Source: theverge.com
Article: YouTube ‘clarifies’ its plan to demonetize spammy AI slop
YouTube is addressing confusion about an upcoming update to its monetization policies after creators expressed concern that it might lead to widespread demonetization, especially for AI-assisted videos. The platform clarified that the July 15, 2025, update simply refines how it defines “inauthentic” or “mass-produced” content, not a major overhaul of existing rules. These guidelines have long required creators to make meaningful changes to reused material, and YouTube says the new wording is meant to better reflect modern trends in repetitive or spam-like content.
According to YouTube’s Rene Ritchie, the update is a minor clarification aimed at helping the platform more easily identify low-quality, repetitive uploads that viewers often see as spam. YouTube also published a support document emphasizing that policies around commentary and reaction videos remain unchanged. While the full updated text isn’t out yet, the move is widely seen as part of YouTube’s effort to combat the growing flood of low-effort AI-generated videos that recycle existing clips and voices. YouTube confirmed that creators can still use AI tools as long as their videos remain original, authentic, and meet monetization standards.
