YouTube Changes Rules for AI-Generated Content: Some Videos Will Not Be Monetizable

YouTube is changing its rules regarding the use of AI with new guidelines that will impact creators' ability to monetize videos published on the platform. This measure could significantly change the activity of some channels.

AI-generated content will not be banned and will continue to be published on the platform.

What Will Change for YouTube?

YouTube will not ban AI-generated content, but it will modify the evaluation system that allows content creators to monetize the videos. Matt Halprin, Vice President of YouTube's Trust & Safety team, clarified the platform's position regarding what will change for creators participating in the YouTube Partner Program. In the future, "videos that are very similar to each other, decidedly generic, lacking a real narrative arc and not showing any originality" will not be eligible for the YPP and will not benefit from monetization of generated traffic.

The loss of monetization can occur for three categories of videos:

1. Generic and repetitive content produced in series with AI.
2. Unpleasant or manipulative content, such as those showing animals in distress saved at the last moment (this example was cited by Halprin).
3. Content that includes characters created with AI discussing sensitive topics like health and finance that may provide superficial, inaccurate, or misleading information.

Creators can challenge the suspension of monetization within 21 days. If the challenge is unsuccessful, a new application can be submitted after 90 days.