Recent updates to the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines
Hi Creators! My name is Conor and I work on YouTube’s Ads Policy team.
We know you’ve been asking for more clarity and transparency around YouTube’s Advertiser-friendly guidelines, so we’re creating this post to share short updates that highlight clarifications made to Help Center articles (namely the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines). If you “Subscribe” to this post, you’ll receive email notifications in your inbox whenever we publish an update to any of our ad-friendly guidelines resources. All of these updates are also logged on Upcoming and recent ad guideline updates. With us so far? Good. 😉
When our teams identify guidelines that need more clarification (commonly based on your feedback!), we update Help Center articles to include additional details and examples, or we restructure the information to be more clear. The goal is to make our existing guidelines much more transparent and understandable for creators who want to monetize their content on YouTube. Within this forum, you'll see the most recent update pinned below this box as the "recommended answer".
As we continue to build out these resources based on your questions and input, make sure you’re using Self-Certification to rate your content – we’re constantly examining Self-Certification accuracy to determine where Creators are struggling to understand elements of our guidelines, and make updates to the guidelines themselves for added clarity.
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Last edited Nov 30, 2022
Nov 30, 2022
[November 2022] Updates to the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines
As we've mentioned here before, we know that creators want greater clarity and transparency around our Advertiser Friendly Guidelines (AFGs) and have been working to update these policies based on the feedback we’ve heard!
We are sharing the latest changes, which adds some clarity around what content is eligible for monetization on YouTube, as well as some updates we've made to the guidelines.
See here for the full set of content guidelines, and below for some more info on what’s changing:
- Adult content
- Thumbnails, titles, and videos containing adult links, obscene language, adult material, and sexually gratifying acts may not receive ad revenue.
- Policy enforcement around classical arts depicting sexual activities, sensual dancing, and sexual education will remain unchanged and may receive ad revenue.
- Violence
- Content showing dead bodies (without context), game violence directed at a real, named person or acts that’s created to intentionally shock and disgust, and videos showing an implied moment of death, will not receive ad revenue.
- Standard game play where gory injuries are present AFTER the first 8 seconds, non-graphic tragedies and their aftermath, or police seizures as a part of law enforcement can receive ad revenue.
- Harmful or dangerous acts
- Dangerous acts or stunts where minors are participants or victims may not receive ad revenue.
- Inappropriate language
- All varieties of profanity are now treated equally meaning they are not differentiated based on levels of severity. Also, we are not treating words such as “hell,” and “damn,” as profanity anymore.
- Content where profanity is used AFTER the first 8 seconds may receive ad revenue. However, if profanity is used in the first 8 seconds of the video, then it will not monetize.
- Recreational drugs and drug-related content
- Drug use and consumption in gaming content may not receive ad revenue.
- Drug dealings or mentions of drugs in gaming content may receive ad revenue.
We’re also introducing new guidelines under the Enabling dishonest behavior guideline. The following content will now be in scope of “This content will earn no ad revenue”:
- Pretending to be a retail store employee without the property owner’s permission or violating their code of conduct
- Using or encouraging the usage of hacking software in competitive e-sports
Last edited Nov 30, 2022
Original Poster Conor (Ads Policy) marked this as an answer
Mar 7, 2023
[March 2023] Updated “Inappropriate language” Ad-Friendly Guidelines
Our update last November aimed to improve the clarity and enforcement of our Advertiser-friendly content guidelines and make it easier for Creators to monetize brand safe content. However, we heard concerns from Creators that the new profanity policy actually resulted in a stricter approach than we intended.
Effective March 7, we are making the following changes:
- Usage of moderate profanity at any time in the video is now eligible for green icons.
- Usage of stronger profanity, like the f-word in the first 7 seconds or repeatedly throughout the majority of the video can now receive limited ads (under the November update, this would have received no ad revenue). See specific examples of moderate and stronger profanity in our Help Center article.
- Video content using profanity, moderate or strong, after the first 7 seconds will now be eligible for green icons, unless used repetitively throughout the majority of the video (under the November update, this would have received no ad revenue).
