YouTube updates Restricted Mode to include LGBTQ content

YouTube has taken advantage of Pride Month to update its Restricted Mode policies that back in March saw innocent LGBTQ content blocked.

The company acknowledged that this mode, intended for schools and libraries, was unfairly targeting videos featuring the likes of same-sex kisses at weddings or “personal accounts of difficult events”.

ALL 3 OF MY RECENT VIDEOS (ABOUT ME BEING TRANS) ARE GONE AFTER YOU TURN ON HE AGE RESTRICTION FILTER I’M SO UPSET. 😡 https://t.co/IpVnL7zfph

— Seaine (@SeaineLove) March 17, 2017

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki asserts that she has personally spoken to teens and creators alike on the importance of sharing this content, and that she understands the need to rectify the mistake.

YouTube also acknowledged the concern that LGBTQ content was losing ad revenue

The guidelines for Restricted Mode have now been broadened, and should ensure that non-graphic LGBTQ content be available. The updated policies will take a while to work smoothly, Wojcicki says, but YouTube will also offer content in Creator Academy that will detail how to make videos that won’t get blocked.

The company also acknowledged the concern that LGBTQ content was losing ad revenue. This was due to the fact that many advertisers were restricting where their ads were placed on YouTube after The Wall Street Journal revealed ads endorsing racist content.

Wojcicki asserts that the timing was merely unfortunate and that YouTube was not trying to restrict its LGBTQ creators.

To prove this, the company is launching its fifth annual #ProudtoBe campaign — and will also be introducing a “permanent shelf” on its US Spotlight channel to showcase LGBTQ videos weekly.

The company is also investing in The Trevor Project’s channel, a US non-profit that provides crisis- and suicide- prevention to young at-risk youth.

YouTube will also be hosting six Creator Roundtables with select creators around the world to discuss how it can improve its products and programs.