Changing the "Made for Kids" setting on your YouTube videos allows you to accurately classify your content, ensuring appropriate audience features and compliance. You can easily adjust this setting for individual videos through the YouTube app or YouTube Studio on a desktop.
What Does "Made for Kids" Mean?
Content designated as "Made for Kids" is specifically created for children. This classification triggers certain restrictions and features to comply with regulations like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). When a video is marked "Made for Kids," features such as personalized ads, comments, notifications, and the ability to save to a playlist might be disabled to protect children's privacy.
Changing the Audience Setting on the YouTube Mobile App
If you've previously marked a video as "Made for Kids" and wish to change it, or vice versa, follow these steps using the YouTube mobile app:
- Open the YouTube app: Launch the YouTube application on your mobile device.
- Access your profile: Tap your profile picture (usually located in the top right corner).
- Go to Your Videos: From the menu, tap Your videos. This will display a list of all the videos you have uploaded.
- Select the video to edit: Locate the video you want to modify. Next to the video title, tap the More icon (three vertical dots), then tap Edit.
- Adjust the audience setting: Scroll down to find the Audience option and tap it.
- Select Yes, it's made for kids if the content is primarily for children.
- Select No, it's not made for kids if the content is intended for a general audience or adults.
- Save your changes: Tap Save to apply the new audience setting to your video.
Changing the Audience Setting on YouTube Studio (Desktop)
For creators who prefer managing their content via a computer, you can also change the "Made for Kids" setting through YouTube Studio:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio: Go to studio.youtube.com and sign in with your YouTube account.
- Navigate to Content: In the left-hand menu, click Content. This will show a list of all your uploaded videos.
- Edit video details: Hover over the video you wish to edit and click the Details icon (a pencil).
- Set audience: Scroll down to the "Audience" section.
- Select "Yes, it's Made for Kids" or "No, it's not Made for Kids."
- You may also see an option to choose your audience by channel if you want this setting to apply to all future uploads.
- Save changes: Click SAVE in the top right corner to confirm your selection.
Understanding the Impact of Audience Settings
The choice between "Made for Kids" and "Not Made for Kids" has significant implications for your video and channel.
Features Affected by "Made for Kids" Designation:
| Feature | "Made for Kids" | "Not Made for Kids" |
|---|---|---|
| Personalized Ads | Disabled | Enabled |
| Comments | Disabled | Enabled |
| Notifications | Disabled | Enabled |
| Playlists | Limited | Enabled |
| Info Cards & End Screens | Disabled | Enabled |
| Channel Branding Watermark | Disabled | Enabled |
| Super Chat & Super Stickers | Disabled | Enabled |
| Live Chat | Disabled | Enabled |
Why is Accurate Classification Important?
Accurately classifying your content is crucial for several reasons:
- Legal Compliance: It helps you comply with laws like COPPA, which has strict rules regarding collecting data from children. Misclassification can lead to penalties.
- Viewer Experience: Ensures that videos are shown with appropriate features for the intended audience.
- Monetization: Videos marked "Made for Kids" have limited or no personalized ads, which can affect ad revenue.
- Channel Health: Consistently mislabeling content can lead to strikes or removal from the platform.
Always review your content carefully and determine if its primary appeal is to children before making your selection. If you are unsure, it's best to consult YouTube's official guidelines on audience settings.
