YouTube controversially updates advertiser-friendly guidelines for taboo subjects 

Not too long after rolling out changes in the way creators control ads on YouTube, the platform announced today that it is updating its Advertiser-friendly content guidelines to allow creators to earn more ad revenue on content discussing controversial and taboo topics — like abortion and adult sexual abuse.

Speaking in an updated blog entry, the video-sharing platform said that videos covering these topics can be a helpful resource to users, and it wants to ensure that creators are not disincentivized from discussing them.

The new guidelines will allow creators to fully monetize content that discusses abortion and adult sexual abuse without “going into graphic detail.”

YouTube understands that some creators feel like they are more likely to have their videos demonetized (indicated by yellow icons) because they upload content about important social issues.

Monetization rules for eating disorder content have also been updated. This means that videos that focus on eating disorders and promote harmful behaviors, such as bingeing, purging, and laxative abuse, will still not be eligible for ads — but it doesn’t impact educational or documentary content.

“This change will ensure such content isn’t incentivized with ads and that our monetization and community guidelines continue to be in sync,” the company says in the statement.