YouTube has updated its monetization policies to allow a wider range of controversial or sensitive issue content to earn full ad revenue under new advertiser friendly guidelines announced this week.
The change was detailed in a video on YouTube’s Creator Insider channel and reflected in updated Help Center documentation. It relaxes previous rules that strictly limited ad revenue eligibility for content covering topics such as abortion self harm suicide and domestic or sexual abuse.
Under the revised policy videos that discuss or dramatize these issues in a non graphic way including commentary dramatization or educational discussion can now qualify for full monetization provided they meet advertiser guidelines and do not include explicit material.
YouTube defines controversial issues as subjects related to trauma abuse or sensitive personal topics. The updated guidelines clarify that content previously categorized as demonetized may now be considered advertiser friendly if presented responsibly and without graphic imagery.
The move represents a significant shift in YouTube’s approach to monetization balancing advertiser comfort with creators’ ability to cover important and challenging societal issues. Creators affected by prior restrictions are reportedly able to appeal past decisions under the new framework although details on automatic re reviews remain limited.
The company said the goal is to encourage meaningful discussion on complex topics while maintaining safety standards for advertisers and viewers.
