YouTube has modified its internal content moderation policies, allowing certain videos that previously would have been removed to remain accessible if they serve the public interest.
According to a news agency, this shift, implemented in December 2023, represents a strategic change in the platform’s approach to balancing the prevention of harm with safeguarding free speech—especially concerning sensitive and polarizing topics.
The most notable update is the increase in the content violation threshold. Previously, content reviewers were instructed to take down videos if 25% of the material breached YouTube’s policies.
Under the new directive, removal only occurs if more than 50% of the video violates platform rules. This change significantly affects content focusing on complex topics such as:
Elections
Identity and gender
Race and immigration
Social and political ideologies
YouTube reviewers must now evaluate whether a video’s potential value in promoting free speech outweighs possible risks. If there is ambiguity, they are advised not to immediately delete the content.
Instead, such videos will be escalated for deeper evaluation under YouTube’s EDSA framework—which includes Education, Documentary, Science, and Art.
"YouTube’s Community Guidelines are regularly reviewed and adjusted to reflect the evolving nature of the platform," Nicole Bell, a YouTube spokesperson, told The Verge. She clarified that this update pertains to a limited scope of content and is intended to prevent "overly broad enforcement."
As an example, she cited the scenario where "a lengthy news podcast" should not be removed "over a brief clip that might otherwise violate the rules."
This update builds on YouTube’s prior decision to allow content from political candidates—even those that stretch moderation boundaries—to remain online if it supports civic understanding. This policy adjustment is particularly significant in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. elections.
In a broader industry context, YouTube’s move follows similar shifts by major platforms. Meta, for example, has relaxed its stance on misinformation and hate speech by discontinuing its third-party fact-checking program. Instead, it now favors user-led corrections—a model akin to what is employed by X (formerly Twitter).
Previously, YouTube adopted a more aggressive approach, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and Donald Trump’s presidency, swiftly removing misinformation related to vaccines and election results.
YouTube’s decision in late 2023 to revise its moderation policies continues to shape the platform’s approach to governance in 2025, as it balances content safety with the preservation of public interest. By raising the threshold for removal from 25% to 50% and empowering moderators to escalate nuanced content through the EDSA (Education, Documentary, Science, Art) framework, YouTube is signaling a commitment to thoughtful oversight rather than blanket takedowns.
As global discourse grows more complex—with debates about elections, social justice, and identity intensifying—this shift represents a strategic pivot. YouTube’s responsiveness in updating its policies reflects its growing sophistication in content moderation. In doing so, it curtails the spread of misinformation while avoiding excessive censorship of valuable public dialogue.
Content creators and reviewers must now stay vigilant as the platform refines its internal guidelines and expands transparency measures—including clearer content appeals. This ongoing evolution underscores YouTube’s role in setting moderation standards in the digital age.