YouTube
Google-owned video platform governed by Community Guidelines (organic creators), Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines (monetization), and Google Ads policies.
What YouTube means
YouTube is a video sharing and monetization platform operated by Google LLC, with a layered policy stack that varies by stakeholder. Organic creators are governed by the YouTube Community Guidelines (strike-based enforcement). Monetizing creators must additionally meet the Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines, which determine eligibility for full, limited, or no monetization on individual videos and channels. Advertisers operate under Google Ads policies plus YouTube-specific surface rules (TrueView formats, masthead inventory, kids content restrictions following COPPA enforcement). The platform is a designated VLOP under the EU Digital Services Act and publishes statements of reasons to the DSA Transparency Database. YouTube Kids operates as a separate ecosystem with stricter advertising and content rules. AuditSocials monitors YouTube's Community Guidelines, Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines, demonetization policy changes, and DSA reporting feeds.
Related terms
Google Ads
Google's advertising platform spanning Search, Display, YouTube, Shopping, and Maps — governed by a unified policy framework with surface-specific addenda.
VLOP (Very Large Online Platform)
EU Digital Services Act designation for platforms with 45M+ monthly active EU users; subject to systemic-risk and transparency obligations.
COPPA
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act — a US federal law that restricts the collection of personal data from children under 13.