- We’ve also clarified our guidance on how profanity in music is treated; moderate or strong profanity used in background music, backing tracks, intro/outro music can now earn full ad revenue (previously this would have received no ad revenue).
- Use of any profanity (moderate or stronger profanity) in titles and thumbnails will still be demonetized and cannot run ads, as was the case before the update in November,
What’s next - The videos that received a yellow icon as a result of the November update will be re-reviewed by March 10th and, if they get a green icon, the new monetization status will be reflected in Studio. Note that some videos may remain demonetized if they still violate other Advertiser-friendly content guidelines. You can refer to your rating status page in Studio to check by which guideline your video may be impacted.
We’re always working to improve the clarity of our ad-friendly guidelines and to make it easier for Creators to monetize brand safe content, so please continue to share your feedback!
Google Employee Leah (Ads Policy) recommended this
Nov 16, 2023
Hi creators,
We’ve updated our ad-friendly guidelines for Adult content in two areas that will allow creators more opportunities to earn ad revenue:
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding content where a child is present, even with visible nudity, can now earn ad revenue. Previously, such content was only monetizable if there was no visible nudity. Also, breastfeeding thumbnails with focus on breasts without visible nudity can now earn ad revenue.
- Sensual dancing: Non-sexually graphic dancing involving rhythmic body movements, such as twerking or grinding, can now earn ad revenue. Additionally, dancing featuring fleeting minimal clothing can also now earn ad revenue. Previously this type of content was not considered monetizable.
1 Video
Google Employee Rob - TeamYouTube recommended this
All Replies (25)
Aug 11, 2020
[February 2020] Updates to Controversial issues and sensitive events, and Inappropriate language
Guidelines: Controversial issues and sensitive events, and Inappropriate language
Resources updated: Advertiser-friendly content guidelines
The article now includes a more comprehensive list of issues considered controversial, and an explanation on how we define sensitive events. We’ve also clarified our guidelines around Inappropriate Language by adding more details here.
There are no policy changes, which means you shouldn’t expect any difference in how your videos are checked for advertiser friendliness.
Updates to the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines for harmful or dangerous acts (Oct 2021)
Hey Creators,
We're updating monetization guidance around climate change denial, making it clearer that content contradicting well-established scientific consensus around the existence and causes of climate change may not run ads. This includes content referring to climate change as a hoax or a scam, claims denying that long-term trends show the global climate is warming, and claims denying that greenhouse gas emissions or human activity contribute to climate change. Educational, documentary, commentary, or news content about climate change may continue to run ads.
Last edited Oct 7, 2021
Oct 28, 2021
Hi Creators,
We have a few updates to our Advertiser-friendly guidelines to share with you today:
- We’ve updated our Advertiser-friendly content guidelines to include clearer examples in the following policy areas:
Adult content, Violence, Shocking content, Hateful & derogatory content, Sensitive events, Firearms, and Recreational drugs and drug-related content
- We’ve added a new section: Enabling dishonest behavior. This provides guidance around ad serving eligibility for content relating to trespassing, cheating, or computer hacking that is personal or paid for.
- We've also moved our guidance around monetization of COVID-19 related content from a standalone page on that topic, directly into the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines page for ease of review.
- Finally, we’ve also added a new Definitions section to clarify key terms used throughout the guidelines, ex: words like fleeting, graphic, and implicit.
The tips for monetizing gaming videos section of the Gaming and monetization article has also been updated in parallel to reflect these policy updates.
Last edited Oct 29, 2021
Dec 9, 2021
Hi Creators!
We've updated monetization guidance around Gender Identity Devices; objects that resemble genitalia and assist Creators as they explain their gender dysphoria journeys. Uploads which showcase these devices, but do not show nudity may run ads.
Hey Creators,
We’ve posted guidance on the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines page with respect to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine:
Due to the war in Ukraine, content that exploits, dismisses, or condones the war is ineligible for monetization until further notice. This update is meant to clarify, and in some cases expand, our guidance as it relates to this war.
