YouTube has updated its guidelines on monetizing videos created with AI technology, aiming to curb low-quality and repetitive content. The policy now defines three categories of inauthentic content—generic, repetitive or template-based; off-putting or distressing; and those involving the use of AI personas discussing sensitive topics—that cannot be monetized through its YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

According to Matt Halprin, YouTube’s trust and safety chief, this change is designed to reduce content farming efforts—high-volume but low-quality videos that exist purely for revenue. While he acknowledges the benefits of AI in enhancing creativity, he stresses that it can also lead to a flood of generic, cookie-cutter content.

The new categories aim to address specific concerns: repetitive content such as tutorials or computer-generated imagery (CGI); distressing or emotionally manipulative videos; and the use of AI personas in sensitive topics. Channels that exceed these thresholds will no longer be eligible for monetization from YPP, aligning with YouTube’s broader strategy to maintain high-quality content.

This move is particularly significant as YouTube competes for ad revenue against traditional TV channels and streaming services. The platform generates more ad revenue than its rivals and has surpassed Netflix in average daily views worldwide. By cracking down on AI slop, YouTube hopes to protect both the quality of content and user experience.