YouTube Letter # 6

Subject: Request for Clarity & Resolution Regarding Channel Removal – Sincere Apology & Plan for Compliance

Dear YouTube Team,

I believe I may have figured out the reason my channel was removed, though I was never given a specific explanation. 

After reviewing my past activity, I now have a strong theory — and if I’m right, I want to express my sincerest apologies and take full responsibility.

In my early days as a creator, while I was still learning how content creation and audience engagement worked, I experimented by uploading similar (sometimes identical) videos across multiple channels. 

My intention was never to deceive or violate any policies. 

I always tried to vary the titles, thumbnails, and descriptions as I tested different topics and formats. 

This was part of my learning process — not an attempt to spam or mislead viewers.

If this is what triggered a violation under YouTube’s Spam, Deceptive Practices, and Scams Policy, I want you to know it was not intentional, and I now understand how that could have been interpreted as a breach of policy. 

I’m truly sorry, and I want to make it right.

I have some specific questions that I hope you can help answer:

• Can I report or register all my channels to ensure full transparency and compliance?

• What steps can I take to guarantee this never happens again?

• Is there any way to clarify my intent and correct past mistakes without losing all of my content and connection to the community?

Not receiving a clear answer has left me anxious and unsure of how to move forward. 

I’m afraid to create again without guidance, and I never want to repeat a mistake unknowingly.

Please allow me the opportunity to demonstrate that I am committed to following YouTube’s policies. 

I care deeply about this platform, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to restore and protect my creative space.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

With sincere respect,
David W. Coon
@SunsetGuitarist 🎸 | @SunsetPiano 🎹

❓ Questions I Need to Ask YouTube Support

• Can you tell me exactly what video(s) or content triggered the violation?

• If there’s specific content at issue, can I remove or adjust it to restore the channel?

• Why wasn’t I given a warning or a chance to fix it before the channel was removed?

• What’s the next step in the appeal process, and is there a higher-level review I can request?

• Can I recover my watch history, playlists, comments, and subscriptions?

• Is my second channel, @SunsetPiano, still active and safe from removal?

• Even if the channels can’t be reinstated, can I at least get access to back up my videos?

• Is there anything I can do—training, verification, acknowledgment—to demonstrate my commitment to the guidelines?

• Does YouTube offer any special help or reconsideration process for disabled veterans like me?

I think I may have figured out why my channel was removed.

While I was never given a clear explanation, I’ve been reflecting on my past activity, and I now have a strong theory about what might have triggered the violation. 

I believe it could have been that I uploaded similar or even identical videos across multiple channels. 

This happened early on when I was still learning how content creation worked — I was experimenting with different topics, formats, and audiences.

To be clear, I always made efforts to change things like the titles, thumbnails, and descriptions. 

I was genuinely trying to learn what worked, not to deceive anyone or violate policies. 

If this was the issue, I want to say sincerely: I’m so sorry. 

It was never intentional, and I now understand how that could have been seen as spam or deceptive behavior.

I'm asking:

• Can I report all the channels I own to ensure transparency?

• What steps can I take to make sure this never happens again?

• Is there a way to clarify my intent and correct any past mistakes without being permanently removed?
  
  

Not having a clear explanation has made me anxious and scared to create again. 

I want to do everything the right way going forward. 

Please give me the opportunity to make this right.

📄 My Personal Summary for the Call

My name is David W. Coon. I’m a 100% disabled USMC Afghanistan veteran. 

YouTube has been my creative outlet, my mental health support system, and my connection to the outside world. 

I’ve been a passionate user for nearly 20 years and a content creator for the last three.

Recently, my channels — @SunsetGuitarist and @SunsetPiano — were removed under YouTube’s Spam, Deceptive Practices, and Scams Policy, but I truly believe this was a mistake. 

I have never scammed or deceived anyone, and I was not given a clear explanation or a chance to fix any issue before the removal.

This decision has had a devastating impact on my mental health and well-being. 

As someone who lives alone with no close family, my YouTube work is more than content — it’s a lifeline. 

I’m asking for a second review, clarity on what went wrong, and a chance to make it right. 

I am fully willing to remove or correct any flagged content.

✅ Key Points I Want to Bring Up During the Call

• I am a disabled veteran, and YouTube has been my main form of connection, therapy, and purpose.

• I never knowingly broke any rules, and I’ve never engaged in deception, scams, or spam.

• I lost over 1,600 videos and 3 years of hard work — including private therapy sessions and mental health logs.

• I was not told specifically what I did wrong, nor given the chance to fix or respond before my channels were removed.

• I’m willing to remove, edit, or do whatever is necessary to be in full compliance with YouTube’s policies.

• This decision is hurting me, not protecting the community.

• I’m simply asking for clarity, fairness, and the opportunity to fix the issue and recover my work.