Election information panels

By November 6, 2020 some features related to the 2020 US elections may no longer be available. The Election results information panels will still be available. 

In the US, information panels may show in your search results when you search for info on federal election candidates or voting.

Candidate information panels

Candidate information panels may show at the top of your search results when you search for the names of US federal congressional, senatorial, and presidential candidates. These panels highlight info on the candidates, such as their political party and what office they’re running for. Info about the candidates is sourced from a vetted, independent third-party source. There’s also a link to learn more about a candidate through Google Search.

Below the candidate information panel, you may see a link to the official channel of a federal congressional or senatorial candidate. For presidential candidates, you may see an official watch card instead.

Currently, these features are only available in the US in English.

Voting information panels

Voting information panels may show at the top of your search results when you search for info on how to vote or how to register to vote. These panels will direct you to Google’s “How to Vote” or “How to Register” features to help you learn more about specific state-by-state voting info. Voting info is sourced from a vetted, independent third-party source.

Currently, voting information panels are only available in the US in English and Spanish.

Election results information panels

Election results information panels may show at the top of your search results when you search for videos related to the US elections. These panels may also show under a video that discusses the US election if the video was posted on or after November 3, 2020 (Election Day). The information panels link out to Google’s “Election Results” feature, which sources election results from The Associated Press, an independent, 3rd party source.

Currently, election results information panels are only available in the US in English and Spanish.

FAQs

Candidate information panels

Where does the info for candidate information panels come from?

The info is sourced from Ballotpedia, a non-partisan, third-party data partner.

Which candidates get information panels?

Candidates that are eligible for information panels include U.S. federal congressional, senatorial, and presidential candidates as sourced by Ballotpedia.

When I search for a candidate, I don’t see an information panel. Why?

You might need to change your search terms. Enter the exact full name of a congressional or senatorial candidate to see information panels and pinned channels in your search results. For presidential candidates, enter their full name, or just their last name, to see information panels and watch cards in your search results.

Keep in mind:

  • YouTube doesn’t directly decide who to show a candidate panel for, but instead relies on a vetted third-party source for candidate info.
  • A candidate’s channel may not show in search results if the channel has been removed due to a YouTube policy violation.
  • Currently, candidate information panels can only be seen in the US. They can be seen on the YouTube mobile app (Android and iOS) or on your computer, but not on a mobile web browser (such as the Chrome app on your phone).

Voting information panels

Where does the info for voting information panels come from?

Voting information panels in YouTube search link to Google’s state-specific “How to Register” or “How to Vote” features. The state-specific info on Google Search is sourced from Democracy Works, a non-partisan, third-party data partner.

When I search for voting info, I don’t see an information panel. Why?

You might need to change your search terms. Try searching for “How to register to vote” or “How to vote” in English or Spanish.

Keep in mind: Currently, voting information panels can only be seen in the US. They can be seen on the YouTube mobile app (Android and iOS), on your computer, and on a mobile web browser (such as the Chrome app on your phone).

Election results information panels

Where does the info for election results information panels come from?

Election results information panels on YouTube link to Google’s “Election Results” feature. As in previous years and for this year’s primaries, this info on Google Search is sourced from The Associated Press (AP).

When I search or watch videos on election results, I don't see an information panel. Why?

Election results information panels will only show on videos related to US state or federal election results if the video was posted on or after November 3, 2020 (Election Day). In search, you may need to make your search terms more specific in order to see an information panel.

Keep in mind, election results information panels can only be seen in the US. They can be seen on the YouTube mobile app (Android and iOS), on your computer, and on a mobile web browser (such as the Chrome app on your phone).

Feedback

We rely on independent, third-party sources for election information. If you see incorrect or missing info related to any of the features described above, follow these steps to send feedback:

  1. In the top-right corner of an information panel, select the Menu .
  2. Select Send Feedback. A window will open where you can write your feedback.
  3. Write your feedback. Include specific details, like which candidate is missing or has incorrect info.
  4. Choose whether you want to include a screenshot. You can highlight any info on the screen or remove any personal info that's showing. We strongly recommend you include a screenshot.
  5. Select Send.
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