YouTube has strengthened its revenue generation policy for content utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). The platform will limit revenue from factory-style and edited content, as well as from AI avatars providing advice in sensitive fields such as healthcare and law. This move aims to curb the spread of low-quality content produced in bulk by generative AI.
According to the information and communications technology (ICT) industry on July 26, YouTube has revised the guidelines for its revenue generation program, the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), to clarify the criteria for monetizing low-quality AI content.
The new guidelines took effect on July 16. YouTube has restricted the use of AI to content that incorporates human creativity and plans to guide creators on how to adapt their use of AI tools in the future.
The YPP guidelines were established in response to the surge of indiscriminate low-quality AI content on the platform. While the use of AI technology is not entirely banned, YouTube has outlined three types of content that will be disqualified from earning ad revenue.
First, revenue generation will be limited for videos produced in a factory-like manner using AI, where the content is mechanically generated with little variation between videos. Second, content that is designed to provoke discomfort, such as staged animal rescue videos aimed at increasing views, will also be excluded from ad revenue eligibility, regardless of whether it is AI-generated.
Lastly, the use of AI in sensitive fields such as healthcare, finance, and law has been restricted. Channels featuring AI avatars that provide medical diagnoses, financial advice, or legal consultations will no longer be able to monetize their content.
Matt Halprin, YouTube's Vice President of Trust and Safety, stated, "While AI tools can assist creators in producing high-quality content, we will draw a strict line against automated channels that lack narrative structure and human creativity."
In July of last year, YouTube redefined its YPP guidelines, changing the term 'repetitive content' to 'inauthentic content' to address the issue of template-based videos being repeatedly uploaded for views and ad revenue. This includes similar narration videos with only minor content changes and slideshows produced with the same narration and format. However, YouTube has not banned the use of AI outright; creators can still monetize content that features original commentary or possesses narrative, educational, or entertainment value, even if AI is utilized.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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