Table of Contents
How Can You Effortlessly Safeguard Your Content From YouTube’s Terrible New Age-Gate Rules?
YouTube is changing its rules for videos that show violence in video games and for content related to gambling. These new guidelines will affect what you can post and who can see it. It is important for creators to understand these changes to avoid having their videos removed or restricted.
New Rules for Gaming Videos
Starting November 17, 2025, YouTube will age-restrict gaming videos that feature highly realistic violence. This means viewers under 18 will not be able to watch them. Your video may be restricted if it contains scenes that focus on realistic human-like characters and show extreme violence.
YouTube will look for specific things to decide if a video needs to be age-restricted:
- Realistic Harm: The content shows characters that look like real people being seriously harmed.
- Types of Violence: The video includes graphic scenes of torture or mass violence against people who are not fighting back.
- Focus of the Scene: The violence is the main point of the scene, is shown up-close, or lasts for a long time.
Fleeting or less prominent scenes of violence may not be restricted, but any sustained or central focus on graphic acts will likely lead to an age gate.
Updates to Gambling Content Policy
The policy update also includes stricter rules for gambling-related content.
- Videos are not allowed to direct viewers to online gambling sites or apps unless they are certified by Google.
- This rule now applies to gambling with digital goods, such as video game skins or NFTs.
- Content that shows or promotes social casino sites will be age-restricted.
What Creators Need to Do
These changes will apply to all videos on the platform. Videos uploaded before November 17, 2025, will not cause a strike against your channel, but they may be age-restricted or removed if they violate the new rules. You should review your existing content now.
- Check your videos for scenes of realistic, graphic violence.
- Edit any videos to remove or blur these scenes to comply with the new guidelines.
- Remove any links in your video descriptions that point to uncertified gambling websites.
YouTube says it expects these updates will have a minimal impact on most creators. However, if your channel focuses on mature-rated games, it is wise to be prepared and review your content library before the deadline.