Gory gameplay in the first 7 seconds or thumbnail
The video may not earn money on YouTube.
Last verified
What triggers it
Graphic game violence (beheadings, dismemberment, focus on severe injuries) in the first seven seconds or in the thumbnail; or gameplay of sexual violence, torture, violence against minors or real named people, or aggregating non-playable characters for mass killings.
What YouTube says
“Content featuring graphic gaming content in the first seven seconds will continue to be ineligible for ad revenue.”
We last checked this against YouTube's page on .
How to fix it
Open with a non-gory 7-second intro and keep gore out of the thumbnail.
Good to know
Graphic gameplay from 8 to 15 seconds is fine since Sept 2026. A thumbnail with graphic game violence can cost ads on its own (the guidelines list it under both limited and no ads).
Can FYProof spot it?
A full check of your video looks for it in what's shown. What a check finds is an estimate, not a guarantee.
- Video: looked at for this rule
- Speech: not for this rule
- On-screen text: not for this rule
- Caption: not for this rule
- Hashtags: not for this rule
Related YouTube rules
Platforms change their rules often. This page sums up what YouTube publishes; it isn't legal advice.