A YouTube age restriction means a video can only be watched by viewers who are signed in and aged 18 or older. YouTube applies it to content that doesn’t break the Community Guidelines but isn’t appropriate for younger viewers, and creators can also add it to their own videos. Age-restricted videos can still show ads, but they may get limited or no ads, and most embeds on other sites won’t play.
Key points
- Signed-out viewers and viewers under 18 can’t watch age-restricted videos.
- On most third-party sites the embed sends viewers to YouTube, where they must sign in.
- Check your videos in YouTube Studio with the Age restriction filter, or look for “Viewable by 18+” under Notices.
- You can age-restrict your own video during upload or afterwards in the Audience settings.
- If YouTube applied the restriction and you think it’s wrong, you can appeal.
Why does YouTube age-restrict videos?
YouTube says it may age-restrict content that doesn’t violate its Community Guidelines but isn’t suitable for viewers under 18. Its policy groups the themes into these areas:
| Theme | Examples from YouTube’s policy |
|---|---|
| Child safety | Adults doing dangerous activities minors could copy; adult content that looks like family content |
| Harmful or dangerous activities | Fake harmful pranks that look real; promoting a cannabis dispensary |
| Nudity and sexually suggestive content | Provocative content, or clothing not acceptable in public contexts |
| Violent or graphic content | Focusing on graphic injuries or the most violent part of a film or game |
| Vulgar language | Heavy profanity in the title, thumbnail or metadata; profanity compilations |
The policy covers videos, descriptions, custom thumbnails and live streams. YouTube also notes that the “made for kids” setting doesn’t affect age restrictions.
What happens when a video is age-restricted?
- It can’t be watched by viewers who are signed out or under 18.
- It can’t be watched on most third-party websites. Viewers are sent to YouTube and have to sign in.
- It can still be monetized, but because many advertisers avoid this kind of content, it may get limited or no ads.
- Fewer people can watch it, so views and reach usually fall.
For the advertiser side of this, see creating advertiser-friendly content on YouTube.
How do I check if my video is age-restricted?
On desktop (YouTube Studio)
- Sign in to YouTube Studio and open Content.
- Click Filter, choose Age restriction, then Viewers over 18.
- Alternatively, look for “Viewable by 18+” under Notices for each video.
On mobile
Viewers who are signed in and over 18 can see whether a video is age-restricted by looking below its description. For a full list of your restricted videos, use YouTube Studio on a computer.
For any public video
Our YouTube restrictions checker tests whether a video can be looked up and embedded, and explains how to confirm age and region limits. That is useful when an embed suddenly stops playing on your site.
How do I age-restrict my own video?
If your content is meant for adults, setting the restriction yourself is better than waiting for YouTube to apply it.
During upload
- In YouTube Studio, click Create then Upload videos.
- Under Age restriction (advanced), select Yes, restrict my videos to viewers over 18.
- Finish the upload as usual.
For a video you’ve already uploaded
- Go to the Content page in YouTube Studio.
- Tick the box next to the video, then choose Edit and Audience.
- Choose the age restriction option and save.
YouTube says you shouldn’t use this setting on videos you plan to run as ads, because age-restricted ads are disapproved. If YouTube itself has applied a restriction, you can’t remove it in these settings.
How do I appeal an age restriction?
If YouTube restricted your video and you believe it got it wrong, its policy page says you can appeal the decision. Review the video against the themes above first. Restrictions often come from the thumbnail, title or opening seconds rather than the whole video. YouTube also says its systems are updated continuously, so a rating can change after review.
Do age restrictions hurt my channel?
An age restriction isn’t a strike. It mainly limits who can watch and how well the video earns. Because fewer viewers can see it, it can slow growth, especially for newer channels working towards monetization. Our guide on reaching 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours covers the thresholds.
An age restriction limits reach, so promotion matters more. See our YouTube views packages.
Sources
FAQ
What does age-restricted mean on YouTube?
The video can only be watched by viewers who are signed in and at least 18. It also won’t play on most third-party sites.
How do I know if my YouTube video is age-restricted?
In YouTube Studio, filter Content by Age restriction, or look for “Viewable by 18+” under Notices.
Can age-restricted videos make money?
Yes. They can run ads, but they may get limited or no ads because many advertisers avoid that kind of content.
Can I remove an age restriction YouTube applied?
Not from your settings. If you think YouTube made a mistake, you can appeal the age restriction.
Does “made for kids” affect age restriction?
No. YouTube says the made for kids setting doesn’t affect age restrictions.