Impersonation policy

If you see content that violates this policy, report it.

• If you feel that yours or another creator's channel is being impersonated, you can report the channel.
• If you find your personal information, a video featuring you, or AI-generated content mimicking your likeness or voice without your consent, you can file a request for removal under our privacy guidelines.

We will consider a variety of factors when evaluating removal requests. These factors include whether the material is parody or satire, or whether it features public officials or well-known individuals.

What these policies mean for you

If you're posting content

Don’t post content on YouTube if it fits any of the descriptions noted below:

• Using workarounds like typos, special fonts, or extra punctuation to trick viewers into thinking you are a different creator or entity.
• Impersonating an existing creator, entity, or channel by copying their profile pictures, banners, or specific color schemes. The channel does not have to be 100% identical, as long as the intent is clear to copy the other channel.
• Using someone's AI-generated likeness or voice to falsely imply they own or authorize your channel’s content.

If you operate a fan channel, make sure you state so explicitly in your channel name or handle. It should be obvious to your viewers that your channel doesn't represent the original creator, artist, or entity.

Examples

Here are some examples of content that is not allowed on YouTube:

• Putting “Real” or “Official” into your channel name to pretend you are the authentic version of another person’s channel.
• Pretending to be a backup channel by adding words like "Backup," "Shorts," or "Live" to a creator’s name.
• Using AI to make it look like a famous person is willfully participating in your video or endorsing a product
• Misrepresenting an individual by using an AI version of their voice and false metadata to pass off a fake speech as real.
• Posting comments that make people falsely think you are another person or entity.
• Copying someone else’s videos and reposting them as your own without changing anything or adding significant original commentary.
• Using a channel name or handle that is phonetically identical or visually similar to an established entity. This includes the use of deceptive misspellings.

Remember these are just some examples, and don't post content if you think it might violate this policy.

What happens if content violates this policy

If we determine that a channel was established to impersonate another person or entity, the channel may be removed to protect our community.