YouTube is tightening rules on monetization for “inauthentic” and mass-produced content starting July 15. The update targets creators churning out repetitive or low-effort videos, especially those fueled by AI tools.
The change updates the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) rules to clarify what counts as original content. The exact new language isn’t public yet, but YouTube says it’s just a clearer way to spot spammy, mass-produced content that’s already been disqualified from earning money.
YouTube’s Head of Editorial & Creator Liaison, Rene Ritchie, pushed back on fears this would block reaction videos or clips, calling it a “minor update.” He explains this type of spammy content has never qualified for monetization anyway. 
“The change is just a ‘minor update’ to YouTube’s longstanding YPP policies and is designed to better identify when content is mass-produced or repetitive.”
Rene Ritchie
The real issue: AI tech has made it ridiculously easy to fill YouTube with low-quality, auto-generated videos. Channels with AI voices over images or clips, AI music channels with millions of subs, and even fake AI news videos about big events have exploded on the platform.
One viral true crime series was found to be entirely AI-generated, and a phishing scam used a deepfake of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s face, despite reporting tools for such fakes.
YouTube downplays the update as minor, but the rise of AI spam threatens its reputation. This move sets the stage for mass bans of AI sludge creators from monetization.
YouTube’s update follows growing pressure to clamp down on AI-generated junk flooding the site. The goal: keep monetization for real creators, not AI spammers.
Watch Rene Ritchie explain the update here:
