Ever wonder how YouTube works?
Every day, millions of people come to YouTube to be informed, inspired, or just have fun. Over time, questions have come up about how YouTube works, so we’ve created this site to provide some answers - and explain what we’re doing to foster a responsible platform the users, creators, and artists who make up our community can rely on.
Our Approach to AI
We lean into the potential of AI to empower creativity on YouTube, while ensuring we have the right protections and guardrails in place.
Supporting the unique need of kids & teens
We take a principled approach, partnering with experts and developing unique products to help young people navigate their growing individual interests, while putting their safety, privacy, and wellbeing first.
How we Responsibly Support Elections and Civic Engagement
We raise authoritative voices to support an informed citizenry and foster healthy political discourse
Making YouTube safer
At the heart of our approach are the four Rs - we Remove content that violates our policies, Reduce the spread of harmful misinformation and borderline material, Raise up authoritative sources for news and information, and Reward trusted Creators.
Managing harmful content
Curbing extremist content
Fostering youth safety
Preventing bias
Standing up to hate
Sharing revenue
Fighting misinformation
Supporting political integrity
Making YouTube more secure
Whatever you’re looking for on YouTube, we want you to find peace of mind while you’re there.
Protecting user data
Safeguarding copyright
Promoting digital wellbeing
We want you to have the best possible experience while you’re using YouTube. So our products help you find what you’re looking for and stay in control of what you see. Meanwhile, our policies explain what you can and cannot do while you’re there, so everyone plays by the same rules.
Read on to find out how each of our products and policies work.
YouTube Search
Recommended videos
News and information
Monetization for Creators
YouTube Live
User settings
Privacy controls
Ad Settings
Parental controls
Autoplay
Rules and policies
Policies overview
Community Guidelines
Copyright
Monetization policies
Legal removals
Product features
YouTube Search
Recommended videos
News and information
Monetization for Creators
YouTube Live
User settings
Privacy controls
Ad Settings
Parental controls
Autoplay
Rules and policies
Policies overview
Community Guidelines
Copyright
Monetization policies
Legal removals
Find out more about how we’re progressing on our commitment to responsibility and the impact that YouTube has on culture, society, and local economies.
Responsibility through the years
A year by year history of how we've been building a more responsible platform.
Progress on managing harmful content
Key data points to show you how we're enforcing our policies on harmful content.
Our impact
Stories about how some of YouTube’s creative entrepreneurs are transforming their lives and communities.
Culture and trends
Data, current trends, and records that help you better understand the next generation of Creators and artists.
Advancing sustainability
The innovations and investments behind Google and YouTube's plan for a carbon-free future.