Playlists can help viewers watch related videos together as a series or collection. However, playlists that contain or organize harmful or policy-violating content are not allowed on YouTube.
A helpful way to understand this policy is to imagine all videos in a playlist combined into one long video. If that combined content would violate YouTube’s Community Guidelines, the playlist itself may also violate policy. In certain situations, exceptions may apply for material shared in educational, documentary, scientific, artistic, or public-interest contexts.
If you encounter a playlist or related content that appears to violate these rules, you can report it through YouTube’s reporting tools.
What This Means for Playlist Creators
Do not create or publish playlists that include any of the following:
- Titles, thumbnails, or descriptions that violate Community Guidelines, including explicit, shocking, or disturbing material
- Misleading playlist titles or descriptions that inaccurately represent the content included
- Collections of videos that may be acceptable individually but become policy-violating when grouped together
This may include playlists that:
- Present educational or informational nudity in a sexually exploitative way
- Focus unnecessarily on body parts or activities for sexual gratification
- Compile graphic violence in a way that glorifies or sensationalizes harm
- Include multiple videos previously removed for Community Guidelines violations
- Feature physical, emotional, or sexual abuse involving minors
Creators should regularly review public playlists and remove deleted or policy-violating videos when necessary.
Examples of Violations
Examples of playlists that may violate policy include:
- A playlist of real bombing footage presented as entertainment or glorification
- A playlist title promoting discrimination against people with disabilities
- A playlist sharing someone’s private personal information to encourage harassment
- A collection of dangerous prank videos involving fake robberies or invasions
- Playlists featuring minors with sexually suggestive titles or framing
These are only examples and do not represent every possible violation.
What Happens if the Policy Is Violated
If a playlist violates YouTube policy, the platform may remove the content and notify the creator by email. Unsafe or prohibited links connected to playlist metadata may also lead to removal actions.
First-time violations often result in a warning without immediate channel penalties. In some cases, creators may complete policy training that allows the warning to expire after 90 days. Repeated violations within that period may lead to strikes against the channel.
Channels that accumulate three strikes within 90 days may be terminated. Repeated abuse, severe violations, or channels focused mainly on policy-breaking content may also face suspension or permanent removal. Repeat offenders may lose access to future policy training opportunities.
