YouTube updates policy enforcement for violence in video games

YouTube updates policy enforcement for violence in video games

Starting December 2, 2019, YouTube will treat violence in video games the same way as other types of scripted content. With this update YouTube wants to make a clear distinction between real-world violence and scripted or simulated violence, such as the one present in movies, TV shows, or video games.

This change in enforcement of YouTube's policies on violent or graphic content gives creators a better understanding on how to classify their videos using the self-rate feature, and helps YouTube determine if a video should have all ads enabled or not. 

These are some examples of what YouTube's policies on violent content consider to apply age-restriction or remove content:
  1. Whether violent or gory imagery is the focus of the video
  2. Whether the title, description, tags, or other data indicate an intent to shock or disgust
  3. Whether violent imagery or audio has been blurred, masked, or obscured
  4. The amount of time the violent images or audio is in the content
  5. If there’s context letting viewers know that the imagery is dramatized or fictional, such as by stating so in the video, title, or description

For gaming content creators, this means:
  1. Less restrictions for violence in gaming.
  2. Future gaming uploads that include scripted or simulated violence may be approved instead of being age-restricted.
  3. If gory or violent imagery is the focus of the video YouTube may still age-restrict the content.
YouTube noted that this update doesn't change their advertiser-friendly guidelines, which are a separate set of guidelines.

You can check YouTube's announcement here, and watch our video below for more details.


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