Content falling into this category is not eligible to monetize, and Creators’ ratings in Self-Certification should reflect this.
Conor
Last edited Mar 23, 2022
Apr 26, 2022
[April 2022] Updates to the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines for inappropriate content for kids and families
Hi Creators!
We recently updated ad guidelines for “made for kids” content to help guide creators on what is suitable and not suitable for ads. We’ve created a new guideline called “Inappropriate content for kids and families” that has three categories: Content that encourages negative behavior, Mature content, and Shocking content.
Last edited Apr 26, 2022
Aug 17, 2022
[August 2022] Clarifying to the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines for Harmful or dangerous acts
Guidelines: Harmful or dangerous acts
Resources Updated: Advertiser-friendly content guidelines
We've updated monetization guidance around content that may be harmful or dangerous. Uploads showcasing vigilantism may not run ads.
The Advertiser-friendly content guidelines page has been updated to reflect this. There are no policy changes, which means you will not notice any difference in how your videos are checked for advertiser friendliness.
Oct 18, 2022
[October 2022] Addition of Shorts to Advertiser-friendly content guidelines
There are no policy changes, which means you will not notice any difference in how your videos are checked for advertiser friendliness. We will provide further updates when updates are made. You can learn more about when Shorts ad revenue sharing starts here.
[November 2022] Updates to the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines
As we've mentioned here before, we know that creators want greater clarity and transparency around our Advertiser Friendly Guidelines (AFGs) and have been working to update these policies based on the feedback we’ve heard!
We are sharing the latest changes, which adds some clarity around what content is eligible for monetization on YouTube, as well as some updates we've made to the guidelines.
See here for the full set of content guidelines, and below for some more info on what’s changing:
- Adult content
- Thumbnails, titles, and videos containing adult links, obscene language, adult material, and sexually gratifying acts may not receive ad revenue.
- Policy enforcement around classical arts depicting sexual activities, sensual dancing, and sexual education will remain unchanged and may receive ad revenue.
- Violence
- Content showing dead bodies (without context), game violence directed at a real, named person or acts that’s created to intentionally shock and disgust, and videos showing an implied moment of death, will not receive ad revenue.
- Standard game play where gory injuries are present AFTER the first 8 seconds, non-graphic tragedies and their aftermath, or police seizures as a part of law enforcement can receive ad revenue.
- Harmful or dangerous acts
- Dangerous acts or stunts where minors are participants or victims may not receive ad revenue.
- Inappropriate language
- All varieties of profanity are now treated equally meaning they are not differentiated based on levels of severity. Also, we are not treating words such as “hell,” and “damn,” as profanity anymore.
- Content where profanity is used AFTER the first 8 seconds may receive ad revenue. However, if profanity is used in the first 8 seconds of the video, then it will not monetize.
- Recreational drugs and drug-related content
- Drug use and consumption in gaming content may not receive ad revenue.
- Drug dealings or mentions of drugs in gaming content may receive ad revenue.
We’re also introducing new guidelines under the Enabling dishonest behavior guideline. The following content will now be in scope of “This content will earn no ad revenue”:
- Pretending to be a retail store employee without the property owner’s permission or violating their code of conduct
- Using or encouraging the usage of hacking software in competitive e-sports
Last edited Nov 30, 2022
Original Poster Conor (Ads Policy) marked this as an answer
[March 2023] Updated “Inappropriate language” Ad-Friendly Guidelines
Our update last November aimed to improve the clarity and enforcement of our Advertiser-friendly content guidelines and make it easier for Creators to monetize brand safe content. However, we heard concerns from Creators that the new profanity policy actually resulted in a stricter approach than we intended.
Effective March 7, we are making the following changes:
- Usage of moderate profanity at any time in the video is now eligible for green icons.
- Usage of stronger profanity, like the f-word in the first 7 seconds or repeatedly throughout the majority of the video can now receive limited ads (under the November update, this would have received no ad revenue). See specific examples of moderate and stronger profanity in our Help Center article.
