YouTube has clarified its monetisation policies for “inauthentic content,” outlining three types of videos that may not qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). The move is aimed at giving creators more clarity on the kind of repetitive and low-quality content that cannot earn ad revenue. The changes were discussed in a podcast hosted by Creator Insider Rene Ritchie with Matt Halprin, VP of Trust & Safety, YouTube.
The updated guidelines cover generic, repetitive or template-based content; off-putting or distressing content; and AI personas discussing sensitive topics such as health, finance, legal or medical issues.
The update does not change its underlying policy. Instead, it replaces the broader “inauthentic content” label with more specific categories to help creators understand what is allowed under YPP.
“There's no change in our underlying policy at all. I'm not here today to announce any kind of a new policy,” Halprin said in the video explaining the changes. “I'm here just to try to break it down a little more in detail to help creators understand what we allow and don't allow as it relates to YPP.”
The first category covers content made using templates with little variation from one video to another. The second includes content that attempts to attract views through emotionally manipulative or distressing situations, including repeated videos showing animals or minors in distress.
The third category covers AI personas discussing sensitive subjects. YouTube said AI personas may be allowed generally, but channels with AI-generated personas discussing topics such as finance, legal issues or health care may not qualify for YPP if they contain too much such content.
YouTube’s monetisation rules are separate from its Community Guidelines. While Community Guidelines determine what content can remain on the platform, YPP policies determine which channels can earn money through ads and other monetisation features.
The rules apply regardless of the tools used to make a video. “We are agnostic to what any tools that are used to create the content,” Halprin said, adding that the policies are independent of whether content is made using generative AI, CGI, stock footage or other tools.
AI can help creators produce more high-quality content and enhance creativity, but can also make it easier to produce large volumes of similar, generic videos. “The same technology really enables great stuff, but it also enables stuff that's kind of content farming,” Halprin said.
The creators should focus on originality, personal perspective, and variation between videos. Channels with large volumes of “cookie cutter” content and limited creativity may not be accepted into YPP or may lose access to monetization.
Creators whose YPP access is suspended have 21 days to appeal. If the suspension remains after an appeal, they can reapply after 90 days, with YouTube evaluating the channel based on its updated content.
