YouTube Tightens Monetization Rules to Curb AI-Generated Content

YouTube has announced significant updates to its monetization policies under the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), set to take effect from July 15. The new guidelines aim to curb the proliferation of "inauthentic" content, which includes repetitive, low-effort, and mass-produced videos. This move is designed to promote originality and creativity on the platform, ensuring that only high-quality, engaging content is eligible for ad revenue.

The updated policies will specifically target videos that are uploaded multiple times with minimal changes, content copied from other creators, and videos generated using templates or AI tools. YouTube's new rules emphasize the importance of originality, requiring all videos to be newly created and significantly transformed if they use existing material. Videos that lack entertainment value or useful information will also be disqualified from monetization.

YouTube's decision to enforce these stricter guidelines comes as a response to the growing trend of creators using AI tools and automated processes to generate content quickly and in bulk. This type of content often lacks the originality and creativity that YouTube aims to reward. By cracking down on such practices, YouTube hopes to create a more authentic and engaging environment for both creators and viewers.

YouTube's previous monetization policy required creators to have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within the past 12 months to qualify for the YPP. Alternatively, creators posting Shorts needed to achieve 10 million views within the last 90 days. Once these requirements were met, channels could start earning money from their content. However, under the old rules, it was common for creators to re-upload old videos, use copy-pasted material, and even rely on AI tools with little human input.

The updated guidelines are expected to have far-reaching implications, particularly for creators who rely on AI tools to quickly generate content in bulk. Gaming channels, tutorial videos, and voiceover-driven explainer content could all come under greater scrutiny. YouTube's new policies aim to support authentic creators and stop "copy-paste" content from earning ad revenue, ensuring that only high-quality, original content is rewarded.

YouTube is currently preparing the text for the new updates to its guidelines. The detailed guidelines will provide more context and clarify which videos are eligible for monetization and which are not. YouTubers feared the update would demonetize videos that reuse clips, such as reaction videos. However, Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s Head of Editorial and Creator Liaison, clarified that reaction videos and similar content will remain monetized. Ritchie published a 32-second video on YouTube and said that “This is a minor update to YouTube’s long-standing YPP policies to help better identify when content is mass-produced or repetitive.” He stated that this type of content has been ineligible for monetization for years and that users consider it spam.

YouTube's advertising revenue totaled $31.7 billion in 2023. According to YPP, creators receive 55 percent of ad revenue. This means around $17.4 billion went straight to creators. YouTube ad revenues continued to grow in 2024. The grew by 13.8 percent, translating to $36.15 billion. Creators received around $19.9 billion. YouTube is committing hundreds of millions of dollars in creator earnings to truly original content. By removing AI-slop and repetitive content from the YPP, the platform maintains advertiser trust. At the same time, this move protects the livelihoods of genuine creators.