YouTube lets you change the "Made for Kids" label on your videos through your channel settings, but the process differs depending on whether you uploaded the video before or after YouTube's 2020 policy change

If you marked a video as made for kids when you uploaded it, you can change that setting in your video details. YouTube stores this information in two places: in the video's basic info (title, description, tags) and in the advanced settings where you chose the original "made for kids" option. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few hours for YouTube's systems to fully update how the video appears and what features are available.

If you did not mark the video as made for kids originally, you can add that label the same way. This matters because YouTube restricts certain features—like comments, notifications, and personalized ads—on videos marked for children under 13, so the label affects both what viewers can do and how you earn money from the video.

Key Takeaways

  • You change the "Made for Kids" setting by opening the video in YouTube Studio, clicking Details, and toggling the option in the Advanced Settings section.
  • The change applies when ready to how YouTube treats the video, though the interface may take a few hours to fully reflect the update.
  • Removing the "Made for Kids" label restores comments, notifications, and personalized ads, but only if the video actually is not directed at children.
  • YouTube can override your choice if it detects the video is made for kids even if you did not mark it that way, so the label should match what the video actually is.

How to access the "Made for Kids" setting in YouTube Studio

Open YouTube Studio on a desktop or laptop (the mobile app does not have this option). Click the Videos tab on the left side, then find the video you want to change and click it. The video details page opens. Click the Details tab if it is not already selected, then scroll down to the Advanced Settings section at the bottom of the page.

In Advanced Settings, you will see a checkbox labeled "Made for Kids." If the box is checked, the video is currently marked as made for kids. If it is empty, the video is not marked that way. Click the box to toggle it on or off, then scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save.

What happens when you change the setting

If you remove the "Made for Kids" label, YouTube when ready turns on features that were disabled: viewers can leave comments, the video can send notifications to subscribers, and YouTube can show personalized ads based on viewer data. You will also see the video's earnings potential increase, because advertisers pay more for videos that can use personalized targeting.

If you add the "Made for Kids" label, YouTube disables those features. Comments turn off, notifications stop working, and only general ads (not personalized ones) can run. This also reduces earnings because advertisers have fewer targeting options. The change takes effect right away, though YouTube's systems may take a few hours to fully process it—you might still see comments briefly before they disappear.

When YouTube overrides your choice

YouTube's systems scan videos for content that appeals to children—bright colors, animated characters, nursery rhymes, toy reviews, educational content for young kids—and can automatically flag a video as made for kids even if you did not mark it that way. If this happens, you will see a notice in YouTube Studio saying YouTube has determined the video is made for kids.

You can dispute this decision by clicking "Appeal" next to the notice. YouTube will review your appeal, but the video remains marked as made for kids during the review. If you believe the video is not actually directed at children, explain that in your appeal—for example, if it is a toy review aimed at adult collectors, or an educational video for teenagers, describe the actual audience.

Why the label matters for your channel

The "Made for Kids" label is not just a content description—it is a legal requirement under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If you upload videos that are actually made for kids but do not mark them that way, YouTube can fine your channel or suspend it. YouTube takes this seriously because the FTC enforces COPPA and has fined YouTube itself in the past for not properly protecting children's data.

This means you should mark a video as made for kids if it is genuinely directed at children under 13, even if it means losing personalized ads and comments. If your video is not directed at children—even if children watch it—you should not mark it as made for kids. The label should match the actual intended audience, not who happens to view it.

Changing the setting on videos you uploaded years ago

If you uploaded videos before 2020, they may not have a "Made for Kids" label at all. YouTube did not require the label until 2020, so older videos defaulted to "not made for kids." You can go back and add the label to any video that should have it. Open the video in YouTube Studio, go to Details, scroll to Advanced Settings, and check the "Made for Kids" box.

This is worth doing if you have a library of children's content, because it brings your channel into compliance with COPPA and prevents YouTube from flagging videos later. It also prevents the FTC from viewing unmarked children's videos as a violation. If you have hundreds of videos, you can change multiple videos at once by using YouTube Studio's bulk editing feature: select multiple videos, click Edit, and toggle the "Made for Kids" setting for all of them together.

Troubleshooting if the setting will not save

If you click Save and the setting does not change, try refreshing the page. Sometimes YouTube Studio does not register the change on the first attempt. If it still does not work, clear your browser cache and try again in a different browser, because cached data can interfere with YouTube's interface.

If you see an error message, check that you own the video and that your account has permission to edit it. If the video is in a brand account (a business account separate from your personal account), you must be logged into the brand account to edit it. If you still cannot change the setting after trying these steps, contact YouTube Support through the Help Center in YouTube Studio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the "Made for Kids" setting after the video has been up for months?

Yes. You can change the setting at any time, and it takes effect when ready. However, if the video has been marked as made for kids for a long time, it may take a few hours for YouTube to fully restore comments and personalized ads after you remove the label.

What if I mark a video as made for kids but YouTube says it is not?

YouTube's automated systems scan videos and sometimes disagree with your choice. If YouTube says the video is not made for kids but you believe it is, you can appeal the decision in YouTube Studio. Explain why the video is directed at children under 13, and YouTube will review it.

Do I lose money if I mark a video as made for kids?

Yes. Videos marked as made for kids cannot use personalized ads, which pay less than targeted ads. You also lose revenue from notifications and some other features. If the video is genuinely made for kids, you must mark it for legal reasons, but the earnings will be lower.

Can viewers still watch a video marked as made for kids?

Yes. Marking a video as made for kids does not hide it or restrict who can watch it. It only changes what features are available—comments turn off, notifications do not work, and only general ads run. The video is still public and searchable.

What counts as "made for kids"?

Content directed at children under 13, including cartoons, nursery rhymes, toy reviews for kids, educational videos for young children, and children's music. Content aimed at teenagers or adults does not count as made for kids, even if some children watch it.