouTube copyright checker.
What a strike does to your channel
- One strike: the video is removed and you must complete Copyright School. Some features, such as live streaming, can be restricted.
- Two strikes: the same, and the risk is now serious. Stop uploading anything you're not sure about.
- Three active strikes: the channel can be terminated, all its videos removed and you can't create new channels.
Three ways to remove a strike
- Wait it out. Complete Copyright School and the strike expires after 90 days, as long as you don't get another.
- Ask for a retraction. Contact the person who filed it, explain and ask them to withdraw it. If you can show a licence, this often works.
- File a counter notification. Only if the removal was a mistake or your use is clearly allowed. Your personal details go to the claimant and they can take legal action, so don't use it for music you don't have rights to.
Deleting the video does not remove the strike.
How Muslim creators avoid strikes in the first place
Most strikes on Islamic channels come from two sources: famous nasheeds re-uploaded with music, and lecture clips used without permission. The fix is the same for both: build videos from material you own or are licensed to use. For audio, that means your own recordings or a library that owns its tracks.
Aswati records every track in-house and licenses it royalty-free for monetised video, so there's nothing to strike. Start with the free pack at aswati.co/vocals, then read how to avoid copyright on YouTube and how to check if a song is copyrighted.
From Aswati
Audio with nothing to strike
Aswati Studio holds 150+ voice-only tracks, royalty-free for monetised YouTube, reels, podcasts and client work, with a licence certificate for every download. Creator is $9 a month; the Production Pass ($19 a month) adds unlimited downloads and stems.
Frequently asked questions
What is a copyright strike on YouTube?
A strike is a penalty on your channel after a copyright owner asks YouTube to remove your video and YouTube agrees. The video comes down, your channel loses some features, and three active strikes can get the channel terminated.
How long does a YouTube copyright strike last?
A strike expires after 90 days, as long as you complete YouTube's Copyright School.
How do I check if my channel has a copyright strike?
Open YouTube Studio, go to Content, and look at the Restrictions column, or open the Copyright section in the left menu. Strikes also show on the Dashboard and arrive by email.
Is a Content ID claim the same as a strike?
No. A Content ID claim is automatic and only affects that video: the owner can block it, track it or take its ad revenue, but your channel is not penalised. A strike comes from a removal request and counts against the whole channel.
How do I remove a copyright strike?
Wait 90 days after completing Copyright School, ask the person who claimed your video to retract their request, or file a counter notification if you believe the removal was a mistake or your use is covered. A counter notification is a legal process, so only use it when you're sure.
Strike-free audio