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Filtering & Detection

How filtering works, accuracy, and customization

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How It WorksAccuracyCustom FiltersMute vs BleepCompatibilityRe-filtering

How Filtering Works

SafePlay uses advanced technology to identify and filter profanity in YouTube videos.

The Process

1When you request to filter a video, we analyze the audio track
2Our system identifies spoken words with precise timing
3Profanity is detected based on our comprehensive word list plus your custom words
4The video is prepared with those moments silenced (mute) or replaced with a bleep

What Gets Filtered

  • • Standard profanity and vulgar language
  • • Crude/offensive terms
  • • Your custom word list (paid plans)

What Doesn't Get Filtered

  • • Visual content (audio only)
  • • Already bleeped content in original
  • • Similar-sounding non-profanity
  • • Foreign language (English only)

Processing Time

Most videos are processed in 1-3 minutes. Longer videos (like movies) may take up to 5-10 minutes.

Detection Accuracy

99.5%

Detection accuracy rate

What This Means

In a video with 100 instances of profanity, we typically catch 99-100 of them. The occasional miss usually happens with:

  • • Heavily accented speech
  • • Very fast speech
  • • Background noise interference
  • • Mumbled or unclear words

False Positives

Sometimes we might filter a word that sounds like profanity but isn't. This is rare, and we continuously improve our system to minimize these cases.

Reporting Issues

If you notice we missed something or incorrectly filtered a word:

  1. 1Go to your filtered video in History
  2. 2Click "Report Issue"
  3. 3Note the approximate timestamp
  4. 4We'll use this feedback to improve

Setting Up Custom Word Filters

Paid plans can add custom words to filter beyond the standard profanity list.

Adding Custom Words

  1. 1Go to Settings → Filter Preferences
  2. 2Scroll to "Custom Words"
  3. 3Add words or phrases, one per line
  4. 4Click "Save Changes"

Best Practices

  • •Be specific — adding "dang" won't filter "danger"
  • •Include common misspellings if needed
  • •Add phrases exactly as spoken (e.g., "oh my god")
  • •Test with a known video after adding

Per-Profile Custom Words (Family Plans)

Each family profile can have its own custom word list. Go to Family → Select a profile → Edit Filter Preferences. This lets you filter more strictly for younger children while being more relaxed for teens.

Mute vs. Bleep: Which to Choose

SafePlay offers two filtering modes. Choose based on your preference:

Mute Mode

  • • Filtered words completely silenced
  • • Brief moment of no audio
  • • More subtle and natural-feeling

Best for: Adults who want minimal disruption

Bleep Mode

  • • Classic "bleep" sound replacement
  • • TV-style censoring
  • • Clear indication of filtering

Best for: Families who want to know when content is filtered

Note

Your choice applies to future videos. Previously filtered videos keep their original mode. To change a video's mode, you'll need to re-filter it (no additional credits).

What Videos Work with SafePlay

SafePlay works with most YouTube videos, but there are some limitations.

Works Great

  • • Public YouTube videos
  • • Unlisted videos (with link)
  • • Educational content
  • • Movies and shows on YouTube
  • • Music videos
  • • Documentaries

Limited or No Support

  • • Private videos — can't access
  • • Age-restricted — may not work
  • • Live streams — not supported
  • • YouTube Shorts — not supported
  • • Premium-only — depends on access

Checking Compatibility

The easiest way to check is to try filtering the video. If there's an issue, we'll let you know before any credits are used.

Re-filtering Videos

Sometimes you might want to re-filter a video you've already processed.

Reasons to Re-filter

  • • You've added new custom words and want them applied
  • • You want to switch between mute and bleep mode
  • • Our system has been updated with improved detection

How to Re-filter

  1. 1Go to History
  2. 2Find the video you want to re-filter
  3. 3Click the menu (three dots)
  4. 4Select "Re-filter Video"
  5. 5Confirm

Credit Usage

Re-filtering the same video does NOT use additional credits. Your original filtering "paid for" that video, and re-filtering is free.

Need more help with filtering?

Contact our support team for personalized assistance.