YouTube, the online video streaming platform, has updated its monetization policy. However, experts suggest that the impact won’t be as severe as some social media discussions have made it out to be, as reported by ‘The News’ on Sunday.
According to YouTube, this is a minor update to its “reused content” policy, aimed at clarifying what constitutes reused or “overly produced” content. The policy name has also been changed from “reused content” to “inauthentic content”.
Social Media Experts Weigh In
Talha Labib, a social media expert who runs a social media marketing agency and manages several YouTube channels, states that the news was overblown. “The content that YouTube wants to discourage already did not meet its monetization criteria under existing policies, as the platform only promotes creators who produce original and authentic content.”
He explained, “Some creators are concerned that this update would limit their ability to monetize their channels, but that is not the case. There are many YouTube channels that spread fake or inauthentic news or use inappropriate language. The platform regularly takes action against them and de-platforms them. So, it’s good that people will now be more careful while uploading the content.”
YouTube’s Clarification and New Guidelines
YouTube has posted a brief update on its YouTube Help page, stating that the platform updated its Partner Program monetization policies on July 15, 2025, to clarify its stance on inauthentic content. While the platform has always required original and authentic uploads, the new guidelines aim to better identify mass-produced and repetitive material that does not meet monetization standards.
Digital Marketeer and Content Specialist Anusha Asif pointed out that many YouTube channels use clips from other YouTubers for their videos or Shorts. “What is going to happen now is that such accounts will not be able to monetize their content.” However, she added that even original creators might feel the effects of the new policy. “If clips or content of an original channel is mass-produced, the channel itself could come under YouTube’s scrutiny and may be flagged. This could lead to a shutdown or a ban.”
While Labib believes such strikes are reversible and original creators can restore their accounts, Anusha argued that restored channels would take some time to regain their previous ranking.
AI-Generated Content and Future Challenges
When news broke about the YPP update, many initially feared it would demonetize all AI-generated repetitive content, often referred to as “AI slop.” For instance, some channels repeatedly post AI-generated videos that are nearly identical, often copied from similar creators.
Labib clarified that “while AI videos are still allowed under the new rules, the crackdown would be against deepfakes or other inappropriate content generated through AI.” He added that as creators increasingly use AI tools for their content, it’s crucial for them to provide proper disclosures about the use of this new technology to prevent the spread of misleading content.
Tech expert Shahrukh Malik offered a dual perspective. “As a consumer, I think [restricting AI-generated content] is great. Sure, there was a time when these videos were amusing but there is too much of them now.”
However, “as a content creator,” he said, “it does limit my options. A lot of people earned a lot of money from the videos that will now be restricted. Now they have to work harder in an already very competitive space. Also, this kind of starts a reinforcement learning-like war between content creators and YouTube. Creators will try to invent ways to circumvent this demonetization and YouTube will invent ways to capture their new ways.”
