YouTube cracks down on AI spam videos with new rules starting July 15: Know all about them here

India Today

10-07-2025

Of late, YouTube has been dealing with the problem of spam videos, including low-quality, AI-generated content, which has affected the quality and monetisation on the platform. In a move to deal with this rubbish content, YouTube has announced that it is tightening its monetisation rules under the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). The platform has introduced updated guidelines targeting inauthentic content. The new policy of YouTube content will take effect from 15 July.advertisementWhile YouTube insists this is just a clarification of existing rules, creators and viewers alike are paying close attention. At the core of this policy update is YouTube's renewed emphasis on original and authentic content standards, which the company claims have always been required for monetisation eligibility.However, the rise of generative AI tools has now led to an explosion of what's being called AI slop—video content hastily cobbled together using AI-generated narration, stock footage, or repurposed visuals. While some of these videos manage to rack up millions of views, many falls short in quality and substance, with little to no human creativity involved. YouTube's policy update aims to address precisely this kind of content.
'This update better reflects what 'inauthentic' content looks like today,' YouTube said in its official July announcement. In particular, the new policy will 'better identify mass-produced and repetitious content'—phrasing that suggests AI-generated videos are firmly in the company's crosshairs.Effect on monetisation policyWhile the new content change has raised concerns among many creators, clarifying more of the updated policy, YouTube's Head of Editorial & Creator Liaison, Rene Ritchie, said in a recent video that it is a minor update, meant to align enforcement with long-standing YPP policies. He reassured creators that the update won't affect monetisation for reaction videos or content that uses clips in transformative ways. 'This is not new,' Ritchie said. 'Mass-produced, repetitive content has always been ineligible for monetisation.'To further clean up its monetisation ecosystem, YouTube is also making changes to its ad category settings. From 15 July, the 'Bare Skin (Image Only)' sensitive category will be removed from YouTube Studio. Channels using this setting have until 15 August to adjust their filters, with YouTube recommending the use of more specific categories like 'Reference to Sex' for better control.All in all, YouTube's updated content policy is part of its fight against low-effort, AI-driven content that have flooded the platform in recent years. These videos clutter the platform and also impact its value for both creators and viewers.- Ends