As one of the world's largest platforms of video advertisements on the Web, YouTube has strict guidelines for what kinds of advertising content can be shown on the website. The guidelines restrict the types of products that can be advertised, prohibit scams and phishing for personal information, prohibit many kinds of solicitations of funds, and even limits the kinds of advertising of alcohol products. In addition, all advertisements must follow YouTube's Community Guidelines, a set of rules requiring responsible behavior of YouTube users.
Background
YouTube is a major resource for advertisers selling products and services. According to a February 2010 study by TubeMogul, a Web video tracking service, 44 percent of the most popular videos on YouTube were professionally made, or were selling products by companies involved in YouTube's partner program. By comparison, just 17 percent of the top 100 videos were user-generated, according to the study.
Homepage Advertisements
YouTube restricts the types of advertisements that can be displayed on YouTube's homepage. All homepage ads must be appropriate for YouTube's general audience of age 13 or older. In most cases, advertisements promoting adult content, such as pornography, partial or full nudity, sexual acts, underwear or lingerie, suggestive poses, and adult toys or products, are prohibited. In addition, YouTube prohibits advertisements showing excessive violence, profanity or sexual lewdness, use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and ads exploiting or inflaming political or religious issues, are also banned from YouTube's homepage.
Prohibited Products
More than 20 categories of products are prohibited from being advertised on YouTube. Many of these include likely illegal activities such as prostitution, falsified documents, copyrighted works, counterfeit designer goods, hacking and cracking websites, and automated ad clicking. Other prohibited items include drugs and drug paraphernalia, bulk marketing, anabolic steroids, academic aids, and "miracle cures."
Online Gambling
Ads promoting online gambling, such as those providing tips, odds and handicapping, are prohibited from YouTube in the U.S. Online gambling ads are allowed in licensed entities, including England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France and Spain.
Branding
All ads posted on YouTube must be branded with the name or logo of the advertiser, including brand channels, along with display, text or video ads. An example of this policy includes the promotion of prescription drugs. YouTube requires pharmaceutical ads to be branded with the name or logo of the drug maker, and the ad cannot include links to websites that sell pharmaceuticals online.
Personal Information
YouTube's advertising policies strictly prohibit activities that can be used in connection with scams or "phishing." YouTube prohibits advertising from websites that collect personal information -- such as email addresses, user names or passwords -- using false forms or making false claims, or those using unauthorized trademarks.
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