- Video content using profanity, moderate or strong, after the first 7 seconds will now be eligible for green icons, unless used repetitively throughout the majority of the video (under the November update, this would have received no ad revenue).
- We’ve also clarified our guidance on how profanity in music is treated; moderate or strong profanity used in background music, backing tracks, intro/outro music can now earn full ad revenue (previously this would have received no ad revenue).
- Use of any profanity (moderate or stronger profanity) in titles and thumbnails will still be demonetized and cannot run ads, as was the case before the update in November,
What’s next - The videos that received a yellow icon as a result of the November update will be re-reviewed by March 10th and, if they get a green icon, the new monetization status will be reflected in Studio. Note that some videos may remain demonetized if they still violate other Advertiser-friendly content guidelines. You can refer to your rating status page in Studio to check by which guideline your video may be impacted.
We’re always working to improve the clarity of our ad-friendly guidelines and to make it easier for Creators to monetize brand safe content, so please continue to share your feedback!
Google Employee Leah (Ads Policy) recommended this
Sep 26, 2023
[September 2023] Updates to the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines
Hi Creators,
We’re updating our Advertiser-friendly content guidelines today regarding Controversial issues, specifically as they relate to sexual & domestic abuse, abortions, and eating disorders.
Specifically, we are allowing Creators to earn more ad revenue on content discussing topics such as abortion and adult sexual abuse. This means that content which discusses these topics without going into graphic detail can fully monetize. We know that videos covering topics like these can be a helpful resource to users, so we want to ensure that wherever possible, Controversial issues discussed in a non-descriptive and non-graphic way aren't disincentivized through demonetization. We're also keenly aware that some creator communities feel like they get more yellow icons because they're uploading content about topics that disproportionately impact them. We hope these changes can give all Creators more space to discuss these topics, with eligibility for ad revenue.
Additionally, we’re aligning our Advertiser-friendly content guidelines on eating disorders with YouTube Community Guidelines. Content which focuses on eating disorders and shares triggers like guides around binging, hiding, or hoarding food or abusing laxatives will not receive ad revenue. This change will ensure such content isn’t incentivized with ads and that our monetization and community guidelines continue to be in sync. Note that educational or documentary content, and survivor content that references these aspects of having an eating disorder without promoting such activities won’t be impacted by this change.
As always, all content will still have to abide by YouTube’s Community Guidelines and for monetization purposes, the Advertiser-friendly content guidelines.
For more information on this update, check out our Creator Insider video.
1 Video
Hi creators,
We’ve updated our ad-friendly guidelines for Adult content in two areas that will allow creators more opportunities to earn ad revenue:
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding content where a child is present, even with visible nudity, can now earn ad revenue. Previously, such content was only monetizable if there was no visible nudity. Also, breastfeeding thumbnails with focus on breasts without visible nudity can now earn ad revenue.
- Sensual dancing: Non-sexually graphic dancing involving rhythmic body movements, such as twerking or grinding, can now earn ad revenue. Additionally, dancing featuring fleeting minimal clothing can also now earn ad revenue. Previously this type of content was not considered monetizable.
1 Video
Google Employee Rob - TeamYouTube recommended this
May 21, 2024
Hi Creators,
We’re beginning to rollout timestamp feedback for yellow icon appeals submitted by creators who use the Self-Certification process! This change, which has been a top creator request, will roll out gradually over the next couple of months.
The way this will work is that when a creator uploads a video using our Self-Certification process on web uploads and that video receives a yellow icon, they have the option to appeal and have one of our experts review the video. When that review is complete, the issues our expert found that led to a yellow icon, for either Limited or No Ads will appear for the creator in Studio, alongside timestamps of where in the video they appeared.
A reminder: even with this change, you cannot resubmit for another appeal if you remove violations. We also don’t yet have this feature available for videos that don’t go through Self-Certification, including mobile uploads. That’s something we’re working on though, so stay tuned!