Why Vimeo is implementing age verification — and what it means for creators and businesses

At Vimeo, protecting the safety of our creators, businesses, and viewers is central to everything we do. As new regulations take effect, we are implementing age verification for accounts in affected regions.

We want to be transparent about what this means, why it's important, and how it benefits Vimeo creators and businesses.

What the new UK requirements are

• In some regions, new rules require platforms to take additional steps to protect young audiences and provide safer access to online services.
• One part of these requirements is confirming that viewers must be 18 or older before accessing certain types of content, such as mature material.
• Platforms like YouTube and many others are introducing similar verifications - whether through ID, face scans, or other means - to ensure compliance and protect users.
• These regulations aim to shield minors from inappropriate content and create a safer, more predictable content ecosystem.

Why this is good for creators and businesses

We believe these changes, while sometimes challenging, offer several benefits:

1. Trust and brand safety

Brands, advertisers, and partners increasingly care about content safety and age-appropriateness. Being proactive helps maintain trust and positions Vimeo creators as safe, professional, and credible.

2. Audience clarity and reputation

When content is appropriately rated, audiences know what to expect. Creators can better align content, messaging, and monetization without surprises from unexpected age gates.

3. Consistency with industry standards

Many platforms are already implementing similar requirements. Aligning with best practices helps Vimeo remain competitive and compliant across jurisdictions.

How Vimeo is implementing age verification

Age verification will be introduced gradually, rolling out across different regions at different times. This means some users may encounter verification prompts before others, depending on where they are located.

To minimize friction while ensuring compliance, here is what we're doing:

• Viewers in regions requiring verification must verify their age once when logging in to their account. Logged-out viewers must also complete verification before accessing unrated or mature content.
• Verification options vary by region and may include: government-issued ID, a secure face scan, payment card verification
• If verification fails, users will see error messages with retry options and can contact Vimeo Support for troubleshooting or to file an appeal.
• Users under 18 will be guided through the next steps, such as transferring their account to an adult, exporting their data, closing their account, or submitting an appeal.

What we expect and how to prepare

• Creators with unrated or mature content should begin reviewing content ratings now. Properly rating your videos will reduce surprises for your audience.
• Businesses should ensure their workflows, team communications, and monetization strategies account for potential changes in viewership for mature/unrated material.
• Support teams are ready to assist with verification, appeals, privacy concerns, and user questions.

We view this not just as a regulatory requirement, but as an opportunity to help creators and businesses protect their content while building trust with viewers. We believe this creates long-term value for everyone - creators, businesses, and audiences alike.

For FAQ and more information, visit our Help Center.