YouTube regularly reviews its Community Guidelines as part of normal operations. As noted in our 2023 update, we have retired remaining standalone COVID-19 policies due to reduced global risk. However, our broader Medical Misinformation policy remains in effect for all infectious diseases, including influenza and measles.
We do not allow content that presents medical misinformation that contradicts guidance from local health authorities (LHAs), where it poses a serious risk of harm.
In some cases, content may be allowed if it has clear educational, documentary, scientific, artistic, or public-interest context.
If you see content that violates this policy, please report it.
What You Should Not Post
1. Prevention Misinformation
Not allowed:
- Content that contradicts health authority guidance on disease prevention or transmission
- False claims about vaccine safety, effectiveness, or ingredients
- Claims discouraging or misrepresenting approved vaccination guidance
- Promotion of unsafe or unapproved preventive substances or practices
Examples include:
- Claiming vaccines cause autism, infertility, or death
- Claiming vaccines do not reduce illness severity or hospitalization
- Claims that herd immunity through infection is safer than vaccination
- False claims about vaccine ingredients (e.g. tracking devices, fetal tissue, genetic alteration, or “magnetism”)
- Denying harmful or addictive effects of tobacco or nicotine
2. Treatment Misinformation
Not allowed:
- Content promoting treatments that contradict health authority guidance
- Unsafe or unapproved substances or methods used as medical treatment
- Claims of guaranteed cures for serious illnesses
- Promotion of alternative treatments instead of approved medical care
Examples include:
- Promoting unapproved cancer treatments (e.g. coffee enemas, Hoxsey therapy, Gerson therapy)
- Claiming chemotherapy or radiation is ineffective or unnecessary
- Promoting substances like MMS, black salve, or industrial chemicals as cures
- Encouraging avoidance of medical treatment in favor of unproven alternatives
- Misleading claims about abortion or infant nutrition contradicting health guidance
Prohibited Substances and Practices
We do not allow promotion of harmful or unapproved substances for prevention or treatment, including:
- Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS)
- Black salve
- Turpentine
- Hydrogen peroxide (high concentration)
- Chelation therapy (non-approved use)
- Industrial fuels or chemicals (gasoline, diesel, kerosene)
- Certain toxic or unregulated compounds
Some content may be allowed if it clearly includes:
- Educational or scientific explanation
- Documentary reporting
- Artistic or public-interest context
- Discussion of medical research or studies
- Personal experience (as long as it does not promote misinformation)
- Countering or debunking false claims
These exceptions do not allow the promotion of harmful or false medical claims.
If content violates this policy, YouTube may:
- Remove the content
- Issue a warning or strike
- Restrict features or monetization
- Terminate the channel for repeated or severe violations
First-time violations may include a warning and optional policy training. Repeated violations within 90 days may result in strikes, and three strikes may lead to channel termination.
