This is YouTube's overview of the rules that govern what content is allowed on the platform and how creators can earn money. It explains that YouTube uses a mix of automated tools and human reviewers to enforce its guidelines, and that advertisers have their own set of content standards creators must meet to run ads and earn revenue. If your content is removed or you lose monetization access, YouTube says you can appeal the decision.
Technical Summary
This document is YouTube's platform policy overview page, published under the 'How YouTube Works' transparency initiative. It describes the operational framework governing three principal policy areas: Community Guidelines (content moderation standards enforced through automated detection and human reporting), Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines (monetization standards for YouTube Partner Program participants), and anti-abuse measures including partnerships with the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT). The document outlines creator obligations under the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), including compliance with monetization policies as a condition of revenue sharing, and describes enforcement mechanisms such as demonetization and YPP suspension for repeat violations. An appeals process is noted for creators whose content is removed or who face YPP suspension.
Institutional Analysis
This policy overview engages with platform content moderation obligations relevant to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, GIFCT counter-terrorism commitments, and emerging EU Digital Servi…
This policy overview engages with platform content moderation obligations relevant to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, GIFCT counter-terrorism commitments, and emerging EU Digital Services Act (DSA) transparency requirements. Compliance teams should note the dual-layer enforcement mod…
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Regulatory exposure, material risk, and due diligence action items.
To join YPP and earn revenue, creators must meet specific eligibility requirements and follow YouTube's monetization policies. YouTube reviews each applicant's channel before admission, and creators can be suspended from YPP for repeat policy violations.
YouTube uses a combination of automated systems and human reviewers to detect and remove content that violates its Community Guidelines. Content can be taken down before it is widely viewed or even viewed at all.
Creators in the YouTube Partner Program must follow Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines to have ads served on their videos and earn a share of ad revenue. Videos that violate these guidelines can be demonetized.
When YouTube removes a video or suspends a creator from YPP, it notifies the creator and provides an opportunity to appeal the decision if they disagree.
YouTube prohibits content that praises, promotes, or aids violent extremist or criminal organizations, using government and international organization designations to define what counts as such an organization.
YouTube may allow content that would otherwise violate Community Guidelines if it has a clear educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic (EDSA) context, or is in the public interest.
YouTube provides creators with tools to moderate their own channels, including the ability to hold comments for review, block words, hide individuals, and assign moderation privileges.