As a YouTuber, it’s easy to focus on growth, engagement, and virality

But equally important is knowing what not to do on YouTube

The YouTube Community Guidelines are not just fine print, they are foundational rules that protect creators, audiences, & the entire ecosystem

Violating them can lead to demonetization, content strikes, or even a permanent ban

Here’s a clear checklist every creator should be aware of:

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1) Avoid spam or deceptive tactics. This includes fake giveaways, misleading thumbnails or titles, and repetitive comments

2) Do not impersonate individuals, brands, or public figures. Even parody has boundaries

3) Never upload sexually explicit content or fetish-focused material

4) Do not sexualize or exploit minors. YouTube removes such content immediately.

5) Never promote self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders. YouTube actively removes this type of content

6) Avoid graphic violence or gore unless it is used in educational or documentary context

7) Do not perform or encourage dangerous stunts or pranks that could cause harm

8) Never threaten others or reveal their private data. This includes cyberbullying and doxxing

9) Hate speech is strictly forbidden. Do not target anyone based on race, gender, religion, or any protected identity

10) Avoid chronic harassment or targeting individuals with slurs or ongoing negativity

11) Do not share how-to content that teaches dangerous or illegal activities

12) Never show minors in inappropriate or risky situations, like handling fireworks or drinking alcohol

13) Refrain from promoting or linking to illegal goods such as firearms, drugs, or fake documents

14) Medical misinformation can cause real-world harm. Avoid spreading unverified health claims

15) Do not share content that misleads about elections or discourages people from voting

16) Avoid manipulating engagement metrics. This includes buying views, using bots, or misleading thumbnails

17) Repetitive, low-quality, or copied content may lead to demonetization or channel removal

18) Respect copyright. Use licensed audio, video, or media assets

19) Protect privacy. Do not expose others’ personal details like phone numbers or addresses

20) Never promote or associate with violent extremist groups or criminal organizations

21) Harmful or deceptive links, such as phishing sites or crypto scams, are not allowed

22) Animal cruelty is not entertainment. Do not upload such content, even staged ‘rescues’

23) If content is made for children, label it accurately and follow all kid-focused policies

24) Do not mislead about age-appropriate content or encourage unsupervised usage by minors

25) Never try to bypass enforcement by creating new channels after strikes or bans

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