- YouTube to update monetization policies on July 15 to address AI-generated, repetitive content.
- New rules clarify what qualifies as “authentic” and monetizable under the YouTube Partner Program.
- “AI slop” videos using synthetic voices, recycled clips, or auto-generated scripts are under scrutiny.
- YouTube reassures creators that reaction and commentary videos with original input remain eligible.
YouTube is preparing to roll out updated monetization policies on July 15 that aim to curb the growing trend of mass-produced and repetitive content, much of which is now being generated using artificial intelligence tools.
The move marks a significant step by the platform to preserve content quality and authenticity as AI-generated videos continue to flood the site.
Stricter Policies to Target “Inauthentic” Content
YouTube’s new guidelines, which will be part of an update to its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), are designed to help creators better understand what qualifies as monetizable content. While the full policy text has not yet been released, an official Help page states that creators must submit “original” and “authentic” videos to earn revenue.
The update places specific emphasis on identifying content that is mass-produced, low-effort, or overly repetitive, features increasingly common in AI-generated videos. These include formats such as AI voiceovers layered on top of slideshow images, automatically compiled clips, and minimally edited reposts of existing footage.
YouTube Says It’s a Clarification, Not a Crackdown
Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s Head of Editorial and Creator Liaison, reassured creators in a recent video update that the platform is not changing its core rules, but rather clarifying existing ones. According to Ritchie, content lacking originality has never qualified for monetization under YPP.
He emphasized that popular formats like reaction videos and commentary-based content will not be affected, as long as they feature meaningful original input. This clarification was meant to calm concerns from creators who feared that widely used formats might be swept up in the new enforcement measures.
The Rise of “AI Slop” on YouTube
Despite YouTube’s reassurances, the timing of the update comes amid growing concerns about the quality and volume of AI-generated media on the platform. “AI slop,” a term coined to describe low-quality, mass-produced content created with generative AI, has become increasingly common.
Some of these videos rack up millions of views, misleading viewers and potentially damaging YouTube’s credibility.
AI-generated music channels, fake news reports using text-to-video tools, and even entirely synthetic true crime series have become widespread. One such series that went viral earlier this year was revealed by 404 Media to be fully AI-created.
In another case, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s likeness was manipulated in a phishing scam using deepfake technology, raising further alarm about the unchecked use of AI content.
Safeguarding Platform Integrity
While YouTube describes the policy update as minor, it appears to be a preemptive move to regain control over the platform’s content quality. As AI tools become more accessible and capable, the line between creative content and automated spam has blurred.
Without clear standards, YouTube risks allowing low-effort, AI-driven channels to dominate, harming user trust and advertiser confidence. This upcoming policy shift provides a framework for YouTube to remove monetization from content that lacks meaningful human input or is considered misleading or repetitive.
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