YouTube is updating its ad-friendly content guidelines to allow more videos on controversial issues to receive full ad revenue, as long as they discuss them in a dramatic or non-graphic manner. These controversial topics include self-harm, abortion, suicide, and domestic and sexual abuse. YouTube notes that content related to child abuse or eating disorders will be ineligible for full monetization.
Youtube announced Change in a video on its Creator Insider channel this week.
“In the past, the degree of graphic or descriptive detail was not considered a significant factor in determining ad-friendliness, even for some dramatic content,” YouTube explained. “As a result, such uploads typically received a yellow dollar icon, which limited their ability to fully monetize them. With this week’s update, our guidelines are building more permissions, and creators will be able to earn more ad revenue.”
The Google-owned company says it is making the change in response to feedback from creators that YouTube’s guidelines are leading to limited ad revenue for dramatic and topical content. YouTube notes that it wants to ensure that creators who are telling sensitive stories or creating dramatic content have a chance to earn ad revenue.
“We took a closer look and found that our guidelines in this area have become too restrictive and ended up killing uploads like dramatic content,” YouTube said. “This content may refer to topics that advertisers find controversial, but are ultimately comfortable with running their ads. For example, the content may be in a fictional context or evoke personal experiences in a passing or non-graphic manner. So, as long as the content can be illustrated with very descriptive or graphic scenes or segments, creators can now generate more ad revenue.”
The move comes as YouTube eases up on how it feeds content on its platform.
The company asked moderators last year to remove videos that may violate the platform’s rules if they are deemed to be in the public interest. The New York Times It was reported at the time that these videos included discussions of political, social and cultural issues. The policy shift comes at a time when social media platforms are rolling back moderation of online speech after President Donald Trump returned to office.
YouTube has noted that there are still some areas where advertising will be restricted, as topics such as child abuse, including child sex trafficking and eating disorders, are not included in the update. Descriptive segments of dramatic content surrounding these titles or them are ineligible for ad revenue.