YouTube updates ad guidance for sensitive dramatised content following creator feedback

New Delhi: YouTube has updated its Advertiser Friendly Content Guidelines to permit broader monetisation of dramatised content that addresses sensitive subjects including abortion, self-harm, suicide, and domestic or sexual abuse, provided the material is non-graphic.

The guidelines govern which videos are eligible for advertising revenue and the level of monetisation they receive. They are intended to balance creators’ ability to earn revenue with advertisers’ brand safety considerations. In the past, the rules have drawn criticism from creators, who argued that broadly defined content categories limited monetisation even for educational or non-graphic material.

Under the revised policy, videos that discuss or depict abortion, self-harm, suicide, and domestic or sexual abuse in a non-graphic manner may now qualify for full advertising revenue.

“In the past, the degree of graphic or descriptive detail was not considered a significant factor in determining advertiser friendliness, even for some dramatised material. Consequently, such uploads typically received a yellow dollar icon, which restricted their ability to be fully monetised. With this week’s update, our guidelines are becoming more permissive and creators will be able to earn more ad revenue,” the platform said.

YouTube stated that the changes were introduced following feedback from creators, who said earlier rules led to reduced ad revenue for dramatised and topical content.

The company added, “We want to ensure the creators who are telling sensitive stories or producing dramatised content have the opportunity to earn ad revenue while respecting advertiser choice and industry sentiment. We took a closer look and found our guidelines in this area had become too restrictive and ended up demonetising uploads like dramatised content.”

According to the updated guidance, dramatised content can be suitable for advertising as long as it avoids highly graphic or detailed depictions. “So, as long as the content steers clear of very descriptive or graphic scenes or segments, creators can now earn more ad revenue,” the platform said.
The revised policy does not extend to content involving child abuse or eating disorders. Videos containing excessively graphic or descriptive material will also continue to remain ineligible for advertising.

YouTube said it will monitor the impact of the changes and may consider further updates based on feedback from creators and advertisers.