YouTube tightens monetization rules for AI-Generated fake videos; New policies effective July 15

YouTube is going to make a big change to its partner program from July 15, 2025. This change is aimed at excluding AI-based spam and fake videos from monetization, which are not only degrading the quality of the platform but also affecting the income of honest creators.

New Delhi: For some time now, YouTube has been witnessing a flood of fake and low-quality videos created with the help of generative AI tools. Such videos, which are created with the help of stock footage, AI-generated voiceovers, and pre-existing clips, not only confuse the viewers but also increase the competition for real creators, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

Announcement of change

YouTube has announced changes to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) from July 15, 2025. Under this change, "mass-produced and repetitive," i.e., videos created in large quantities, will no longer be considered monetizable.

What is AI slop, and why has it become a matter of concern?

The term AI slop is being used for videos that are created quickly and without effort with the help of generative AI. They have neither originality nor human creativity. YouTube says that such videos are damaging the credibility of the platform.

YouTube said that this update is to further strengthen the identification of fake and duplicate content in today's era.

What does it mean for content creators?

Some creators fear that this will affect the earnings of their legitimate videos, but YouTube's Head of Editorial & Creator Liaison Rene Ritchie has clarified this. He said that this is not a new rule but a clear interpretation of the guidelines already in place.

He also clarified that it will not affect reaction videos, transformative content, and real story-based videos.

Changes in the ad category system as well

YouTube is not only controlling the content but also the ad system. From July 15, a sensitive ad category called "Bare Skin (Image Only)" will be removed. YouTube is now giving creators time till August 15 to update their ad settings with new tags like "Reference to Sex."