Using the profanity filter


The profanity filter prevents inappropriate words from being displayed by Zoom's automated captions. The filter applies to all Zoom products utilizing Zoom's transcription services, including automated captions in meetings and webinars, Meeting Summary with AI Companion, and recording transcripts.

This article covers:

Prerequisites for using the profanity filter

How to add filtered words for the first time

When adding filtered words for the first time, you will be prompted to choose between uploading a file, adding words manually or importing from a third party list. The added words will be filtered and censored when captions are enabled, and in transcriptions of meeting recordings.

Upload file

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an admin with the privilege to edit account settings.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
  3. Click the Meeting tab.
  4. Under In Meeting (Advanced), then Profanity Filter.
  5. Click Manage Filtered Words.
    A pop up window will appear.
  6. In the pop up window, click Upload File.
  7. Click the Upload a file tab.
  8. Drag and drop a CSV file or click Choose files to select a file to upload.
  9. Click Upload.

Add words manually

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an admin with the privilege to edit account settings.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
  3. Click the Meeting tab.
  4. Under In Meeting (Advanced), then Profanity Filter.
  5. Click Manage Filtered Words.
    A pop up window will appear.
  6. Click Add Words Manually.
  7. In the Add words field, enter a word that you want to prevent from being displayed in transcriptions.
  8. Click Add.
  9. Click Save.

Import from third party list

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an admin with the privilege to edit account settings.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
  3. Click the Meeting tab.
  4. Under In Meeting (Advanced), then Profanity Filter.
  5. Click Manage Filtered Words.
    A pop up window will appear.
  6. Click Import from third party list.
  7. Select the Github Profanity Filter checkbox.
  8. Click Save.

How to manage filtered words

After adding words for the first time, you can always add more words, edit existing ones, or delete a word from the list.

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an admin with the privilege to edit account settings.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
  3. Click the Meeting tab.
  4. Under In Meeting (Advanced), then Profanity Filter.
  5. Click Manage Filtered Words.
    A pop up window will appear.
  6. Under Filtered Words, click the pencil button to edit the word or the trash bin button to delete it.
  7. (Optional) In the Add words field, enter a word, click Add then Save to add a word manually.
  8. (Optional) Click Upload, add a file, click Upload then Save to use a CSV file in adding words.
  9. (Optional) Click Upload, then Import 3rd party list tab. Click the Github Profanity Filter checkbox to select or unselect the option.