YouTube’s 2026 game plan

YouTube is doubling down on creators, families and responsible use of technology as it lays out its priorities for 2026, reinforcing its growing role as a daily digital staple for Filipinos.

In a recent message, Neal Mohan, chief executive officer of YouTube, said the platform will focus on strengthening creator sustainability, improving safety tools for families, and expanding the use of artificial intelligence as a creative aid rather than a replacement for human expression.

YouTube said creators will remain at the center of its strategy in 2026, with continued investments aimed at helping them reach audiences, explore new content formats, and earn more sustainably. The company said giving creators greater flexibility and control over how content is produced and distributed ultimately benefits viewers through more original and meaningful programming.

The platform also plans to roll out improvements designed to make YouTube safer and more manageable for children and teenagers. These include easier account setup for families, smoother switching between profiles, and enhanced parental controls for screen time and content access. YouTube said the goal is to give parents more confidence as young users navigate the digital space.

Artificial intelligence will also play a larger role on the platform next year, though YouTube stressed it will be deployed with safeguards. AI-powered tools are expected to help creators with ideation, editing, and experimentation, while viewers may benefit from features that improve video discovery, comprehension, and cross-language accessibility. The company emphasized that AI is intended to support creativity, not replace it.

Alongside these initiatives, YouTube said it will further strengthen protections to maintain user trust. These include clearer content labels, stricter enforcement of guidelines, and continued efforts to reduce low-quality or misleading content.