YouTube announced major changes to its channel verification badge. While the new guidelines were meant to protect creators from impersonation, they left many users confused and frustrated. YouTube backtracked a bit in an update to the official creator blog.

Here’s what you really need to know about YouTube’s channel verification changes.

Channels that already have their verification badges will get to keep them.

Initially, YouTube planned to strip verification badges from channels that no longer met its new verification requirements. However, this announcement upset many creators, who argued that losing their verification badges discredited all of the hard work they’d put into the platform.

After sending out an initial batch of emails warning creators who might be affected by the new guidelines, YouTube retracted its plan to remove any previously bestowed verification badges. So, if your channel is already verified, you have no need to worry.

Moving forward, channels must be authentic and complete.

YouTube is tightening its channel verification requirements to protect creators and brands from impersonation. Besides having over a hundred thousand subscribers, channels now must also be “authentic and complete.”

In order to be deemed authentic, a channel must be a real and true representation of the creator, brand, or entity it claims to be. YouTube will review several factors to determine a channel’s authenticity. Applicants may also be asked to submit additional information or further documentation.

A channel must also be complete, meaning that it must be public and have a filled-out profile. There must be a channel icon, a channel description, and, of course, content. The channel must also be currently active.

Channels must also have prominence.

Moving forward, in order to be verified, a channel must have prominence as well as authenticity. According to YouTube’s official creator blog, a prominent channel “represents a well-known or highly searched creator, artist, public figure or company.”

Verification may also depend on how widely known the channel is outside of YouTube. Having a strong online presence is a good indicator of prominence.

While the new changes are being implemented, YouTube has currently closed applications for channel verification.