In recent times, the growth of a YouTube channel for most Ethiopian content creators has encountered a roadblock, owing to the new restrictions in the verification process. Created channels on YouTube that have not been taken over by Ethiopians have over the years been sent codes for verification to the local mobile operators Ethio telecom and Safaricom. But this service recently came to a halt, posing a great challenge to creators who require two-step verification to safeguard their channels.
The Impact on YouTube Verification in Ethiopia
Previously, the YouTube users in Ethiopia were able to verify their accounts by entering a code sent to their mobile numbers, which is a crucial step in enabling channel verification, among other features, and 2-step authentication. This process helped local YouTubers to gain trust and protect their accounts.
Sadly, however, YouTube no longer appears to send verification codes via local networks, leaving many unable to successfully complete their verification steps. It’s an unfortunate development for the content creators, especially the ones with existing fully functional channels, but are unable to turn on 2 step verification or receive codes to help protect their accounts.
The specific cause behind this interruption is still a mystery. It is not clear if Google has suspended this service for a time or for good, but the ugly truth is that Ethiopian YouTubers are all shut down for now. This is more difficult for those who tend to take mobile verification due to the security installations of the platform.
Ethiopia’s Exclusion from the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
On top of this, another conflict arises, this time due to Ethiopia’s inclusion in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This means that Ethiopian creators cannot promote their videos by attaching advertisements in them which is a major setback for many who depend on YouTube as a source of income. If content makers in other countries promote their videos with ads, tv channels in Ethiopian countries are denied this right.
Sadly, this has not changed for Ethiopian YouTube channels that have suffered into the growing cycle of views and likes and even engagement. Monetization from ads has never been done and this has caused bitter disappointment among content creators who have devoted a lot of their time to building their channels.
Where Do Ethiopian YouTubers Go From Here?
Currently Ethiopian YouTubers endure a two-fold challenge- the first being that they are unable to verify their channels due to scarcity of working mobile phones and the second being that there is no monetization offered through the YouTube partner program. This scenario compels one to wonder about the ethos of YouTube towards the content producers in Ethiopia and if at all these problems will get addressed.
It remains to be seen whether Google will provide a solution to the verification problem by restoring the verification code service through local telecoms such as Ethio Telecom and Safaricom. Until that happens, it is likely that Ethiopian creators will continue to experience some challenges in protecting their accounts and enjoying all the available tools of YouTube.
The overarching concern as to why Ethiopia is still not a member of YouTube’s Partner Programs remains unanswered, amidst hopes from many content creators for changes that would enable them to subscribe to all monetization provisions of the platform.
There’s no clear schedule on when, or if, these problems will get solved. For Ethiopian YouTubers, it is, however, imperative, that they keep abreast of developments and seek other avenues through which they can safeguard and expand their channels.
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