Restricted mode is an optional setting that has been available since 2010. A small subset of users, such as libraries, schools and public institutions, who choose to have a more limited viewing experience on YouTube use Restricted mode.
Note: Restricted mode is turned off for viewers by default. Learn how to turn Restricted mode on or off.
What does Restricted mode do?Restricted mode was created to give viewers better control over the content that they see. This mode intentionally limits your YouTube experience.
Viewers can choose to turn on Restricted mode for their personal accounts. It may also be turned on for computers in libraries, schools and other public institutions by the institution's system administrator. Viewers who turn on Restricted mode can't see comments on videos.
There are two reasons a video can be unavailable when Restricted mode is turned on.
- Primarily, our automated system checks signals, like the video's metadata, title and the language used in the video.
- Some videos may not be available in Restricted mode because human reviewers applied an age restriction.
We understand that our automated system sometimes makes mistakes when it assesses which videos are available in Restricted mode. We're always looking to improve our automated systems.
Videos that show potentially adult content won't be shown to viewers who have Restricted mode turned on.
- Drugs and alcohol: Talking about drug use or abuse or drinking alcohol in videos.
- Sexual situations: Overly detailed conversations about or depictions of sex or sexual activity. Some educational, straightforward content about sexual education, affection or identity may be shown in Restricted mode. Kissing or affection that's not overly sexualised or the focal point of the video may also be shown in Restricted mode.
- Violence: Graphic descriptions of violence, violent acts, natural disasters and tragedies, or violence in the news.
- Mature subjects: Videos that cover specific details about events related to terrorism, war, crime and political conflicts that resulted in death or serious injury. These videos won't be shown in Restricted mode, even if no graphic imagery is shown.
- Profane and mature language: Inappropriate language, including profanity.
- Incendiary and demeaning content: Video content that is gratuitously incendiary, inflammatory or demeaning towards an individual or group.
We know that there's a risk that some important content could be lost when we apply these rules without context. We value stories where individuals discuss their personal experiences and share their emotions. Sharing stories about facing discrimination, opening up about your sexuality and confronting or overcoming discrimination is what makes YouTube great. We'll work to make sure that those stories are included in Restricted mode. But, to be included, your content must follow the guidelines above.
No, a video that's not available in Restricted mode is not necessarily age-restricted.
Age-restricted content may not be appropriate for all audiences. Content will not be made visible to users who are:
- Signed out
- Under 18 years of age
- Have Restricted mode turned on
Learn more about age-restricted content.
To check, you can turn on Restricted mode. Then, search YouTube to check if the video appears. You can also go directly to the video's URL to check whether it's viewable or not.
Note: At times, videos are not available in Restricted mode when they're first uploaded because our system has to review them. Allow some time before you check if your video is available in Restricted mode.
A video is not automatically filtered from Restricted mode when the community reports it.
Our team reviews reported videos for violations of our Community Guidelines. Some videos don't violate our policies but may not be appropriate for all audiences. In these cases, our review team may place an age restriction on the video. Videos that are age restricted will not appear for users who have Restricted mode turned on.
You can still monetise videos even if they may not be available when Restricted mode is on.
If you edit the video, our system may review it again. If after reviewing our guidelines, you still feel your video should appear in Restricted mode, let us know by submitting your feedback.