Ever looked at that 5-years old video, wishing it to just go away? And the ‘delete’ button just looks oh so nice… The only question is — can you really do that?
If you want your YouTube channel to succeed and stay on top, it’s super important to keep it up to date. Having outdated, low-quality, or straight-up inappropriate videos on the channel can do some serious damage to your image and performance — and we don't want that.
That’s why regular content reviews can be crucial to making sure your content stays fresh, relevant, and on point (as long as you don’t overdo it, though).
The other side of the coin, it’s not always go as smoothly as we’d wish. While it’s tempting to clean up your channel by deleting old videos, even experienced creators can sometimes miss the nuances that could hurt their channel. Before making any decisions that might impact your channel's performance, it’s worth getting a professional channel audit.
At AIR Media-Tech, our experts have conducted thousands of audits, helping creators like you avoid actions that could lead to traffic drops or other issues. With over 125 billion views generated by our partners as a result, our team knows exactly what to look for to keep your channel thriving. Request a channel audit today, and ensure that every action you take is a step toward growth, not a setback.
Now, let's move on to situations where deleting old poses less risk.
It looks like a found-footage
One of the most important factors to consider when deciding when to delete old videos is the quality of those videos. If your old videos were shot on a low-quality camera, have poor audio quality, or simply don't represent your current production standards, it's time to say goodbye. Poor-quality videos can be detrimental to your channel's reputation, so it's important to consider the impact that these videos may have.
Also, that shaky camera only worked in the ‘Blair Witch Project’.
They haven't been doing too well
Another important factor to consider when deciding when to delete old videos is the performance of those videos. If your old videos are not performing well in terms of views, engagement, or watch time, it may be time to consider removing them. This can be an opportunity to analyze why these videos are not performing well and learn from your mistakes to improve future content.
It's just plain offensive
If you have videos on your channel that are offensive or inappropriate, you have to get rid of them, like, yesterday. No questions asked.
Leaving that kind of content up on your channel can lead to some major legal troubles, penalties, or even account termination. And trust us, you do not want to mess around with that stuff. It's just not worth the risk.
The bottom line is this: offensive or inappropriate content has no place on your channel. So, be responsible, take action if necessary, and keep your channel a safe and welcoming space for everyone.
But it's not just offensive content you need to worry about. There are dozens of other reasons your channel could end up in hot water with YouTube’s algorithms. To dodge strikes, demonetization, or even a full-on channel block, learn about video moderation and how to implement it on your channel. This handy tool scans your channel and gives you a heads-up on potential threats before YouTube does, so you can keep your channel out of trouble.
Personal reasons happen
There are situations where deleting old videos is okay (or even necessary). Now, let's dive in, shall we?
Maybe you've changed your mind about something you said in a video, or you just don't want that part of your life to be public anymore. It happens! And if that's the case, deleting the video is totally cool.
Next, rebranding. Perhaps you've decided to take your channel in a new direction, or you've changed your niche altogether. In that case, you might have some old videos that just don't fit with your new brand. It's okay to let them go.
Sure, deleting old videos can have an impact on your channel's performance, but sometimes it's necessary for the greater good. For example, if your channel is going through a rebrand, keeping old videos that don't fit with your new direction could confuse your viewers and hurt your growth. It's better to bid them farewell and start fresh.
Wait. Can deleting old videos get me in trouble?
The truth is, deleting videos from your channel can have some serious consequences, especially if those videos were popular and had a ton of views, likes, and comments. We’re talking about a drop in views and engagement, which can really hurt your channel performance and reputation.
Deleting videos can also mess with your channel's algorithm performance. YouTube algorithm uses a bunch of metrics like watch time, audience retention, and engagement to decide which videos to recommend to viewers. When you delete a video, it throws these metrics out of whack and can lead to a decrease in your channel's visibility and reach.
Now, we know what you're thinking. How can you minimize the damage? The first thing you gotta do is evaluate each video's performance before deleting it. Look at things like the number of views, engagement, and relevance to your channel's niche. If a video has a low engagement or is no longer relevant to your channel's niche, deleting it might not be a big deal.
And here's a pro-tip: consider redirecting traffic from deleted videos to other relevant videos on your channel. This can help keep viewers engaged and on your channel, even if a particular video is no longer available.
Last but not least, don’t forget to consider the legal or ethical implications of deleting old videos. If you've received sponsorship or collaborated with brands on particular content, it's important to check the terms of your agreement before deleting that video.
Altogether, deleting videos from your channel is not a decision to be taken lightly. It can have some serious consequences for your channel's performance and reputation — so, make sure you do your due diligence, weigh the pros and cons, and always keep your viewers in mind.
Whenever you’re in doubt, facing a challenge, or having a question, remember — you can always count on AIR Media-Tech to have your back. Just reach out to us!
