Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — YouTube is updating its YouTube Partner Program (YPP) monetization policy to crack down on what it calls “inauthentic content,” in a move aimed at protecting the integrity of its platform and rewarding original creators.
The new guidelines will go into effect on July 15, 2025, and are expected to disqualify certain types of content from earning revenue.
The platform says the update is designed to ensure that monetized videos reflect original, authentic work. This aligns with YPP’s founding principle: only content that adds value through creativity and originality is eligible for monetization.
The move comes as YouTube faces a surge of re-uploaded and mass-produced content, often generated by third parties or through generative AI tools.
“YouTube has always required originality for monetization, but starting July 15, we’re refining our guidelines to better identify mass-produced, repetitive content,” the company wrote in a Google Support post.
Although the full policy update has yet to be officially published, a help page on YouTube’s site confirms that creators will be required to produce content that is both “original” and “authentic.”
Thus, videos that are repetitive, spam-like, or mass-produced will no longer qualify for monetization.
In the new term, YouTube is shifting from the term “repetitious content” to the broader and more targeted “inauthentic content.”
This change reflects the platform’s growing concern over the rise of AI-generated, low-effort videos that offer little to no creative input from human creators.
Importantly, YouTube clarified that not all AI-assisted content is banned. Creators can still use AI tools, as long as the final product remains original and creatively packaged.
The types of content at risk of losing monetization under the new policy include:
- Reused or Repurposed Video: Content featuring the same scripts or formats repeatedly uploaded.
- Copied Content: Direct, unaltered copies of someone else’s work with no creative input.
- Low-Effort Uploads: AI-generated videos with no editing, curation, or human involvement.
- Fully AI-Generated Content: Videos created entirely by artificial intelligence, lacking human creativity or value.
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YouTube warns that channels continuously posting inauthentic content may lose monetization privileges, and repeated violations could result in permanent removal from the Partner Program.
However, YouTube confirmed that its existing policy on reused content—such as reaction videos, commentary, or compilations—remains unchanged. These types of videos may still be monetized, provided they include meaningful commentary or transformation and are not simple reuploads.
YouTube describes the update as a “minor policy clarification,” not a major overhaul, but one that aims to clearly define what types of content qualify for revenue under its platform rules.
As access to generative AI becomes more widespread, YouTube is taking steps to ensure content quality and protect genuine creators.
The company says the policy will help maintain a platform filled with relevant, engaging content and ensure that those who invest time and effort into producing original videos are fairly rewarded.
(Raidi/ )
