Global Ratings & Content Policy Strategy — Netflix

Ratings Policy Intern | Netflix

context

Netflix’s Global Ratings and Partnerships team ensures that millions of titles are accurately classified for audiences worldwide—balancing creative freedom, cultural sensitivity, and viewer trust.

During my internship, I supported this mission by contributing to the strategy, development, and enforcement of global content classification policies, ensuring that Netflix’s rapidly growing catalog was rated accurately and consistently across markets.

Goal: Strengthen how Netflix communicates maturity ratings and advisories globally, aligning policy frameworks with evolving cultural norms and viewer expectations.

problem

As Netflix expanded internationally, the challenge was to maintain consistency, transparency, and cultural sensitivity across diverse rating systems and regulations.

Key challenges included:

  • Variations in rating standards across markets

  • Inconsistent handling of non-visual sensitive content (e.g., discrimination, verbal harm)

  • Need for scalable tools and clear reviewer guidance

  • Growing audience demand for context around sensitive themes

Challenge: Build systems and frameworks that help viewers make informed choices—while giving internal teams the clarity to apply policies at scale.

process

1. Ratings Classification & Evaluation

  • Evaluated and classified TV series and films for maturity ratings and content advisories across global markets.

  • Assessed materials including scripts, trailers, and imagery to determine appropriate age ratings and advisory language.

  • Conducted audits of catalog titles to verify metadata and ratings accuracy.

2. Policy Development & Research

  • Supported the update and refinement of Netflix’s global ratings guidelines, aligning them with local regulations and cultural sensitivities.

  • Authored the exploratory report “Optimizing Discrimination NVMC & Behavior/Violence Tags for the U.S. Market,” proposing new frameworks for surfacing non-visual mature content.

    • Introduced a U.S.-specific discrimination severity scale and reviewer playbooks.

    • Recommended override-only advisories and stereotype tags to improve content transparency.

    • Developed proposals for ML-driven classification tools and product UX integrations to scale globally.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partnered with Content, Metadata, Global Affairs, and ML teams to align policy standards and data tools.

  • Participated in cross-regional meetings to address workflow improvements and implement policy consistency across markets.

  • Utilized Airtable and Google Workspace for policy documentation, tracking, and reporting.

“The work bridged policy, technology, and human judgment—defining how sensitive content is identified, rated, and communicated to global audiences.”

outcome

  • Supported the accurate classification of hundreds of Netflix titles across international markets.

  • Contributed to policy refinements that enhanced consistency, transparency, and viewer trust.

  • Authored a detailed policy proposal adopted as a reference for future ratings guideline updates.

  • Helped identify operational improvements for metadata accuracy and reviewer workflows.

impact

  • Strengthened Netflix’s ability to communicate sensitive content responsibly and globally.

  • Enhanced reviewer guidance and policy alignment through scalable frameworks.

  • Advanced internal conversations around AI-assisted content classification and cultural sensitivity.

  • Deepened expertise at the intersection of entertainment, regulation, and audience trust.