YouTube updates its policy to demonetize inauthentic, mass-produced AI-generated content

YouTube will introduce a YouTube Partner Program policy update on July 15, directly targeting inauthentic, mass-produced, and repetitive content. This comes in response to the increasing prevalence of AI-generated low-quality videos, which have raised platform-wide concerns and are often described as 'AI slop.'

While the exact policy language has not been released, YouTube states that the update seeks to clarify what counts as inauthentic content. Creators have long been required to share original and authentic work, but the new update will reinforce and make this expectation clearer. According to Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s Head of Editorial & Creator Liaison, the change will not affect legitimate reaction videos or content that includes clips, clarifying that such formats remain safe under the policy. Ritchie also described the update as minor, one that formalizes existing enforcement against spammy and mass-produced uploads.

Although channels based on low-quality AI videos are the focus, YouTube will continue to allow AI-generated videos for monetization if they enhance original content and comply with other requirements. The company clarifies that these changes are meant to prevent monetization abuse by large-scale producers of low-effort or copied content, not to penalize responsible AI use.