Anyone who’s spent time on YouTube knows it’s a land of endless opportunities. It’s got something for everyone, whether you’re there to dive into content, or you’re trying to be the creator offering that content. And the best part? There are creators who have turned seemingly simple YouTube videos into seven-figure businesses. That’s right, people are setting up faceless YouTube channels and making millions.
But there’s something crucial that comes with this massive opportunity — copyright. YouTube has some of the strictest copyright policies around, and not understanding them could get you into hot water fast.
So, how are all these faceless YouTube channels popping up and making serious cash, all while avoiding these strict copyright rules? Let’s break it down.
Why YouTube is the Ultimate Business Platform
There’s no platform quite like YouTube when it comes to making serious money. Creators have turned this platform into a bedrock for full-fledged businesses. With just an idea, a few tools, and the right approach, you could be on your way to your first paycheck — without showing your face or even making traditional videos.
The level of freedom you get with a faceless YouTube channel is almost unheard of on any other platform. What’s the appeal? You control your content production, your earnings, and your work schedule. And some channels are taking this to a new level, turning video uploads into consistent revenue streams.
But there’s one line YouTube never lets creators cross: copyright infringement.
YouTube’s Strict Copyright Policy: A Breakdown
YouTube’s approach to copyright is crystal clear, and unbending. The main rule? You can’t upload content that doesn’t belong to you unless you have explicit permission.
Consider this: when someone creates something original — whether it’s a video, a song, or even artwork — they’re automatically given legal rights to that creation. This is the core of copyright on any platform. According to YouTube’s guidelines, creators should only publish videos they’ve made or have been authorized to use. So technically, it seems like uploading someone else’s footage should be impossible, right?
Yet, we see channels across YouTube doing just that and pulling in huge amounts of views and money.
Examples of Channels Thriving Despite Copyright Risks
Let’s take a look at some prime examples of faceless YouTube channels making millions, seemingly using clips they don’t own. One famous case is WatchMojo. You’ve probably come across their “Top 10” countdown videos, covering everything from movies to celebrities. This channel has perfected the art of using snippets from movies, adding commentary over the footage, and making the content their own.
WatchMojo has racked up 25 million subscribers, and according to estimates, they’re making big money year after year. Much of that revenue comes directly from ad views, all while using clips that belong to famous production companies.
Another channel popping off in a similar way is Dr. Insanity, focused on real-life crime events. They lighten the production load by reusing existing footage but carry on with fresh commentary. Guess what? They’re pulling over a million views per video.
But there’s a huge question looming beneath all of this: how do they manage it? How do these channels use other people’s copyrighted content without getting into trouble?
The Magic of Fair Use
Here’s where the mystery unravels: fair use. If you’ve spent any time researching copyright issues, you’ve probably heard about this magical doctrine, but it’s easy to misunderstand what it involves.
Fair use is a doctrine in U.S. law that allows people to use portions of copyrighted content without permission, under certain circumstances. Essentially, it makes some content reuse legal, though it’s anything but a free-for-all.
Fair use isn’t something YouTube alone gets to decide. Whether something qualifies as fair use falls to the legal system. So when you upload a video and use someone else’s content, and you get a copyright claim, YouTube isn’t the ultimate judge. If there’s ever a deeper dispute, it could go to court.
Let’s dive deeper into how fair use actually works and why all of this matters.
What Makes Fair Use Possible: The Four Key Factors
To understand how you can use fair use to build a sustainable faceless YouTube channel, you need to know these four key factors. Nail these down, and you’ll be in a much better position to use content safely, without running into serious copyright problems.
1. Purpose of the Content
Your content’s purpose is probably the most important factor. Are you simply re-uploading clips? If the content you’re uploading directly competes with the original (like uploading the full clip from a movie without changing it), that’s not going to stand as fair use.
However, if you’ve added commentary, education, or analysis, your content becomes more transformative. For example, WatchMojo doesn’t just re-upload movie clips — they produce “Top 10” lists that frame those clips within a whole new context. That’s what makes their use of the content a smart application of fair use. News reports, critiques, parodies, or educational commentary fall under better protection here.
2. Source of the Content
The kind of content you reuse matters. When you pull directly from extremely protected sources, such as blockbuster movies or TV shows, you’re at a higher risk of receiving copyright claims. These industries have mechanisms that could flag your video in an instant, regardless of the tweaks you make.
WatchMojo, for example, uses clips from highly copyrighted content (like movies), but thanks to its large-scale audience and strong fair use setups, the team likely has a successful strategy for disputing claims.
For new creators, though, it’s best to start simple. Focus on less risky content or use content that is easier to modify and transform. Building a faceless YouTube automation business with stock footage or royalty-free content is much easier, especially in the beginning.
