YouTube Blocks Advertising Revenue From RT and Russian State Media
YouTube suspends monetization for Kremlin-backed outlets like RT as Western sanctions target Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. The platform also blocks these organizations from purchasing ads across all Google properties.
YouTube blocks Kremlin-controlled media outlets, including Russia Today (RT), from earning advertising revenue on their channels. This decision comes as Western powers enact broad economic sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
The video platform confirms that it pauses the ability for several Russian channels to monetize their content. A YouTube spokesperson notes that it takes time for these changes to fully take effect, meaning some users may still see ads on these channels temporarily.
In addition to halting ad revenue on YouTube, Google prevents Russian media organizations from buying advertisements on its other properties. This sweeping advertising ban covers Google Search, YouTube, and Gmail as the tech giant continues to monitor the evolving conflict.