Help! I think my video's been botted.

XXLRay said:
If you are really frightened you can set the video to private until Analytics data comes in. HAve you tried searching for the video ID instead of the title?
Click to expand...
What's the video ID? / Where do I find it?[DOUBLEPOST=1440606455,1440606259][/DOUBLEPOST]Minor update: the veiws went down by about 2k, but still over 12k more than the views I think it should have. Analytics still hasn't updated with the increased views.
 
The video ID is the cryptic number character combination in your video link. The part after watch?v=.
 
OK, analytics updated. I no longer have any doubt I was botted. The views were all 10s exactly each, and were mostly from Russia, so I guess someone doesn't like me? What did I do? What now? My watch time is completely ruined, this is completely unfair. Can I report this somewhere?

7,096 (56%)
1,238 (46%)
0:10

1,765 (14%)
305 (11%)
0:10

1,124 (8.9%)
197 (7.3%)
0:10

(there were more but not as many as Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan)
 
Currently there is no official way to tackle the problem. Bought views needn't come from a competitor. Maybe a fan wanted to "help" you or a view provider tried to hide his activity.

To prevent future video removals I would suggest the following. As you detected suspicious view sources and peaks in your analytics set the video to private to prevent additional false views. Use the feedback button on the bottom of you video editor menu to inform Youtube about your observations and counter actions. Tell them you are going to search pro-actively for the source and that you are going to make sure it will not happen again. If your video is monetized inform AdSense as well by using their Invalid Clicks Contact For (support dot google dot com slash adsense slash bin slash request.py?contact_type=invalid_clicks_contact). Users had their AdSense Account permanently terminated for invalid clicks in the past.

Once you took these "first aid" actions try to find out the source website for these views from your Youtube Analytics. Search the web for the depending contact data and tell the responsibles to stop directing views to your channel. If they repeat their behaviour take legal action.

Note that this is no guarantee that Youtube won't delete your videos. It's just the best way to tackle the problem I can think of.

If your video got deleted anyway you may use the YouTube View Abuse Appeal Form (support dot google dot com slash youtube slash contact slash tou_removal_appeal). Make sure to describe the counter-actions you took to prevent the Youtube system from damage.
 
Hmm it seems all the Russian views are 100% from FB, I think it might be related to this app I put on there (earlier in the week) to show a tab on my pg that shows my YouTube videos, my cover song is the one i put as the main video. I haven't had any more crazy views, it's back to normal now. Maybe I should just remove the app? It seemed like a popular one to use, I found out about it from some tutorial video.[DOUBLEPOST=1440664928,1440663656][/DOUBLEPOST]I submitted a feedback form, so will wait to see what they say.
 
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