YouTube is preparing a new update to its YouTube Partner Program aimed at tightening monetization rules around Artificial Intelligence generated and mass-produced videos, in an effort to clean up what it describes as “low quality clutter” on the platform. A preliminary update to the program’s monetization policies states: In order to monetize as part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), YouTube has always required creators to upload “original” and “authentic” content. On July 15, 2025, YouTube is updating our guidelines to better identify mass-produced and repetitious content. This update better reflects what “inauthentic” content looks like today. The company positions the move as a clarification of existing rules rather than a sudden shift.
According to YouTube, the upcoming policy is not intended as a blanket crackdown on popular channel formats such as reaction and commentary videos, or on “faceless” channels that do not feature an on-camera host. The company says these channels will not be penalized by the update if they already qualify for monetization. Rene Ritchie, head of editorial for YouTube and YouTubeInsider, described the change as “a minor update to YouTube’s longstanding YPP policies” intended to better identify when content is mass produced or repetitive, and noted that this type of content has already been ineligible for monetization for years and is often considered spam by viewers.
The policy refresh comes after years in which existing rules struggled to keep pace with the spread of Artificial Intelligence generated videos, clickbait-style “slop” channels, scam content, third-party advertisements, and misinformation that managed to earn ad revenue over extended periods. While many users celebrated the announcement and framed it as a sweeping demonetization of Artificial Intelligence spam and re-uploads, YouTube clarified that those categories were technically already covered and that the update is more about enforcement clarity. Some creators also misinterpreted the change as limiting monetization to those using their “real” voices and likenesses, but the company emphasized that channels “using AI to improve their content” will still be eligible under the revised guidelines, reflecting YouTube’s broader investment in generative Artificial Intelligence tools for creators.
