Reposting rules on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and more, side by side
The short answer
Posting someone else's video unchanged loses you reach or pay almost everywhere: TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn all want something of yours added, like commentary, real edits or your own footage.
- TikTok keeps reposts with nothing new added off the For You feed, and they can't earn Creator Rewards.
- YouTube can remove a re-upload that adds nothing, and its reused content policy blocks monetization even when the original creator said yes.
- Instagram stops recommending accounts that repost other people's content 10 or more times in 30 days.
- Facebook counts borders, a caption, background music, a speed change or a basic compilation as minor edits, so the clip still gets reduced distribution.
- X won't pay for reuploads or lightly edited copies, and re-posting something already removed for copyright can get an account suspended for good.
- Snapchat won't pay for a reaction video unless your face stays on screen and you really talk about the clip.
- TikTok
- YouTube
- X
- Snapchat
At a glance
| Platform | What can happen | Its strictest rule |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Taken down, Demonetized, Shown to fewer people | Using others' videos, film/TV or brands without rights |
| YouTube | Taken down, Demonetized | Re-upload of someone else's video with nothing added |
| Shown to fewer people | Reposted content with minor edits (not recommended) | |
| Demonetized, Shown to fewer people | Account repeatedly reposts others' content | |
| X | Taken down, Demonetized | Re-uploading something removed for copyright |
| Snapchat | Demonetized, Shown to fewer people | TV, movie or reposted clips (not monetizable) |
| Taken down | Someone else's video, music or artwork | |
| Shown to fewer people | Copied content with nothing added |
The rules, side by side
Each row is a platform's own rule: what it means, what the platform says, how to fix it, and where to read it in full.
| Platform | The rule, in plain words | In their words | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Using others' videos, film/TV or brands without rightsRemovalContent that infringes someone else's copyright (e.g. re-posted film, TV, sports or other creators' videos without permission) or trademark. Repeat infringers are banned; severe cases can be banned immediately.Fix: Use your own footage or licensed material, keep borrowed clips short and add substantial commentary, or get permission. | “Any user content that infringes another person's copyright may be removed.” | |
| TikTok | Rewards video with little original inputDemonetizationAccount info or video copied from others or with minimal original input or edits.Fix: Add your own footage, voice, commentary and editing. | “Unoriginal: Your account info or video content is copied from others or has minimal original input or edits.” | |
| TikTok | Reposted or compiled content with nothing new addedNot recommendedContent copied from others or largely repurposed without creative edits, or compilations from several sources with little added value.Fix: Add original voiceover, commentary, analysis or editing that changes the meaning, or post your own footage. | “Content is also ineligible for the FYF if it includes unoriginal or reused material without anything new.” | |
| YouTube | Re-upload of someone else's video with nothing addedRemovalRe-posting material from other websites, platforms or videos in full, without original commentary, educational value or unique editing.Fix: Add substantial commentary, analysis or editing, or don't upload it. Export your own clean master without other apps' watermarks. | “Re-posting material from other websites or platforms, or other videos without adding anything of your own” | |
| YouTube | Reused content without real commentary or editsDemonetizationRepurposing others' content without significant commentary or editing: clip compilations, Shorts compiled from other social sites, song collections (even with permission), content uploaded many times by others, mostly non-verbal reactions, reading others' text, songs only pitch- or speed-shifted.Fix: Add voice commentary, critique or a storyline, appear on camera or explain your contribution, and recut instead of re-uploading. | “This policy applies even if you have permission from the original creator.” | |
| YouTube | Unoriginal Short earns nothing from viewsDemonetizationShorts that are unedited clips of movies or TV, re-uploads of other creators' content from YouTube or other platforms, or compilations with no original content.Fix: Make the Short original or transformative: your own footage, voice or edit, exported without other apps' watermarks. | “Non-original Shorts, such as unedited clips from others' movies or TV shows, reuploading other creators' content from YouTube or other platform, or compilations with no original content added” | |
