Official YouTube Blog: policy

Clearing up some policy myths

Friday, September 30, 2011

Jennifer’s baby bumpMyth #1:Truth: Community GuidelinesMyth #2:Truth: BabyMyth #3: Truth: Community GuidelinesMyth #4: Truth: Myth #5:Truth: video appeals processMyth #6: Truth:privacy removal requestMyth #7:Truth:contextMyth #8: Truth: Myth #9: Truth: Amanda Conway, Policy Associate, recently watched “Flight of the Conchords: Robot Song (HBO).”

Context Is King

Friday, December 17, 2010

Because YouTube is a platform for free expression of all sorts, we take great care when we enforce our Community Guidelines. We try to allow as much content as possible on the site and still ensure that the rules are followed. It is a delicate balancing act, and we depend on our uploaders to help.

Let us explain. Check out the two videos below. Notice anything different between them? Same content, right? Not quite.

Video #1

Video #2

While the difference may appear insignificant, the context of the two videos is very different. In this case, the first video provides very little information, or context, about what the video is about, while the second video is much more instructive. Why does this matter? Because the video alone doesn’t always tell the whole story. A video’s title, description and tags are critical in how we apply our Community Guidelines.

It’s a balancing act. As you can see in the video examples above, it’s difficult to understand the intention of the uploader without the proper context. Why does understanding the intention of the uploader important? Well, generally speaking, nudity or graphic content is not allowed on YouTube. However, we do have exceptions for educational, documentary, scientific, and artistic content. In order for us to determine whether an exception applies, we need your help. The more information you provide, the clearer your intentions will be.

Give as much context as possible. Your video’s title, description and tags are a great way to provide context to your videos. When our team reviews flagged content, titles or tags like “performance art piece" or "street riot in Jakarta" helps us understand the context of the material you're uploading.

Here are some tips on how to surround your videos with as much context as possible:

Provide an informative, relevant title.

Try to add some specific information into the description: who is in the video, what is happening, where and when did it happen, and why.

If you have a website (or know of one) that provides more detail about the content, such as a related news story or artist statement, feel free to direct viewers to it.

Think about your audience. What are you trying to accomplish through your content? Help inform and educate the viewer.

You can also add detail directly onto the video itself, using our annotations tool.

Even if you’re uploading from your phone, we ask that you try to provide as much context as possible.

But remember, there’s still a line. Keep in mind that certain content is still not okay. Don’t post footage that is highly focused on nudity or graphic content, or create montages from otherwise acceptable sources to supplant its original intent. Don’t try to circumvent your way around our Community Guidelines or look for loopholes.

Everyone makes mistakes. If your content is removed from the site and you feel it was in error, you have the ability to appeal the decision. To learn more about the appeal process, check out this page in our Help Center. And remember, context is king. The more detail you provide viewers upfront, the more likely everyone will understand your intent and the less likely it could be removed.

We hope this post gives you more insight into how we review content on YouTube. Our mission is to empower our users to share, educate, entertain and inform. Help us help you in that goal.

Amy Wright, Policy Specialist, recently watched "WILDFIRE (Segment)."

YouTube answers your questions about “YouTube Worldwide”; next topic is advertising

Monday, July 19, 2010

we began in Aprilpartnerships

YouTube channelModeratorMia Quagliarello, Product Marketing Manager, Community, recently watched “Yosemitebear Mountain Giant Double Rainbow 1-8-10.”

Strike you’re out! Or maybe not?

Friday, July 2, 2010

baseballCommunity GuidelinesMy Account SettingsManage AccountAccount StatuspagehereAlice Wu, Policy Specialist, recently watched “Nike Football Write the Future."

More choice for users: unlisted videos

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Update

Help Center page8-Bit Dr. Horrible (Act 1)

Your interview with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

[Cross-posted from the Google Public Policy Blog]Prime Minister Stephen HarperGoogle Moderatorthe deficitchild care

Posted by Jacob Glick, Google Canada Policy Counsel

Recognizing courage, securing online freedom

Friday, March 12, 2010

Cross-posted on the Official Google Blog Reporters Without BordersWorld Day Against Cyber CensorshipChange for EqualityDavid DrummondGlobal Network InitiativeRobert Boorstin, Director of Public Policy, Google, recently watched “Tiananmen: 20 Years.”

