YouTube tightens rules on mass-produced and repetitive videos… slightly
YouTube will be updating its Partner Program Monetization policy in a not so major way.
YouTube is making changes to its monetisation policy in an effort to limit low-quality, repetitive videos from earning money on the platform. From 15th July 2025, the platform will update its YouTube Partner Program (YPP) rules to clarify what counts as “inauthentic” content – and much of this appears aimed at tackling the rise of AI-generated videos.
According to Music Ally, YouTube has said this isn’t a major crackdown, but rather a clarification of long-standing rules under its YouTube Partner Program (YPP). The platform has always required videos to be “original” and “authentic” in order to earn money through ads and other features. As YouTube explained: “This update better reflects what ‘inauthentic’ content looks like today.”
While the policy doesn’t mention AI directly, it’s widely seen as a response to the rise of “AI slop” – a term used to describe low-effort videos created using generative AI tools. These might include AI voiceovers paired with stock images, text-to-video clips, or auto-generated music. Some of these videos attract millions of views, despite offering little original value.
As TechCrunch points out, concerns about fake or AI-generated content have grown rapidly in recent months. One viral true crime series was found to be fully AI-made, and even YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s likeness has appeared in AI-generated scams on the platform.
Still, YouTube is playing down the scale of the change. In a video statement, Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s Head of Creator Liaison, said: “This is a minor update to YouTube’s long-standing YPP policies to help better identify when content is mass-produced or repetitive. This type of content has already been ineligible for monetisation for years, and is content viewers often consider spam. That’s it.”
The move comes as digital platforms face growing pressure to manage the flood of AI-generated content, and to protect both their reputations and the creators who make high-quality work.