| InstagramFacebook | Reposted content with minor edits (not recommended)Not recommendedUnoriginal content largely repurposed from another source with only minor, immaterial edits.Fix: Add real value: your own footage, on-screen presence, commentary or new information. | “Unoriginal content that is largely repurposed from another source” |
|
| Account mostly reposts others' contentNot recommendedPosting content from other Instagram users that you didn't create or materially enhance 10 or more times in a rolling 30 days makes the account ineligible for recommendations. Since April 2026 this reportedly extends to accounts that mainly post unoriginal photos and carousels too.Fix: Transform reposts with your own narration, edits or graphics, or use Collab with the original creator; check eligibility in Account Status. | “accounts that repeatedly (10 or more times in the last 30 days) post content from other Instagram users that they didn't create or enhance in a material way will not be shown in surfaces where we recommend content” | ||
| Account repeatedly reposts others' contentDemonetizationRepeatedly reusing other creators' videos, photos or text without permission or meaningful enhancement; duplicate videos are also shown less in favour of the original.Fix: Post primarily original content; check Support home in the Professional Dashboard for recommendation or monetization penalties and appeal mistakes. | “will not only lose access to Facebook monetization programs for a period of time, but will also receive reduced distribution on everything they share.” | ||
| Third-party clip with only minor editsReduced reachPosting someone else's video or photo with only minor changes: borders, logos or watermarks, a caption or title, background music, speed change, subtitles, describing what happens, watch-along or facial-expression reactions, basic compilations of clips, or an added intro/outro.Fix: Make your own commentary, analysis or story the focus, or post footage you filmed. | “Third-party content that is posted without substantial changes is considered unoriginal and will receive reduced distribution.” | ||
| X | Re-uploading something removed for copyrightAccount strikeRe-posting material that was already removed after a copyright complaint, or pointing viewers to where copyrighted material can be accessed elsewhere.Fix: Do not re-upload. File a counter-notice if you believe the removal was wrong. | “Re-posting material removed in response to a copyright complaint may result in permanent account suspension.” | |
| X | Reuploads, compilations or lightly edited copiesDemonetizationContent copied from others, downloaded from X or another platform and reuploaded by someone who is not the author, minimally modified (a filter, speed change, text overlay, a word changed), or compilations of others' clips without substantial new framing.Fix: Add substantial original commentary, analysis or your own footage, or post only content you made. | “Minimally modified content: Content reproduced from others with only slight changes, such as changing a word or two in a post, adding a filter, adjusting video speed, or placing a text overlay, that don't meaningfully transform the...” | |
| Snapchat | TV, movie or reposted clips (not monetizable)DemonetizationUnaltered clips or compilations from TV shows, movies or music videos, or re-uploads of other people's social media posts.Fix: Add substantial original commentary or editing, or post your own footage. | “Unaltered clips or compilations of clips from TV shows, movies, music videos” | |
| Snapchat | Reaction video missing face, voice or real reactionDemonetizationA reaction to someone else's video where your face is not visible throughout, you are not speaking (pointing or nodding doesn't count), the reaction is generic, or your audio is not clearly audible.Fix: Keep your face on screen throughout, talk about the specific clip, and mix your voice clearly above the source audio. | “Your face must be clearly visible throughout the duration of the video.” | |
| Snapchat | Reposted or barely changed contentNot recommendedPosting someone else's video without creative change, low-effort 'reactions' that are a pretext to repost, or re-posting the same video again with minimal differences.Fix: Post your own footage, or add real commentary or transformation to clips you use. | “Repeatedly posting the same content, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, with minimal creative differences” | |
| Someone else's video, music or artworkRemovalContent that infringes someone's copyright, trademark, privacy or other rights, such as re-uploaded videos, copyrighted music or another creator's artwork.Fix: Use your own footage and music you have the rights to. | “If your account gets content removed based on too many copyright infringement reports, you could lose the ability to save Pins on Pinterest, or we may disable your account altogether.” | ||
| Copied content with nothing addedNot recommendedSimply copying and posting someone else's content (video, carousel, text) without your own insight.Fix: Reshare with your own perspective, or make your own version. | “Resharing valuable posts with your network is always encouraged, but simply copying and posting someone else’s content is discouraged.” |