Does Deleting a YouTube Video Remove a Copyright Strike?

No. Deleting a video does not remove a copyright strike from your channel. The strike remains active until it expires, is retracted by the claimant, or is resolved through a valid counter-notification.

How copyright strikes work

A copyright strike is applied to your channel when YouTube removes a video following a valid copyright removal request. The strike records that a copyright policy violation occurred, and it stays on your channel record regardless of whether the video remains or is deleted.

YouTube states that:

• Copyright strikes expire after 90 days if you complete Copyright School and your channel has fewer than three active strikes. YouTube: Understand copyright strikes
• Three active copyright strikes within 90 days may result in channel termination.

Three ways to resolve a copyright strike

What to do now

1. Do not delete the video unless you are ready to accept the strike.
2. Check your strike history in YouTube Studio under Content, then Copyright filter.
3. Decide your path: complete Copyright School, contact the claimant for a retraction, or prepare a counter-notification with evidence.

See also

• Is a YouTube Content ID claim the same as a copyright strike?
• What is a YouTube copyright counter-notification?
• First 24 hours after a YouTube copyright claim or strike
• A Creator’s Guide to YouTube Copyright Claims, Takedowns, Strikes, Appeals and Counter-Notifications

This page provides general legal information only. It is not personal legal advice. Platform processes, copyright outcomes and response options depend on the evidence, claimant, jurisdiction, contract terms and the facts of each matter.