Google deletes close to 11,000 YouTube channels, here's why

YouTube

According to a recent report by CNBC and Google’s official blog, Google has removed almost 11,000 YouTube channels and accounts associated with state-sponsored propaganda campaigns from countries like China and Russia in the second quarter of 2025.

What did these channels do?

These targeted channels primarily posted content in Chinese and English, promoting the People's Republic of China (PRC), endorsing President Xi Jinping's policies while also commenting on US foreign affairs.

Propaganda by Russian channels

About 2,000 YouTube channels offered content in multiple languages supporting Russia while criticizing Ukraine, NATO, and the West. As a part of Google Threat Analysis Group to combat global disinformation campaigns, YouTube targeted these channels.

Other crackdowns

Google also removed 20 YouTube channels, four Ad accounts, and one blog linked to RT, which is the Russian state-controlled media outlet. Previously, YouTube had already blocked RT’s main channels in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Impact

A YouTube spokesperson also highlighted the removal of influence campaigns linked to Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Israel, Ghana, and Romania targeting political rivals, touching on regional issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict and internal elections. Further, since the start of this year, Google has now eliminated more than 30,000 such YouTube accounts due to sharing such propaganda activities.