In a method for performing adaptive content classification of a video content item, frames of a video content item are analyzed at a sampling rate for a type of content, wherein the sampling rate dictates a frequency at which frames of the video content item are analyzed. Responsive to identifying content within at least one frame indicative of the type of content, the sampling rate of the frames is increased. Responsive to not identifying content within at least one frame indicative of the type of content, the sampling rate of the frames is decreased. It is determined whether the video content item includes the type of content based on the analyzing the frames.