How Do I Report a Video on YouTube?
YouTube has a system in place to report videos that may violate Community Guidelines. According to the platform, videos are reviewed by a combination of human staff members and artificial intelligence. Reporting videos is easy, and you can complete the process through a desktop or mobile device. You can contact YouTube if you have questions about video content rules.
YouTube has specific content rules to manage what kinds of videos are uploaded. The platform's Community Guidelines include rules against scams or deceptive content, videos that harm children, some violent content and more.
If you find a video featuring inappropriate content, YouTube offers a reporting system to have the video reviewed and potentially removed. According to YouTube, a combination of human reviewers and artificial intelligence is in charge of enforcing Community Guidelines when a video is reported.
You can report YouTube videos from a desktop or mobile device. Here's how to get started.
Reporting Videos on a Desktop Device
Each YouTube video has a Report button built into the tab. Find the video you want to report, then look below it for the like and dislike buttons. Click on the "..." icon to the right of those buttons, then click Report.
- YouTube will ask you to identify why the video is inappropriate.
- Some options include drop-down menus for more specific reporting. Choose the best description of the inappropriate content.
- Next, YouTube will ask you to add a timestamp. This tells the reviewer which section of the video to review.
- You can write more details in the additional details box, or click Report to submit the complaint.
YouTube says staff members review flagged videos 24/7 to determine if they violate Community Guidelines. If the video is in violation, YouTube will take appropriate action — which could include terminating the poster's YouTube account.
Reporting Videos on a Mobile Device
To report from a mobile device, open the YouTube app or go to the website in your browser. Open the video you're reporting, then look for the report button in the video tab.
On the mobile site, you'll see a report button and a flag icon near the like and dislike buttons. In the app, tap the settings icon at the top of the video to open the report option.
- Select the reason for reporting.
- If you're not sure which option to select, contact YouTube to learn more about the platform's Community Guidelines.
- Tap Report after selecting which rule was violated.
YouTube doesn't always remove objectionable content. Some videos that may not be appropriate for children are age-restricted while others are permitted if they are considered artistic or fall under YouTube documentary standards. You should speak with a YouTube representative if you have questions about what content is permitted.
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