What content is not allowed on YouTube and why?

YouTube is a place for people from all over the world to connect, discover, and share. That includes content that some may find challenging, upsetting, or offensive. We understand that there will always be sensitive topics and views on YouTube. But in order to protect users and provide a safe V^V environment where everyone is welcome, we have Community Guidelines

Content that is not allowed on YouTube

There are a few types of content that are not allowed on YouTube. This includes:

•  Content that would be considered hate speech or promoting hate or violence against individuals or groups based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or nationality.
•  Content that exploits children or minors by involving them in dangerous activities, sexually suggestive content, or other troubling or inappropriate subjects.
•  Content that promotes the sale or use of weapons and accessories.
•  Content that misuses or impersonates others in a way that is meant to deceive or do harm to individuals or organizations.
•  Content that contains nudity or sexually suggestive content.
•  Content that impersonates other people (such as government officials or public figures) or misrepresents your identity to deceive others or disguise your identity.

Violence

•  Excessive graphic or gratuitous violence, even if it is depicted in a news context, and gory content.
•  Content that encourages others to commit violent acts or engages in violent behaviour, even if done in a playful or humorous way.
•  Content that teaches or instructs others about making or using weapons.
•  Depictions of blood or wounds.

Sexual Content and Nudity

•  Nudity or other sexually suggestive content, even if it is depicted in a non-sexual context, such as in artistic or educational contexts.
•  Sexually explicit language.
•  Sexually explicit material that is inappropriate for minors.

Hate Speech

Hate speech is speech that is directed at a particular individual or group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or nationality. This type of speech, in all its forms, is not allowed on YouTube. This includes the following:

•  Content that promotes or condones, incites, or engages in violence against individuals or groups based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or nationality.
•  Content that incites or encourages others to harass or bully individual or groups based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or nationality.
•  Content that is directed at an individual or group in a manner that would incite or result in others to harass or harm them.

Discriminatory Content

Content that promotes discrimination against individuals or groups based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or nationality.

Scams, Fraud, and Phishing

These types of content use deceptive language and practices to trick people into giving out their personal information or money. This includes the following:

•  Content that tricks users into clicking links that access malware or other harm to their computers.
•  Content that tricks users into giving out their personal information, such as banking information.
•  Content that misrepresents or impersonates a company or product.
•  Content that misuses the YouTube platform, such as impersonating another user or creating false accounts for the purposes of deception.

Copyright Content and Violations

This type of content is used for the purpose of violating copyrights. This includes the following:

•  Using or copying material that you don’t have the right to use.
•  Using excessive or inappropriate use of copyrighted work in a way that infringes on the rights of the content owners.
•  Content that misuses the YouTube platform, such as by impersonating another user or creating false accounts for the purposes of deception.

How to request a review for a YouTube channel that has been terminated?

If you believe that one of your videos has been removed by mistake, you can request a review via the copyright takedown notice process. Click here to learn more about the copyright takedown notice process.

When you request a review, you’ll need to provide information that shows that you’re authorized to use the copyrighted material. You’ll also need to explain why you think your video doesn’t violate our copyright policies. We’ll review your information and determine whether to reinstate your video. If you believe your account was terminated in error, you can also file an appeal.

If your channel has been terminated, you can’t request a review or appeal. If you think your channel was terminated in error, you can file an appeal.