How to Find Unauthorized Uploads of Your YouTube Videos

How to Find Unauthorized Uploads of Your YouTube Videos

YouTube automatically detects content when someone posts a video and checks whether it belongs to someone else. But most of the time, with a little editing, it’s easy to manipulate YouTube’s algorithm and re-upload the video of another creator.

Every day, thousands of YouTube videos and shorts are copied, slightly edited, and uploaded by other users. Many creators never realize their content has been stolen until the copied version starts gaining more views than the original.

If you face this situation where you are seeing that a lot of people are using your YouTube videos without your consent and gaining more views, then you must take immediate action against them.

But the question is, how can you find these unauthorized copies before they spread further? In this guide, you’ll learn several effective methods for identifying reuploaded versions of your YouTube videos, along with the steps you can take to protect your original content.

Let’s get started.

Methods You Can Use to Find Unauthorized Uploads of YouTube Videos

Methods You Can Use to Find Unauthorized Uploads of YouTube Videos

The following are some methods that you can use as a creator to find unauthorized reposts of your YouTube videos online.

Method #1: Use Copyright Match Tool

YouTube also offers a dedicated tool called Copyright Match that creators can use to find similar reuploads of their own videos. However, this tool isn’t available in all channels but only the ones that are verified.

It works by analyzing the video frames and uses a specific content ID (given to every video and profile) to see any similar uploads. It will provide you with the YouTube channels along with the exact videos that are being duplicated.

You can file a DMCA takedown right away and get that video deleted.

Limitations

  • Only scans the matches across the YouTube database.
  • You must have a proven track record of copyright takedown or be part of YPP (YouTube Partner Program).
  • Optimized for full-length or long YouTube videos.

Method #2: Use Reverse Video Search Tool

If you currently don’t have access to the YouTube Copyright Match tool, then a free reverse video search tool is a perfect choice for you. One popular tool is ReVideo, which extracts keyframes from the video and finds any duplicate reposts on YouTube, social media, and search engines.

The benefit of Revideo is that it’s not limited to YouTube only. You can use it to verify YouTube videos across different platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, and TikTok.

Limitations

  • Revideo only lets you check 1 video per day in the free version.
  • Unable to search across specific platforms, including Quora and LinkedIn.

Method #3: Try Searching with Targeted Queries

This is a traditional method where you can search for a video by typing a target query. This method only works if the other uploader has used the same hashtags or video title, leading to finding exact results of the video.

If you have posted a video about “how to become the smartest person in the room” or “how to control a conversation without saying much,” then use the exact phrase or query to do a reverse video lookup. This way, you might discover an unauthorized re-upload of your video and take immediate action against it.

Limitations

  • As aforementioned, this only works if the re-uploader used the same title or hashtag.
  • The results may not be accurate due to the YouTube algorithm.
  • Requires trying multiple search queries and variations to improve your chances of finding matching results.

Method #4: Use Thumbnail to Find Similar Re-uploads

This method isn’t as efficient as the other methods, but in certain cases, it can also find duplicate YouTube videos. In this method, you first save the thumbnail of the YouTube video and use Google Lens (Google Images) to find similar reposts.
It will perform a reverse image search on the provided thumbnail and discover similar matches across the internet, along with the video source link.

Limitations

  • This method only works if the other person has also used the exact thumbnail.
  • Search results may differ between desktop, mobile devices, and regions.

Which Method Works the Best

When it comes to choosing the most convenient and reliable method to find unauthorized uploads of your YouTube videos, it would be using Revideo. Because it’s a dedicated reverse video search tool built specifically to discover similar copies of your videos posted online. Additional benefits of using Revideo are:

  • You don’t need to be part of YPP or verify your YouTube channel.
  • You don’t have to manually search for duplicate videos using keywords when you have the original clip.
  • You don’t have to use the video thumbnail to find similar clips of your videos.
  • You don’t have to use different online tools to search your video across different platforms.

What to Do If You Find Someone Reuploaded Your Video

What to Do If You Find Someone Reuploaded Your Video

If Revideo shows any duplicate reposts of your video content, then you need to take immediate action against it. It’s a three-step procedure to get the video removed or take credit.

  • Save the Proofs: The first and critical step you need to take is to save the complete information in a file as proof. When you file a copyright claim, this proof will help you. In the file, provide the link to your video along with the date when it was published. And then specify the YouTube channel that is using your video, as well as the video link that belongs to you.
  • Ask them for video credits or removal: Then you need to contact the person through email and request them to give you the credit or remove the video from their channel or social media profile.
  • File a DMCA Takedown: If they don’t respond to your request or totally ignore it, then you must move toward the next step and file a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown. In a DMCA, you must include all the details and documents in the request, and within 7 days, YouTube will take down the video and send you an email.

With these steps, you can easily remove similar video copies from YouTube or any other social platforms.

Wrapping Up

Simply put, unauthorized reuploads of your videos give you a disadvantage and allow others to benefit from your hard work. But the good news is that there are several ways to identify copied videos, whether you use YouTube’s Copyright Match Tool, Revideo, targeted search queries, or reverse image search with thumbnails. Each method has its own strengths and limitations, so choose the one that best fits your situation. Once you find a duplicate, act quickly by collecting evidence, contacting the uploader, or submitting a DMCA takedown request to protect your original content.

Commonly Asked Questions

How to find edited or cropped reposts of my original videos?

It is very difficult to find edited or cropped videos as it alters the frames of the original clip. But with a dedicated reverse video search tool like Revideo, it analyzes and matches scenes and people in each frame. This makes it easier to detect videos that are edited just to manipulate the algorithm and showcase it as a new and unique clip.

Why do people reupload other creators’ videos?

One of the most common reasons why people use other creators’ videos is to get views without putting any effort. They think the original video has gone viral and if they use the same clip, they can also get views and followers.

Can someone legally reupload my YouTube video?

Yes, but only if you have given them the rights to use your YouTube videos. If they have purchased the video rights from you, they can use it on their channel without needing to give credit.

How often should I check for unauthorized uploads of my videos?

If you regularly publish content, it’s a good idea to check every few weeks or after a video starts gaining significant views to catch reuploads early.

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