How would you prevent YouTube videos with explicit language from being monetized?

My decision process would focus on balancing advertiser comfort, user experience, and creator revenue.

1. Define 'Explicit Language': First, I'd establish clear, objective criteria for what constitutes 'explicit language' that would trigger de-monetization. This would likely involve a combination of automated detection (keyword lists, AI analysis of audio/transcripts) and human review for nuance and context. The goal is to be comprehensive yet avoid overreach.

2. Impact Assessment: I'd analyze the potential impact on creators, particularly those in genres like comedy, commentary, or certain educational content where explicit language might be used for emphasis or authenticity. This includes understanding the scale of affected content and the potential revenue loss for creators.

3. Advertiser Confidence: The primary driver for this policy is advertiser safety. I'd assess how de-monetizing explicit content would improve advertiser confidence and potentially increase ad spend on the platform overall. This involves understanding advertiser brand safety requirements.

4. User Experience: While the videos remain, de-monetization might indirectly affect discoverability or promotion. I'd consider if this aligns with YouTube's broader goals for content quality and user engagement.

5. Policy Rollout & Communication: A phased rollout with clear communication to creators about the new policy, the definition of explicit language, and the appeals process would be crucial. Providing resources and guidance to creators on how to adapt their content would also be important.

6. Monitoring & Iteration: Post-launch, I'd closely monitor key metrics: creator feedback, advertiser sentiment, the accuracy of detection systems, and the overall impact on YouTube's ecosystem. The policy would need to be iterative, allowing for adjustments based on real-world performance and feedback.