Quick answer
Ads on your videos without monetizing? YouTube may place them on non-partner channels, or a rights holder may have claimed content in your video. To earn from ads, join the YouTube Partner Program. Bad ad? Tap More or Info on the ad > Report ad. Don’t want to see it again? More or Info > Block ad (needs ad customization on in My Ad Center). No ads at all: YouTube points to paid memberships such as Premium.
Does this match what you see?
- Ads play on your videos, but you never turned on monetization.
- An ad looks inappropriate, misleading or like a scam.
- The same ad keeps showing up.
Computer (browser)iPhone & iPadAndroid
Based on four YouTube Help pages about ads, read at the site owner’s request on November 6, 2026.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Why ads show up on videos that aren’t monetized.
| Reason | Do you earn? |
|---|---|
| YouTube places ads on channels not in the Partner Program | No. Join YPP to share ad revenue |
| A rights holder claimed content in your video and chose to run ads | No; the rights holder does |
- YouTube’s TermsCheck this first
YouTube says it may place ads on videos in channels that aren’t in the YouTube Partner Program.
- Content you don’t ownPossible
YouTube says if your video includes content you don’t have all the rights to, the rights holder may choose to place ads on it.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Check YouTube Studio for copyright claims on the video.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Report an inappropriate ad
YouTube says its team reviews ad reports and takes action if warranted.
- While the ad is playing, select More or Info (at the bottom of the ad).
- Choose Report ad and follow the steps.
- Missed it? YouTube says you can also report through Google’s ad report form.
YouTube says reporting from the ad works on YouTube mobile and on a computer. Some ads promote restricted content that Google’s ad policies still allow. Our tip: if an ad looks like a scam, don’t click its links, and never enter passwords or payment details on a page it opens.
Did it work? You see a confirmation that your report was sent.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Stop seeing a specific ad
YouTube lets you block an ad without reporting it.
- On the ad, select More or Info.
- Choose Block ad.
YouTube says Block ad only appears if you’ve chosen to customize your ads in My Ad Center.
Did it work? That ad stops showing for you.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Ads on your videos when you’re not a partner
YouTube says ads may appear on your uploads even if you didn’t monetize them, because it may place ads on channels outside the Partner Program, or because a rights holder chose to put ads on a video that uses their content. YouTube’s page doesn’t describe a way to turn these ads off. To earn a share of ad revenue, you need to join the Partner Program; see YouTube monetization problems.
Why you see the ads you do, and seeing fewer
YouTube says ads are tailored using your Google ad settings, what you’ve watched, and whether you’re signed in. Signed in, signals can include the types of videos you watch, apps and websites, device identifiers, past ad interactions, location, age range and gender. Ads based on the video you’re watching appear whether or not you’re signed in.
- Change what you see in your Google Account ad settings (My Ad Center).
- View, delete or pause your watch history. See YouTube watch history.
- For no ads, YouTube points to paid memberships such as Premium. See YouTube Premium.
Creators: turn off personalized ads on your channel
- Sign in to YouTube Studio and click Settings > Channel > Advanced settings.
- Scroll to Advertisements and check Disable interest-based ads.
YouTube says this stops interest-based and remarketing ads on your videos, but non-personalized ads keep showing, earned action reports and remarketing lists stop working, and it may significantly reduce your revenue. Content set as made for kids already has personalized ads off.
How to know it worked
- You know why ads appear, and you’ve reported or blocked the ones you don’t want.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Your own video used in an ad? YouTube says contact Creator Support: see contact YouTube support.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
- YouTube Help: why ads appear on videos when you’re not a partnerYouTube Help (external site, opens in a new tab)
- YouTube Help: report policy-violative adsYouTube Help (external site, opens in a new tab)
- YouTube Help: ads on videos you watchYouTube Help (external site, opens in a new tab)
- YouTube Help: turn off personalized adsYouTube Help (external site, opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Why are there ads on my YouTube videos if I’m not monetized?
YouTube says it may place ads on channels outside the Partner Program, or a rights holder may have placed ads on content they own in your video.
Do I get paid for ads on my videos if I’m not a partner?
No. YouTube says revenue sharing is for creators in the YouTube Partner Program.
How do I report an ad on YouTube?
Select More or Info on the ad, then Report ad. YouTube says this works on mobile and computer.
Why can’t I find Block ad?
YouTube says it only appears if you’ve chosen to customize your ads in My Ad Center.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- I’m not a YouTube partner, so why am I seeing ads on my videos? (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Report policy-violative ads (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Ads on videos you watch (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Turn off personalized ads (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 6 November 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 6 May 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 6 November 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google or YouTube. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.