How to Joke in a Video Without the Risk of Getting Into a Scandal

There’s a reason funniest creators dominate YouTube’s viral scene. A well-placed joke can turn a good video into a great one and even become a meme that spreads like a wildfire all over social media. But we’ve also seen the flip side: a joke lands wrong, and suddenly, a creator that was everyone’s favorite a moment ago becomes a highly controversial figure. So, how do you keep humor as a lighthearted tool for growth while avoiding the pitfalls that have taken down some of the biggest channels? Let’s get into it.

Understand the Unspoken Rules of YouTube Humor

First thing you need to keep in mind is that YouTube isn’t a private Discord server, nor is it a call with your closest friends. The platform has an unpredictable mix of audiences, and what’s funny to one group might be offensive to another. If you’re in the gaming or entertainment space, you need to learn where the invisible lines are. 

Case Study: The Adpocalypse

We all remember the catastrophe of 2017’s Adpocalypse. It has been believed to have started with several very bad jokes from the most popular YouTuber at the time PewDiePie (which wasn’t entirely true, but it surely was one of the factors contributing to its start), which led to the UK Government, Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Johnson & Johnson, and many major brands pulling or pausing their advertisements on YouTube. For the YouTuber himself, it was the end of his highly anticipated ‘Scare PewDiePie’ series on YouTube as well as lessening of his earnings. 

In two years, May of 2019, a conservative comedian Steven Crowder repeatedly made jokes at the expense of a reporter Carlos Maza, which prompted YouTube to adjust their Terms of Service in addition to stripping monetization and terminating loads of accounts that thrived off ‘edgy jokes’. Those are the big examples of a domino effect that led from biggest YouTubers and affected the entire platform forever. 

The lesson? Context matters. A joke might be hilarious in a private setting (or in your head) but tone-deaf when broadcast to millions. If there’s even a sliver of doubt, better cut it out.

The "Comedy Safe Zone" for YouTube Creators

Not all jokes are risky. In fact, joking isn’t punished by the yellow coin (if it follows the YouTube guidelines). There’s a formula for humor that works consistently without backlash: 

Self-Deprecation: 

Making fun of yourself is a universal win. It humanizes you, and there’s zero risk of offending anyone but yourself. A famous example of self-deprecating humor that made a channel very popular and not offensive is Caseoh’s channel. 

Observational Humor: 

Joking about shared gaming experiences ("Why do all NPCs walk like they have a bathroom emergency?") creates a bond with viewers.

Exaggeration: 

Over-the-top reactions, exaggerated rage at a game, or absurd comparisons ("This boss fight is harder than explaining taxes to a 10-year-old") are safe and effective.

Community Memes: 

Tapping into memes your audience already loves (without forcing it) keeps the humor relevant and inoffensive.

If you joke too close to the sun and accidentally face the yellow coin while not understanding why, contact us and we will help you out!

How to Avoid "Accidental Scandal"

Many creators don’t get in trouble because they meant to be offensive—it’s because they didn’t see the backlash coming. Here’s how to avoid stepping on a landmine:

1. Check the "Pause Test"

If you pause the video at the exact moment of your joke and screenshot it, does it look bad out of context? If the answer is yes, it needs a rework.

2. Don’t Borrow from "Shock Comedy"

Some comedians get away with pushing boundaries, but they built their careers in that space. If your channel isn’t built on shock value, don’t test those waters—it rarely ends well for YouTubers.

3. Edit With Fresh Eyes

After editing, take a break, then rewatch with a critical mindset. Better yet, have someone else take a look. A second opinion can be the difference between a hit joke and an apology video.

What to Do If a Joke Backfires

Mistakes happen. If a joke doesn’t land and people are upset, here’s what not to do:

• Don’t double down and argue with your audience. Admit to your mistake and work to better yourself and your humor.
• Don’t delete the video immediately unless the backlash is extreme. This can make things worse.
• Don’t ignore it if it’s blowing up. And don’t whip up a ukulele, because that would make it worse on a whole another level.

The Right Approach:

• Acknowledge it quickly without making it a bigger deal than it is. "Hey, I see some of you weren’t a fan of that joke. Fair point—I’ll keep that in mind for the future."
• Keep it brief. Over-explaining can make it seem like a bigger issue than it was.
• If necessary, edit or remove the section rather than nuking the whole video.

The best creators know how to keep humor safe. Gaming and entertainment content thrives on comedy, but it’s not worth losing your monetization—or your audience—over a careless joke. If you keep your humor in the "safe zone" and test it before publishing, you’ll maximize engagement without risking your channel.

And remember—if you’re unsure about a joke, it’s probably not worth the gamble.