Your interview with Prime Minister Stephen Harper / Votre entrevue avec le premier ministre Stephen Harper

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

interviews with Cabinet Ministerscampaign discussionsin-depth news reportsPrime Minister channelCTV interview at the Olympicsperformance with Yo-Yo MaParliamentary speechesyoutube.com/talkcanadarecent interviewPosted by Patrick Pichette, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Googleentrevues avec des ministrescampagnes de toutes sortesreportages fouillésentrevue avec CTV aux Jeux olympiquesperformance avec Yo-Yo Madiscours parlementairesyoutube.com/talkcanadaentrevue récentePosté par Patrick Pichette, Vice-président senior et chef de la direction financière, Google

YouTube Interviews: Pelosi, Boehner, Reid Answer Your Top Questions after Health Care Summit

Friday, February 26, 2010

CitizenTubeNancy PelosiJohn BoehnerHarry ReidYouTube Interviewhealth care proceedings become more transparent1. What is the explicit reasoning behind mandating the purchase of healthcare services?
- Chris, University of Florida

2. Do you believe that healthcare is a right, or that health insurance is a right?
- Brian, Student

3. Thompson Reuters had performed a study in which they concluded that 40% of healthcare waste was from unnecessary care. Unnecessary care is primarily a result of a fear of being sued, aka malpractice. What is being done to address malpractice?
- JatPat, Chicago, IL

4. Why not quit artificially limiting the market? Stop tying health insurance to employers and increase the market dramatically. Allow insurance providers to sell across state lines and increase it even more. The larger the market the lower the price.
- crodgers1981, Lincoln, NE

5. All people voting on these bills should be required to personally read the entire bill before being allowed to vote on it. It is ridiculous that these bills are thousands of pages long. Bills should be written in clear language.
- Blinn, Illinois

YouTube has become the place where leaders can connect directly with citizens around key events in the political process. That opportunity for meaningful dialogue makes politics feel more personal, more democratic, and opens up Washington in exciting new ways. Stay tuned for more YouTube interviews, and let us know in the comments who you'd like the chance to speak with on this platform.

Steve Grove, YouTube News and Politics, recently watched "White House Health Care Summit Part I."

Live, and Taking Your Questions: Health Care Summit on YouTube

Thursday, February 25, 2010

most important political eventpolitical theaterCitizenTubeNancy PelosiJohn BoehnerHarry ReidCitizenTube
The summit starts at 10 a.m ET today at the Blair House (located just across the street from the White House), so head to CitizenTube to submit your questions as you watch the proceedings. Be sure to ask your questions and vote during the event, since we'll close down the Moderator platform at the conclusion of the summit, which is slated to end around 4 p.m. ET.

This promises to be one of the most transparent moments in recent Washington history, so get your health care questions ready.

Steve Grove, Head of News and Politics, recently watched "Stage Set for Obama's Health Care Summit."

Safety Mode: Giving You More Control on YouTube

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

ongoingCommunity Guidelines

Jamie Davidson, Associate Product Manager, recently watched "Alice in Wonderland -- Super Bowl TV Spot."

The White House Answers More of Your Questions

Friday, February 5, 2010

announcedYouTube InterviewCitizenTubeWhite House YouTube channel

CitizenTubeSteve Grove, Head of News and Politics, recently watched "Presidential YouTube Interview - behind the scenes"

Four Experts Address Your State of The Union

Monday, January 25, 2010

With just three days remaining until President Obama's first official State of the Union address on Wednesday, we continue to see great ideas coming in from people about how we can address the most important issues facing the nation in 2010. If you haven't already, check out CitizenTube to vote on the submissions and make your own State of the Union commentary. In addition to highlighting the top-voted submissions from the community, we've worked with Newsweek to bring in four experts to respond to your ideas leading up to the big speech.General Wesley Clark, the retired Army general and former presidential candidate, will take on your top ideas on national security. Nouriel Roubini, a professor in economics at NYU who has been called a "sage" by Forbes for predicting in 2005 that the speculative wave in housing would lead to the recession of 2008, will address your ideas on jobs and the economy. Jim Hansen, a NASA climatologist who has raised awareness for global climate change throughout his career, will weigh in on your top ideas on energy and the environment. And Fareed Zakaria, acclaimed author and international editor of Newsweek, will discuss your top voted ideas in education.We'll feature each of these four expert videos on the hompeage of YouTube on Wednesday, January 27, before President Obama delivers the State of the Union, which we'll be streaming live at 8 p.m. EST, on CitizenTube (youtube.com/citizentube).
Steve Grove, Head of News and Politics, recently watched, "Your State of the Union, Submit Now"

YouTube: No Place for Bullies

Friday, January 15, 2010

OceanKing97 is a 15-year-old using video to raise awareness about the plight of dolphins. His videos are earnest...and a little awkward (but who wasn't at 15, right?). Unfortunately, some people have picked up on his awkwardness and have posted negative, even hateful, comments on his videos.

Ever seen a situation like this, or been involved in one yourself? We thought we'd take a moment to share a few tips on what you can do if people post negative comments on your YouTube videos.

Help & Safety ToolReport4. Avoid making negative comments and encourage your friends to keep their comments respectful too. Thankfully, OceanKing97 isn't a real user -- he was invented by the National Crime Prevention Council to help teach YouTube users about cyberbullying. Check out his video and do your part to keep YouTube safe and fun for everyone.

Victoria Grand, Head of Community Policy, recently watched "Haiti at Risk"

"Just-in-Time" Learning About Flagged Videos

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Community Guidelines

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