3. Amount of Content Used
The more of a video you use, the closer you get to violating copyright laws. Yes, that compilation of cute cat videos might be adorable, but uploading several full-length clips isn’t going to meet the standards of fair use.
The trick is to use shorter clips and intersperse them. A general rule that works well is limiting any individual clip to under 10 seconds. You’ll see many successful faceless YouTube channels doing this. They combine stock footage between their borrowed clips, mixing things up so it’s never just a long stretch of any one source.
4. Nature of the Copyrighted Work
Another factor to consider is whether the content you’re using comes from a fictional or non-fictional source. It’s easier to justify fair use when you’re using factual, educational footage rather than highly protected, fictional content like blockbuster movies. This doesn’t mean you can’t use fictional clips at all — plenty of channels, like WatchMojo, have figured out how to pull it off — but stepping into factual source videos is often a safer bet for beginners.
What Doesn’t Count as Fair Use?
Now that you know the four key factors, let’s address some misunderstandings. First, linking to the original creator or putting their name in the description doesn’t suddenly make unoriginal content fair use. Simply giving them credit isn’t enough.
Compilations, which are everywhere on YouTube, aren’t always considered fair use either. They may get tons of views, but earning money from them — or keeping those earnings — can be tricky. Why? If you’re just uploading a bunch of clips you didn’t create, the original content owners could come after you for their share.
At the end of the day, even if you’re pulling in millions of views with a video of someone else’s content, you’ll run into problems monetizing it effectively in the long term. Focusing on short-term gains may seem attractive, but it’s never a solid strategy when you’re building a YouTube business.
Discover how I run 12+Profitable faceless YouTube channels and make 7 figures monthly from them
How to Build a Lasting YouTube Business Under Fair Use
If you’re starting a faceless YouTube channel, you’ll want to build something sustainable. Sure, there’s temptation to go for quick wins, but success comes from playing the long game. Following fair use helps protect your content while giving you the competitive edge because many creators don’t want to put in the work to do it right.
A lot of the most profitable channels out there aren’t taking shortcuts. They’re following these fair use rules and creating original turns on existing content, just like WatchMojo, Top Fives, and others.
Your Fair Use Checklist
Let’s say you’re ready to dive in. Here’s a quick fair-use checklist I personally follow when creating content for faceless YouTube channels.
- Create original voiceovers – Write a script that adds value to the content. Whether it’s educational, entertaining, or thought-provoking, make your content worth watching.
- Limit clip length – Try to keep each clip under 10 seconds, although this isn’t a hard rule. Just remember, the shorter the clip, the better.
- Mix in stock footage – Break up long stretches of borrowed content with stock footage or royalty-free images. These are easy to find on sites like Storyblocks or Pexels.
- Give optional credit – While not required, offering credit to the original creators can foster goodwill with those you borrow from. It’s a win-win.
- Dispute copyright claims – If you’re following all these steps, and you still get hit with a claim, don’t panic. Dispute it, show how your content aligns with fair use, and you’ll have a good chance of resolving it.
Dealing with Copyright Issues
Even when you’re playing by the rules, copyright claims are bound to happen. It’s part of the YouTube automation business game. The good news is that YouTube lets you dispute claims. If you’ve stuck to fair use, there’s a good chance your dispute will go through successfully.
When writing your dispute, explain how you’ve adhered to the fair use guidelines — mention all of the factors and detail why your content is transformative and not in direct competition with the original.
Remember, YouTube doesn’t just hand out strikes for fun. If you’re abiding by the rules and taking the best practices seriously, you’ll avoid most major issues.
Alternatives to Avoid Copyright Issues Altogether
If navigating copyright claims sounds like too much stress, there are other ways your faceless YouTube automation business can thrive without ever worrying about it.
Here’s a strategy: stick to stock footage-based content. Channels like World According to Briggs and Body Hub use this approach to great success. They rely almost entirely on license-free or royalty-free footage, combined with solid voiceovers, to tell stories. Add in a few infographics, and you’ve got a winning formula.
You can also go the route of animation or screen recording tutorials. Both are examples of content you own outright, which means you call the shots on the copyright front.
The Path to Success: Fair Use or Ownership
Faceless YouTube channels have completely changed the game in online business. Whether you’re reworking content through fair use or producing your own original material, success is there for the taking. By committing to the process and following best practices, you’ll steer clear of unnecessary headaches and build a YouTube business you’re proud of.
Whether you’re interested in the educational niche, entertainment, or something entirely different, the opportunities are endless. And if you’re looking for more guidance, there’s plenty of training out there to point you in the right direction.
Ready to start making your YouTube dreams a reality? Stick to these tips, get creative, and you’re already one step closer to building a faceless YouTube automation empire!
Discover how I run 12+Profitable faceless YouTube channels and make 7 figures monthly from them