If you’re wondering whether YouTube Kids displays ads when your child uses the app, the short answer is yes — it does. In the U.S., YouTube Kids offers a free experience made possible through limited advertising, but there are important details about what kinds of ads you’ll see, how they’re regulated, when you can avoid them, and what you as a parent can control.
In this article you’ll learn how advertising works in YouTube Kids, what’s allowed and what isn’t, how to reduce ad exposure, and whether paying for a subscription removes ads entirely.
How Ads Work in YouTube Kids
When your child opens the YouTube Kids app and selects a video, you may notice a short advertisement or intro before the main content plays. YouTube labels such ads clearly with “Ad” or “Sponsored” to distinguish them from regular content. These are paid advertisements approved by YouTube and intended to be family-friendly.
According to official guidance, YouTube Kids uses “limited advertising” because the free service must be funded somehow. These ads aren’t the same as user-uploaded videos even if they promote products — user-uploaded content is not marked as a paid ad and doesn’t fall under the ad review.
Types of Ads You’ll See
Here’s what you should expect:
- Pre-roll ads: a short ad appears before your child’s selected video plays.
- Non-personalized ads: for children under 13, YouTube restricts personalised targeting; ad delivery is contextual rather than based on user profiling.
- Family-friendly content only: all paid ads shown in YouTube Kids are screened to ensure they meet stricter standards for children’s viewing.
- No mid-roll ads: generally, the experience focuses on ads before content, rather than interrupting the video.
Why Ads Exist on YouTube Kids
Because YouTube offers YouTube Kids as a free app, ads help subsidize the cost of providing access, maintaining servers, moderating content, and delivering video streaming. At the same time, legal constraints (such as the U.S. COPPA – Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) limit how data can be used for ad targeting when children under 13 are involved.
YouTube explicitly states that ads in the Kids app are “paid ads” reviewed for family suitability, and not all video content counts as a paid ad simply because it appears alongside ads or is uploaded by a brand. In other words, some videos may feature toys or characters from companies, but unless they are part of YouTube’s paid ad inventory they won’t carry the “Ad” label.
What You Don’t Get: Targeted Advertising
A key point for U.S. parents: YouTube pledges that for content marked as “made for kids”, they do not show personalized ads based on a child’s profile, age, gender or interests. Instead, ads are contextual — that is, they match what is being viewed rather than who is viewing it.
So while ads still appear, they are less individually targeted than ads on the standard YouTube platform for adults. The aim is to comply with regulations and reduce data-driven profiling of children.
Can You Avoid Ads? Yes — With a Paid Subscription
If you’d prefer no ads for your child on YouTube Kids, you can subscribe to YouTube Premium (or a plan that covers Kids). With Premium, all content on YouTube Kids (and the regular YouTube app) plays without the pre-roll ads that free users see. So if you are using the app with ad-free intent, the paid version gives you that option.
Parental Control Tips to Minimise Advertising Impact
Since ads do appear even in the Kids app, you can take active steps to manage the experience:
- Set up supervised profiles, using the age filters (Preschool, Younger, Older) to limit exposure to inappropriate videos.
- Use the “Approved content only” mode to whitelist channels you trust.
- Watch alongside your child occasionally to monitor how ads appear and discuss what they are.
- Consider subscribing to an ad-free plan if you prefer to eliminate ads entirely.
- Educate your child about what an ad is — even a short pre-roll — so they understand it is different from the content they chose.
Common Questions from Parents
Is every video ad-free?
No. The free version of YouTube Kids includes paid ads before videos. Videos uploaded by users or brands aren’t necessarily labeled as ads, but they may still promote products or brands. It’s the paid ad inventory that is clearly marked.
Are ads always safe for kids?
YouTube imposes stricter ad approval for Kids content, but no system is perfect. As with all digital media, you should monitor your child’s viewing habits and ensure they are in a safe environment.
Will my child’s data be used for targeting ads?
For Kids content, YouTube states that personalized targeting based on age, gender or interests is not used. Ads rely on contextual factors like channel or topic, rather than detailed profiling. This aligns with U.S. regulations.
Does the Premium subscription guarantee zero ads ever?
If you’re subscribed to a plan that covers YouTube Kids, the typical pre-roll ads in the Kids app are removed. However, always ensure you are logged into the account with the subscription, and you are using the Kids app version.
Why the Topic Matters for Parents
You’re entrusting screen time to an app that is marketed as safe for children. Knowing how ads are served and what you can control helps you assess whether the free version meets your standards — or whether a paid plan is worth the cost.
With rising screen time among children, recent studies show that kids are exposed to thousands of ads per year across different media. Ensuring you understand how YouTube Kids handles ads gives you stronger oversight.
Final Thoughts
Yes — YouTube Kids does have ads, but they’re limited, clearly labeled, and designed for a child-friendly environment. You have meaningful control over the experience: you can restrict content, educate your child, or remove ads entirely via a paid subscription.
By staying informed and proactive, you can make sure your child’s viewing time is safer and more aligned with your preferences.