Note: You may still see yellow icons on new uploads as our automated systems learn and are tuned to allow for broader monetization of COVID-19 content. If your content receives a yellow icon, yet you believe it is in line with our updated policies, please submit an appeal so our teams can review and update accordingly.
Content that references and/or features COVID-19 and adheres to our Advertiser-Friendly and Community Guidelines is now eligible for monetization.
Below are some examples of COVID-19-related content that don't meet our policies, and will continue to have Limited or no ads 
- Distressing Footage: Footage of people visibly suffering due to COVID-19, including:
- People visibly sick in a hospital or medical care facility
- People in distress (i.e. being forcibly removed from their location)
- Note: Shots of hospitals or people coughing do not limit monetization, so long as they are fleeting and are to provide context to a story.
- Medical Misinformation: Content that misinforms users about health matters related to COVID-19. This includes content that encourages non-medical tests or exams for COVID-19, or false/unsubstantiated claims about the cause, promotion of dangerous remedies or cures, includes false or misleading claims about the effects or distribution of vaccines, or origin or spread of COVID-19 that contradict scientific consensus. Examples of this include:
- Government or governments created the virus as a bioweapon
- Corporations created the virus
- COVID-19 is spread via 5G technology
- COVID-19 targets certain ethnic groups
- Content that claims that the pandemic is a hoax, cover-up or deliberate attack
- COVID-19 vaccine contains a microchip
- Pranks & Challenges: Any COVID-19 related prank or challenge that promotes medically dangerous activities, such as purposeful exposure to the virus or incites panic including:
- Licking toilet seat challenge
- Pretending to pass out in public
- Coughing/sneezing (or pretending to) on bystanders or food produce
- Falsely telling your partner you have coronavirus
- Dressing up in hazmat suits and inspecting others
- Scaring others into thinking you are infected
Note: Please remember these are just some examples, and that this is not a complete list.
Creators in YouTube’s self-certification program no longer need to rate their COVID-19-related content as a “sensitive event” under the Sensitive Issue question.
Best practices for creating content about COVID-19
If you’re creating content about COVID-19, and want to ensure that your content is eligible for monetization, make sure you follow the guidelines below:
- Fact check your work. Use reputable sources from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and National Health Service to inform your content. For official resources relevant to your country/region, check here.
- Be sensitive to the fact this is an ongoing global crisis. We ask that if you choose to share COVID-19 related-content, you do so with the best intentions in mind.
- Follow both Advertiser-Friendly and Community Guidelines. All monetizing content is subject to our Ad Friendly Guidelines and Community Guidelines. If your content violates these policies, it will be removed or receive limited or no ads. For example, content that claims, harmful substances or treatments can have health benefits or content that violates our violent or graphic content policies is considered violative and will be removed.