(The below only applies to videos deleted via Backstage or Feed Update. It also only applies to YouTube videos that were live and visible to the public.)
When a live video is deleted from YouTube, the video's data, (views, likes, comments), are stored for 30 days at YouTube. During this 30 day period, there is a chance the video can be recovered along with its data (this is not guaranteed as there have been cases where the data is deleted sooner than 30 days). When the 30 day period ends, the video and its data is permanently deleted.
If the video was deleted within 30 days:
The video, views, comments may be recovered!* *
Do not reinsert the video via Backstage - this will publish a brand new video on YouTube.
This also creates more work for Content Ops with the extra video floating around, and confuses viewers. Please do not reinsert a deleted video you hope to recover, unless Content Ops advises you to do so.
To recover the video: Please send a request to "reinstate a video" to content@vevo.com
If the Reinstatement is successful, the video, views, and comments will return at the same link! The video will be restored as if it were never deleted.
**Please note that in some cases, the video will not be recoverable even within the 30 day window, this is a YouTube limitation. We at Vevo cannot guarantee reinstatement.
If the video was deleted more than 30 days ago:
The video, views, comments cannot be recovered. This is a YouTube limitation, videos are permanently deleted after a period of days. If you'd like the video to be public again, please "Reinsert" the deleted video on Backstage, this will publish a new video with a new URL.
FAQ:
Should I reinsert a deleted video to recover the lost views?
No, this will just publish a brand new video with a new link, and zero views, likes, comments. Content Ops will only advise doing this if the video was deleted more than 30 days ago and cannot be recovered.
Can the video be reinstated if it was deleted more than 30 days ago?
No, YouTube only stores the data for roughly 30 days, after that provisional period, the video is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you'd like the video to be public again, please "Reinsert" the deleted video on Backstage, this will publish a new video with a new URL.
Can you combine two videos and their views/comments?
No, the merging of two videos is not possible. This is a YouTube limitation.
Can you recover the video but change the video file?
No, video reinstatement, if successful, will restore the video exactly as it was before. The old link, the old viewcount, comments, and data will appear as if the video were never deleted. No other changes will be made, or are allowed.