Why did Steve Will Do get banned on YouTube?

Steve Will Do‘s massively popular YouTube channel with over 4 million subscribers was permanently deleted in August 2022 for promoting gambling, ending his meteoric rise as a creator.

Who is Steve and How Did He Get So Popular?

You may know Steve from his crazy stunts and challenge videos, but let me introduce you to the talented creator behind the SteveWillDoIt channel.

Steve Will Do, whose real name is Stephen Deleonardis, first gained fame as part of the Nelk Boys prank crew alongside Jesse Sebastiani, Kyle Forgeard and others. He started his own YouTube channel in 2018 and quickly grew an audience with his outrageous personality and willingness to do seemingly anything for content.

In just a few years, Steve had garnered over 4.4 million subscribers and was bringing in $300k a month in YouTube ad revenue at his peak according to Logan Paul. His viral videos showing wild partying, drinking challenges, reckless stunts and collaborations with celebrities like Dana White made him one of the fastest rising stars on YouTube.

Clearly his crazy persona resonated with viewers – before his ban, Steve‘s videos were regularly getting upwards of 5 million views each. He even branched out with brand sponsorships and his own merchandise line. By 2022, multiple reports estimated Steve‘s net worth at around $2.5 million, with the vast majority coming from his lucrative YouTube channel.

So in the span of 5 years, Steve went from a newcomer prankster to a bonafide YouTube celebrity earning millions. But his explosive success didn‘t last.

What Policies Led to the Ban?

In August 2022, Steve revealed that his channel had been permanently deleted by YouTube without warning. So what exactly caused them to drop the ban hammer on Steve‘s hugely popular channel?

According to the notice Steve received, his channel was deleted for repeatedly violating YouTube‘s guidelines against promoting gambling or gambling-related content.

While Steve himself never directly participated in online gambling or encouraged his viewers to gamble, he had posted multiple videos from Las Vegas trips where he was comped hotel stays, drinks, tables at clubs and more by casinos.

Even this indirect benefit from and tacit endorsement of gambling-related perks violated YouTube‘s strict policies. Other creators have also been banned just for showing gambling sites or video slots without actually playing.

YouTube has ramped up enforcement against influencers benefiting from the gambling industry due to increasing regulatory pressure. They likely wanted to make an example out of Steve to discourage other creators from engaging in similar partnerships.

Beyond just the gambling issue, Steve‘s content was increasingly pushing boundaries over the years with his rowdy public antics, binge drinking videos and occasional disregard for authorities. This likely contributed to YouTube‘s decision to just permanently ban his channel rather than issue strikes or temporary suspensions.

A History of Controversy with Nelk

It‘s also worth noting Steve‘s continued close ties with the Nelk Boys, who have themselves faced bans on YouTube previously for inappropriate pranks and repeatedly throwing huge parties during COVID lockdowns.

While Steve departed Nelk in 2018 to start his own channel, he remained affiliated with them in dozens of videos over the years. Their longstanding reputation for controversial behavior almost certainly led to increased scrutiny of Steve‘s channel by proxy.

By maintaining an association with Nelk despite their frequent troubles with YouTube, Steve put his own channel at greater risk of getting swept up in any crackdowns.

Other YouTubers Banned for Similar Reasons

To put Steve‘s ban in context, he is far from the only top YouTuber to get kicked off the platform entirely in recent years:

• UK creators Miniminter, Manny and others were banned for crypto/gambling in 2020
• xQc‘s channel was banned just for accidentally showing slots on a livestream
• LeafyIsHere was permanently banned in 2020 for harassment/bullying
• Etika was banned before his tragic suicide for violent threats on camera

YouTube has demonstrated repeatedly that they can and will delete any channel – even hugely popular ones – if they violate vague policies against dangerous, illegal or harmful content.

What Does This Mean for Steve‘s Future?

Getting permanently banned from YouTube is a huge blow for any digital creator‘s career, and Steve is no exception.

Prior to the deletion, his channel was bringing in approximately $300k per month from Google AdSense alone based on 4 million subs and 5+ million views a month. He also earned sponsorship revenue from promotions done in his videos.

It remains very unclear whether Steve will be able to recover anywhere close to his former income levels now that his primary cash cow of YouTube ad revenue is gone.

For now, Steve appears focused on continuing to grow his Instagram account, which has already amassed over 2 million followers. He can certainly leverage his fame and influence into sponsored content and brand deals on Instagram, but these are likely to pay a fraction of what he earned on YouTube.

Some speculate Steve may attempt to transition to alternate video platforms like Rumble as a new home, but it‘s unlikely he would get the same reach or revenue there.

Ultimately the permaban on YouTube has severely curtailed Steve‘s earning potential as a digital influencer, at least in the short term as he attempts to rebuild his brand. His days as one of the hottest rising stars on YouTube are certainly over.

Could He Start a New Channel?

As for whether Steve could create a brand new YouTube channel and start over, that seems very unlikely given it was a permanent ban for repeated violations, not just a standard strike.

YouTube has language in its terms of service allowing it to terminate the account of any user who violates its guidelines, and does not typically allow banned creators to simply create a new channel after deletion.

For Steve to have any chance of returning to YouTube, he would almost certainly need to appeal the ban and agree to strictly adhere to YouTube‘s policies moving forward. But even then, the odds seem stacked against him after losing trust.

Key Takeaways

• Steve Will Do‘s channel was deleted due to repeatedly benefiting from gambling partnerships
• His association with controversial group Nelk also brought greater scrutiny
• Loss of his YouTube channel severely impacts his income and career potential
• Unlikely he will be allowed to create a new YouTube channel after ban
• Steve is attempting to rebuild his brand on Instagram but has lost access to his most lucrative market

The permaban serves as a stark reminder that no YouTube creator is immune from sudden deletion if they push the boundaries too far. While Steve is now looking ahead to rebuild his career, his days as a dominating force on YouTube have likely come to an end.