YouTube is implementing an important policy update, aiming to strengthen its crackdown on "non-original" content. This update will specifically target "garbage content" that is easily generated through artificial intelligence technology, such as mass-produced videos and repetitive content. To protect the quality of content on the platform, YouTube will update its Partner Program (YPP) revenue policy on July 15th, clearly defining which types of content can generate income for creators.

Although the specific terms of the new policy have not been publicly disclosed, YouTube's help documentation states that creators have always been required to upload "original" and "authentic" content. This update aims to help creators better understand the standards for "non-original" content today. Some creators have expressed concerns that this may limit their ability to profit from certain types of videos, such as reaction videos or editing videos. However, Rene Ritchie, YouTube's Creative Director, stated that this change is a "minor update," mainly to better identify content that is mass-produced or repetitive.

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Notably, Ritchie mentioned that such content has not met the eligibility for revenue for years because audiences often regard it as garbage content. Now, with the rapid development of AI technology, YouTube is flooded with many low-quality AI-generated contents, such as images and videos synthesized using text-to-video tools with AI voices. Some channels have accumulated millions of subscribers by relying on AI music, and some fake AI-generated videos have quickly attracted millions of views.

For example, a true crime series that went viral on YouTube was completely generated by AI. In addition, the portrait of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan was once used in AI-generated phishing scams on the platform, although YouTube already has tools to report deepfake videos.

Although YouTube refers to this update as a "minor adjustment" or "clarification," allowing such content to thrive and its creators to profit could damage YouTube's reputation and value. Therefore, it is foreseeable that YouTube hopes to take measures through clear policies to prohibit these AI garbage content creators from participating in the revenue program.