The big picture
In a recent message detailing YouTube’s priorities for 2026, CEO Neal Mohan said the platform is doubling down on creators, strengthening family-friendly experiences, and using artificial intelligence responsibly to support creativity — not replace it.
With these priorities in mind, YouTube is focusing on how it can better support the people who make and enjoy content, while keeping safety, quality, and creativity at the center of the experience.
Creators are redefining entertainment
In 2026, YouTube will continue to invest in helping creators grow sustainably. This means giving them more options to reach audiences, try different formats, and earn from their work.
When creators have more control over how their content is made and shared, viewers benefit from more original and meaningful content.
A better place for kids and teens, with parents in control
YouTube is making it easier for families to set up the right accounts and switch between profiles. Parents will also have better tools to manage screen time and help guide how kids and teens interact with content.
These updates aim to give families more confidence as children explore the digital world.
AI as a creative tool, with guardrails
In 2026, YouTube plans to use AI more visibly to support creativity and understanding. For creators, this includes tools that can help with ideas, editing, and experimentation. For viewers, it means features that make videos easier to understand, discover, and watch across languages.
Throughout this evolution, YouTube, in a press statement, emphasized that AI is meant to augment human creativity, not replace it.
The bottom line
Alongside these changes, the platform is strengthening protections even more to maintain trust. Clear labels, stronger guidelines, and ongoing efforts to reduce low-quality or misleading content are part of making sure YouTube remains a place where people feel comfortable spending their time.
As YouTube looks to 2026, its focus remains on the people who bring the platform to life every day — creators, families, and viewers. After all, the next big voice or breakthrough idea may come from someone just starting their channel today.
By supporting creativity, prioritizing safety, and using technology responsibly, YouTube aims to keep building a space where people can learn, connect, and be inspired in the years to come. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
