Where YouTube stores your age information
YouTube doesn't ask you to enter your birth date when you create an account — it asks for it when you sign up for a Google account, which YouTube uses to identify you. That information lives in your Google Account settings, not in YouTube itself. When you watch a video, YouTube checks your Google Account age to decide which videos you can see and which ads appear next to your content.
The age Google has on file is what determines whether you see age-restricted videos, whether YouTube shows you certain types of ads, and whether you can upload videos longer than 15 minutes. If the age is wrong, YouTube's restrictions won't match what you actually are.
Key Takeaways
- Your age on YouTube comes from your Google Account, not from YouTube itself, so you check it in Google Account settings.
- You can see what age Google thinks you are by opening your Google Account, going to Personal Info, and looking at your birth date.
- If the birth date is wrong, you can change it yourself, but Google limits how often you can change it — usually once per year.
- YouTube uses this age to decide which videos you can watch, which ads you see, and whether you can upload long videos.
How to check your birth date in Google Account settings
Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with the Google account you use for YouTube. On the left side of the page, click Personal info. You will see a section labeled Basic info with your name, email, and birth date. Your birth date is what YouTube uses as your age.
If you are on a phone or tablet, the layout is slightly different but the information is in the same place. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left, then scroll down and tap Personal info. The birth date field will be visible in the Basic info section.
What to do if the birth date is wrong
If the birth date Google has is not correct, you can change it. In the Personal info section, click or tap on the birth date field. A box will open where you can enter the correct month, day, and year. Type in the right information and click Save.
Google limits how often you can change your birth date — most accounts can change it once per year. If you have already changed it recently, you will see a message saying you cannot change it again until a certain date. If the birth date is significantly wrong (for example, you entered it incorrectly when you created your account years ago), you may be able to contact Google support to request an exception, but this is not may provide.
Why YouTube cares about your age
YouTube uses your age to enforce its own rules and to follow laws about advertising to minors. Videos marked as age-restricted (usually because they contain violence, strong language, or mature themes) will not play for accounts under 18. YouTube also changes which ads it shows based on age — ads for alcohol, gambling, or financial products are not shown to accounts under 18, for example.
If you are under 13, YouTube has additional restrictions. Accounts for users under 13 are supposed to be created through YouTube Kids or with parental supervision, and they have fewer features available. If Google thinks you are under 13 but you are actually older, you may not be able to do things like upload videos or create a channel.
How age affects what you can watch and upload
If your account is marked as under 18, you cannot watch videos that YouTube has flagged as age-restricted. The video page will show a message saying the video is not available, and you will not be able to play it. You also cannot upload videos longer than 15 minutes — accounts marked as 18 or older can upload videos up to 12 hours long.
Comments and likes on age-restricted videos are turned off, so even if you could watch them, you would not be able to interact with other viewers. These restrictions are automatic based on the birth date in your Google Account, so changing that date will when ready change what you can see and do on YouTube.
What happens if you do not have a birth date on file
Some older Google accounts were created before birth date was required, so they may not have a birth date at all. If your account has no birth date, YouTube treats it as if the account holder is over 18 for the purposes of showing age-restricted videos and allowing long uploads. However, you will not see ads targeted to any specific age group.
If you want to add a birth date to an account that does not have one, you can do the same thing: go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info, and click on the birth date field to enter one. Once you add a birth date, YouTube's age restrictions will take effect when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my birth date more than once a year?
Most Google accounts allow one birth date change per year. If you have already changed it recently, you will need to wait until the anniversary of that change to modify it again. Contact Google support if you believe your situation is an exception.
Will changing my birth date affect other Google services?
Your birth date is shared across all Google services that use your account, including Gmail, Google Play, and Google Photos. Changing it will update your age information everywhere, not just on YouTube.
What if I am under 18 and want to watch an age-restricted video?
YouTube does not allow accounts under 18 to watch age-restricted videos, and there is no way around this restriction within the app or website. The restriction is based on your birth date in Google Account settings.
Does YouTube know my real age if I lied when I created my account?
YouTube only knows the birth date you entered in your Google Account. If you entered a false birth date, YouTube has no way to verify it. However, if you want YouTube's features to match your actual age, you should update your birth date to the correct one.