> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/googleapis/python-genai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Safety Settings

> Configure safety filters and handle blocked responses in Gemini models

Gemini models include built-in safety filters to prevent generating harmful content. You can configure these filters to balance safety requirements with your application's needs.

## Basic Safety Configuration

Configure safety settings by specifying harm categories and blocking thresholds:

```python theme={null}
from google.genai import types

response = client.models.generate_content(
    model='gemini-2.5-flash',
    contents='Say something bad.',
    config=types.GenerateContentConfig(
        safety_settings=[
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_HATE_SPEECH',
                threshold='BLOCK_ONLY_HIGH',
            )
        ]
    ),
)
print(response.text)
```

## Safety Categories

Gemini models evaluate content across these safety categories:

* `HARM_CATEGORY_HATE_SPEECH` - Negative or harmful comments targeting identity and/or protected attributes
* `HARM_CATEGORY_DANGEROUS_CONTENT` - Content that facilitates, promotes, or enables harmful acts
* `HARM_CATEGORY_HARASSMENT` - Malicious, intimidating, bullying, or abusive content
* `HARM_CATEGORY_SEXUALLY_EXPLICIT` - Content that contains references to sexual acts or explicit material

## Safety Thresholds

Control the blocking behavior with these threshold levels:

* `BLOCK_NONE` - Don't block any content (use with caution)
* `BLOCK_ONLY_HIGH` - Block only high-probability harmful content
* `BLOCK_MEDIUM_AND_ABOVE` - Block medium and high-probability harmful content (default)
* `BLOCK_LOW_AND_ABOVE` - Block low, medium, and high-probability harmful content
* `HARM_BLOCK_THRESHOLD_UNSPECIFIED` - Use the default threshold

## Configuring Multiple Categories

Set different thresholds for different categories:

```python theme={null}
from google.genai import types

response = client.models.generate_content(
    model='gemini-2.5-flash',
    contents='Write a story about conflict',
    config=types.GenerateContentConfig(
        safety_settings=[
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_HATE_SPEECH',
                threshold='BLOCK_LOW_AND_ABOVE',
            ),
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_DANGEROUS_CONTENT',
                threshold='BLOCK_MEDIUM_AND_ABOVE',
            ),
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_HARASSMENT',
                threshold='BLOCK_ONLY_HIGH',
            ),
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_SEXUALLY_EXPLICIT',
                threshold='BLOCK_MEDIUM_AND_ABOVE',
            ),
        ]
    ),
)
print(response.text)
```

## Handling Blocked Responses

When content is blocked by safety filters, you can check the safety ratings:

```python theme={null}
from google.genai import types

try:
    response = client.models.generate_content(
        model='gemini-2.5-flash',
        contents='Generate harmful content',
        config=types.GenerateContentConfig(
            safety_settings=[
                types.SafetySetting(
                    category='HARM_CATEGORY_DANGEROUS_CONTENT',
                    threshold='BLOCK_MEDIUM_AND_ABOVE',
                )
            ]
        ),
    )
    print(response.text)
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Content blocked: {e}")
```

## Checking Safety Ratings

Inspect the safety ratings for each response:

```python theme={null}
from google.genai import types

response = client.models.generate_content(
    model='gemini-2.5-flash',
    contents='Tell me about cybersecurity',
    config=types.GenerateContentConfig(
        safety_settings=[
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_DANGEROUS_CONTENT',
                threshold='BLOCK_ONLY_HIGH',
            )
        ]
    ),
)

# Check safety ratings
if response.candidates:
    for rating in response.candidates[0].safety_ratings:
        print(f"{rating.category}: {rating.probability}")
```

## Disabling Safety Filters

<Warning>
  Disabling safety filters may allow the model to generate harmful content. Only do this in controlled environments with appropriate safeguards.
</Warning>

To minimize blocking, set all categories to `BLOCK_NONE`:

```python theme={null}
from google.genai import types

response = client.models.generate_content(
    model='gemini-2.5-flash',
    contents='Your prompt here',
    config=types.GenerateContentConfig(
        safety_settings=[
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_HATE_SPEECH',
                threshold='BLOCK_NONE',
            ),
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_DANGEROUS_CONTENT',
                threshold='BLOCK_NONE',
            ),
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_HARASSMENT',
                threshold='BLOCK_NONE',
            ),
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_SEXUALLY_EXPLICIT',
                threshold='BLOCK_NONE',
            ),
        ]
    ),
)
print(response.text)
```

## Best Practices

* **Start conservative**: Begin with stricter settings and adjust based on your use case
* **Handle blocked responses**: Always include error handling for blocked content
* **Check safety ratings**: Monitor safety ratings to understand why content was blocked
* **Use appropriate thresholds**: Different applications have different safety requirements
* **Document your settings**: Keep track of which safety settings you're using and why

## Use Cases

### Content Moderation System

Use strict settings for user-facing content:

```python theme={null}
from google.genai import types

response = client.models.generate_content(
    model='gemini-2.5-flash',
    contents=user_input,
    config=types.GenerateContentConfig(
        safety_settings=[
            types.SafetySetting(
                category=category,
                threshold='BLOCK_LOW_AND_ABOVE',
            )
            for category in [
                'HARM_CATEGORY_HATE_SPEECH',
                'HARM_CATEGORY_DANGEROUS_CONTENT',
                'HARM_CATEGORY_HARASSMENT',
                'HARM_CATEGORY_SEXUALLY_EXPLICIT',
            ]
        ]
    ),
)
```

### Creative Writing Assistant

Use more permissive settings for creative content:

```python theme={null}
from google.genai import types

response = client.models.generate_content(
    model='gemini-2.5-flash',
    contents='Write a thriller story',
    config=types.GenerateContentConfig(
        safety_settings=[
            types.SafetySetting(
                category='HARM_CATEGORY_DANGEROUS_CONTENT',
                threshold='BLOCK_ONLY_HIGH',  # Allow fictional dangerous content
            )
        ]
    ),
)
```