Some language used on YouTube may not be appropriate for viewers under 18. In certain situations, exceptions may be made for content that is educational, documentary, scientific, artistic, or related to the public interest, provided the content is not excessively inappropriate or gratuitous.
If you encounter content that appears to violate these guidelines, you can report it using YouTube’s reporting tools. If multiple videos or comments need attention, you may also report the entire channel.
What This Means for Creators
Content that violates this policy may result in removal, age restriction, or a strike against the channel. When reviewing content, YouTube may consider factors such as:
- Frequent or repeated use of strong profanity
- Use of sexually explicit or suggestive language in speech or narration
- Profanity in titles, thumbnails, or metadata
- Excessive sexual sounds or audio content
- Overall intensity and context of the language used
This list is not complete, and similar content may also be subject to enforcement.
Age-Restricted Content
Some content may remain on the platform but be restricted to adult audiences if it includes:
- Heavy or repeated use of profanity
- Content focused on curse words or explicit language compilations
- Videos where vulgar or sexual language is a central element
- Titles that contain strong profanity
Context and Exceptions
Vulgar or explicit language may be allowed when it appears in content that is primarily educational, artistic, documentary, or scientific in nature, or when it is in the public interest.
Examples may include songs with explicit lyrics, artistic works containing profanity, or official public proceedings where such language is used in context.
Context provided through titles, descriptions, and surrounding content helps determine whether the purpose is informational or gratuitous.
What Happens if the Policy Is Violated
If content violates this policy, YouTube may remove it and notify the creator by email. In some cases, unsafe or policy-violating links may also be removed, and videos containing such links may be taken down.
First-time violations usually result in a warning without penalties. Creators may be offered policy training, allowing the warning to expire after 90 days. Repeated violations during that period may result in strikes.
Channels that receive three strikes within 90 days may be terminated. Severe or repeated violations may also lead to account suspension or permanent removal. Repeat offenders may lose access to policy training opportunities.
