YouTube Lets Creators Monetize Controversial Topics—But Not All

YouTube is rewriting the rules on ad revenue for controversial content, letting creators monetize self-harm and suicide discussions—so long as they stay fictional.

The platform is updating content guidelines to allow dramatized or non-graphic discussions of self-harm, abortion, suicide, and domestic/sexual abuse to earn full ad revenue.

As YouTube explained in its 2024 announcement: "In the past, the degree of graphic or descriptive detail was not considered a significant factor in determining advertiser friendliness..." This marks a shift toward evaluating content based on presentation style rather than strict content bans.

Child abuse, eating disorders, and child sex trafficking remain ineligible for monetization due to stricter ad restrictions. Creators previously received a 'yellow dollar icon' (partial monetization) for such content; now, dramatized or contextually framed content can earn full ads.

The policy change follows creator feedback about over-restrictive guidelines and aligns with YouTube’s broader trend of easing content moderation.

Ads will still be restricted for content involving child abuse, eating disorders, and child sex trafficking, even in dramatized forms.

This exclusion reflects YouTube’s continued prioritization of child safety in monetization policies. The 2024 update contrasts with earlier restrictions that "focused on absolute content bans rather than contextual analysis," according to internal policy documents.