TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

YouTube is set to update its YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Monetization policies on July 15 to crack down on creators who generate revenue from "inauthentic" content, including mass-produced videos and other types of repetitive content. The move comes as concerns grow over the rise of AI-generated content on the platform. According to a page on YouTube's Help documentation, creators have always been required to upload "original" and "authentic" content. The update aims to provide clearer guidelines on what constitutes "inauthentic" content, which has become increasingly prevalent with the help of AI technology. YouTube Head of Editorial & Creator Liaison, Rene Ritchie, has stated that the update is a "minor update" to YouTube's longstanding YPP policies and is designed to better identify when content is mass-produced or repetitive. Ritchie emphasized that this type of content has been ineligible for monetization for years, as it is often considered spam by viewers. The rise of AI technology has led to an influx of low-quality media or content made using generative AI technology on YouTube. Examples include AI-generated music channels with millions of subscribers, fake news videos, and even AI-generated true crime series that have gone viral. The ease of creating such content has raised concerns about the platform's reputation and value. YouTube's update is seen as an effort to address these concerns by providing clearer policies that allow the company to take action against creators who generate revenue from inauthentic content. While the exact policy language has not been released, the update is expected to provide more detailed guidelines on what type of content can earn creators money and what cannot.