Shocking Rise of AI Content on YouTube
A recent study shows that AI tools produce over 20% of the videos shown to new YouTube users, filling their feeds with so-called “slop.” This alarming statistic has raised the alarm for many. Once considered an internet curiosity, AI-generated video content has now become mainstream. Unlike previous years, when AI-generated video content occupied a small corner of the platform, today it constitutes the majority of video content seen by millions of new YouTube users, due in large part to YouTube’s recommendation system, which promotes and massively distributes AI-generated video content to new users via their home feeds.
The Kapwing Study
In an effort to better understand the growing prevalence of AI-generated video content, Kapwing conducted an extensive study of 15,000 popular YouTube channels, yielding several surprising findings. Researchers discovered 278 YouTube channels dedicated entirely to posting extremely low-quality video content produced by artificial intelligence without any contribution from human creativity or creativity enhancement.
These channels have not had any difficulty gaining viewers. Collectively, they achieved billions of total video views and tens of millions of total subscribers. This indicates that content created by artificial intelligence has moved far beyond being a niche or beta product, as AI-generated video content accounts for a major share of users’ viewing time. New YouTube users will encounter AI-generated video footage as part of their introduction to YouTube.
A recent Kapwing-backed study found that over 20% of videos shown to new YouTube users come from AI-generated slop channels. One India-based YouTube channel, Bandar Apna Dost, reportedly tops global view counts and earns around ₹38 crore annually, despite relying on surreal, AI-generated visuals and repetitive formats. These videos focus more on scale than storytelling. Their success shows how AI slop thrives through algorithmic amplification rather than creative depth.
What Counts as AI Slop?
The content created via AI has certain common characteristics. A large number of the videos produced utilize odd ways of expressing the narrative. This includes videos with recognizably anthropomorphic fauna and videos featuring humanoids who have abnormally human characteristics. Others take advantage of story and theme redundancy/surrealism.
While these videos typically lack depth and narrative strength, they attract attention fast due to the fact that people are attracted to strange/unique images. Continuous creation of this type of content has allowed them to build an audience.
As a consequence of the continued creation of this type of content, the viewer develops a growing familiarity with this type of content, and this familiarity can impact their idea of what constitutes “popular” content on YouTube. As AI systems evolve rapidly, debates over which models lead the industry, like ChatGPT vs. Gemini, also shape how creators and platforms use these technologies.
How the Algorithm Amplifies AI Content
YouTube’s algorithm is known for promoting engagement. The algorithm uses watch time, clicks, and retention as metrics to determine how well videos perform. Videos produced by creators using artificial intelligence typically have a high level of engagement for these metrics.
AI creators can create videos more quickly than traditional creators, and they can optimize them through testing at a greater scale compared to traditional creators. In addition, AI-generated videos typically have unique visuals that can help maintain viewer interest for longer periods of time.
As the algorithm detects this behavior from viewers, it will begin promoting additional videos with similar content or style. This cycle allows the YouTube algorithm to promote AI-generated content faster than human-made videos, creating a direct link between the platform’s recommendations and AI-generated videos.
Implications for Viewers and Creators
- The effect on viewers is that the content is reduced in diversity. They have to watch the same videos several times. AIs make the videos. It is then a part of it.
- For the creators, this means that visibility becomes disproportionate. AIs can post nonstop. But it is impossible for human creators.
- Etiquette issues can also arise. There is a possible need for protection pertaining to creativity and cultural significance.
YouTube Tightens Monetization Rules for AI Videos
AI content does not have a blanket ban on YouTube; however, the amount of money that can be made from monetizing content created by AI without significant human intervention is limited.
- For a video to qualify for monetization, there should be evidence of significant human involvement (examples include narration or commentary, analysis, and/or creative editing).
- If a creator uses only AI tools and adds no meaningful human input, YouTube may remove the video’s monetization eligibility.
- In addition, repetitive or mass-distributed (or created using repetitive methods or tools) video content is likely to result in the video being demonetized.
- Creators should not create content only to “tick the algorithm” box. Videos intended to inform or entertain should reflect the creator’s unique perspective and creativity.
- Videos that consist of personal perspective, storytelling, and transformation are more likely to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program.
- A channel that repeatedly produces and uploads unoriginal AI-generated content risks being removed from the program and losing its monetization rights.
Ethical concerns also emerge. Platforms may need clear AI labeling and stronger safeguards to protect creativity and cultural integrity. As AI content continues to proliferate, YouTube has also begun updating its approach to regulation, explored in detail in our breakdown of YouTube’s AI-generated videos policy update.
For more details on YouTube’s updated monetization requirements, see the official YouTube Partner Program guidelines.
AI Videos Are Here to Stay, But Quality Matters
Today, AI content dominates over 20% of the feeds of new subscribers to YouTube and will continue to grow. Success, but it should not be content growth, but rather quality.
This means that audience members must ask questions about what they are watching and why it is in their feeds. Social media sites need to consider how they are promoting their recommendations. In other words, the rise of AI slop might draw more attention than it did to creativity.
The future will depend on a good balance. Innovation in AI must be combined with human intelligence in order to improve the process of content creation. More importantly, quality must be at the forefront.
