YouTube uses your birthdate to set content restrictions and show age-appropriate ads

YouTube stores your birthdate in your Google Account and uses it to decide which videos you can watch and what ads you see. If your birthdate is wrong—whether you entered it incorrectly when you created your account, or you straightforward want to update it—you can change it through your Google Account settings. The process takes about two minutes and applies across all Google services that use your account, not just YouTube.

Your age also determines whether YouTube enforces its rules about restricted content. Videos marked as age-restricted won't play for accounts with birthdates showing the user is under 18, even if you're actually older. Updating an incorrect birthdate can restore access to videos you should be able to watch.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your age by updating your birthdate in your Google Account settings, not in YouTube itself.
  • The change takes effect when ready across YouTube and all other Google services tied to your account.
  • You can only change your birthdate once per year, so make sure the date you enter is correct.
  • If you created your account as a minor and are now an adult, updating your birthdate will restore access to age-restricted content.

How to find your birthdate settings in Google Account

Start by going to myaccount.google.com in your web browser. Sign in with the Google Account connected to your YouTube channel if you aren't already signed in. On the left side of the page, you'll see a menu with several options. Click on Personal info.

On the Personal info page, look for the section labeled Basic info. Your birthdate appears here along with your name, email, and phone number. If you don't see a birthdate listed, it means you never entered one when you created your account—you can add one now by clicking the pencil icon next to "Birthday."

The steps to change your birthdate

Click the pencil icon next to your current birthdate. A box will open showing your birth month, day, and year as separate fields. Edit each field to reflect your correct birthdate. YouTube requires you to enter a real date—you cannot leave any field blank.

After you've entered the correct date, click Save. Google will ask you to confirm your password for security reasons. Type your password and click Next. Your birthdate is now updated. The change takes effect when ready on YouTube and everywhere else your Google Account is used.

What happens if you've already changed your birthdate this year

Google limits birthdate changes to once per calendar year for security reasons. If you've already changed your birthdate in 2024 (or whenever the current year is), you won't be able to change it again until January 1 of the following year. This rule exists to prevent account takeover—if someone gains access to your account, they can't repeatedly change your age to bypass parental controls or content restrictions.

If you made a mistake and changed your birthdate to the wrong date, you'll have to wait until the next calendar year to correct it. There is no way around this limit, even if you contact YouTube support. Plan your change carefully and double-check the date before you save it.

Why YouTube needs your real birthdate

YouTube uses your age to enforce its policies about age-restricted content. Videos with graphic violence, sexual content, or other mature material are marked as age-restricted. If your account shows you're under 18, these videos won't play, even if you're actually older. Updating your birthdate to your real age removes this restriction.

Your age also affects the ads you see. YouTube shows different advertisements to different age groups based on what advertisers are willing to pay for. Younger accounts see ads for toys, games, and educational content. Older accounts see ads for cars, financial services, and other products aimed at adults. Your actual age doesn't change what you can do on YouTube—only your account's recorded age does.

Changing your age on the YouTube app versus the website

You cannot change your birthdate directly in the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. You must go through your Google Account settings on a web browser. Open a browser, go to myaccount.google.com, and follow the steps above. The YouTube app will sync your updated birthdate automatically within a few minutes.

If you're using a computer, you can make the change in any web browser—Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge all work the same way. The process is identical whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

What to do if you don't remember your birthdate or can't access your account

If you've forgotten your birthdate and need to update it, you'll need to verify your identity to Google. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info, and click the pencil icon next to your birthdate. If you can't remember the date, Google may ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your recovery email or phone number. Follow the prompts to confirm who you are, and then you can enter your correct birthdate.

If you can't sign into your Google Account at all, you'll need to recover your account first. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow Google's account recovery process. This usually involves confirming your identity through a recovery email or phone number. Once you've regained access to your account, you can update your birthdate using the steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my age on YouTube affect my other Google services?

Yes. Your birthdate is stored in your Google Account, not in YouTube alone. Changing it will affect your age across Gmail, Google Play, Google Photos, and any other Google service connected to your account. This is usually not a problem, but be aware that the change is not limited to YouTube.

Can I change my birthdate more than once a year?

No. Google allows only one birthdate change per calendar year. If you need to change it again before January 1, you'll have to wait. Plan your change carefully and verify the date is correct before you save it.

What if I entered a fake birthdate when I created my account?

You can update it to your real birthdate using the steps above. If you entered a birthdate that made you appear older than you actually are, changing it will restore age restrictions on your account. If you entered a birthdate that made you appear younger, changing it will remove restrictions on age-restricted videos.

Does YouTube verify that the birthdate I enter is actually mine?

YouTube does not verify your birthdate against government records or any other source. It trusts the date you enter. However, if you're under 18 and your account shows you're under 13, YouTube enforces stricter rules under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Lying about your age to bypass these rules violates YouTube's terms of service.

How long does it take for my age change to show up on YouTube?

The change takes effect when ready. You should see the update reflected on YouTube within a few minutes. If you're still seeing age-restricted videos blocked, try signing out and signing back in, or clearing your browser cache.