YouTube has revised its monetization policy, now permitting videos featuring strong language, such as “fuck,” within the initial seven seconds to qualify for full ad eligibility. This update has been confirmed by Conor Kavanagh, YouTube’s head of monetization policy experience. Earlier, such videos were restricted to generating only “limited ad revenue.”
The policy change regarding language considered inappropriate has been controversial among creators. In November 2022, YouTube set potential ad revenue limitations for videos using profanity within the first 8–15 seconds. SungWon Cho, known online as ProZD, criticized this policy in a video, deeming it “the dumbest fucking shit I’ve ever heard” after waiting for 15 seconds to express his disapproval. Despite his efforts, the video was demonetized. In March 2023, YouTube adjusted its rules, enabling videos containing profanity in the initial 8–15 seconds to be eligible for ad revenue.
I asked ProZD his thoughts about Tuesday’s change. “It’s about fucking time.”
The original restrictions on monetizing early profanity in videos were intended to comply with “broadcast standards,” as Kavanagh explains. Advertisers were thought to prefer a buffer between offensive language and their advertisements. However, he notes that “those expectations have changed,” and advertisers can now target content to match their preferred level of language offensiveness.
Kavanagh singles out “fuck” as a prime example of “strong” profanity, while “moderate profanity” encompasses words like “asshole” and “bitch.” He reassures, “you get the idea,” regarding what qualifies as profane language.
Despite these changes, YouTube still imposes monetization restrictions if moderate or strong language is used in video titles or thumbnails. Additionally, videos heavily laden with strong profanity remain in violation of YouTube’s advertiser-friendly content policies, Kavanagh notes. “It’s essential to be selective with your use of strong language.”
