Can you pass on your YouTube account when you die?
Google reviews requests about a YouTube account after a death case by case. While alive, the account holder can use authorized users and transferring the account.
Protecting YouTube accounts while the account is active
Beneficiary designation available, lifetime transfer options for accounts, and 7-step plan.
How to protect your YouTube account while you are alive →Someone died. Handling YouTube accounts after a death
Transfer is handled on a case-by-case basis, 6-step process, and 5 required documents.
What happens to a YouTube account when someone dies →YouTube is Google's video platform. Channels are tied to Google Accounts and can earn revenue through the YouTube Partner Program (AdSense), channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Thanks and sponsorships.
Google decides what happens to a YouTube account after a death case by case; its terms promise no transfer. While the account holder is alive, Google allows authorized users and transferring the account.
What happens to YouTube at death
Naming who acts after a death
- Inactive Account Manager
Inactive Account Manager lets the holder choose up to 10 people to receive selected account data, YouTube included, after the account has been inactive for a period the holder sets. They get an email with a link to download the data.3
Other companies and product lines involved1
- Google Legal Support, AdSense Support
Unpaid AdSense earnings claimed by a rightful heir, by upload, mail or fax4
Fax: 1-650-618-8507
Mailing address: Google, Inc., Attn: Google Legal Support, AdSense Support, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043
Google publishes its own process for a deceased person's account: Google deceased user request (troubleshooter); a request goes in through Google's online form. YouTube lets the account holder name, in advance, who may act on the account after a death, through Inactive Account Manager.
Sources
Data sourced from Google LLC primary sources (14 pages reviewed). How we research.
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