Starting July 15, 2025, YouTube will roll out strict new rules for its monetization program. The platform is taking a stand against repetitive, mass-produced, and low-effort videos that have flooded the site in recent years. Creators who want to earn from their content will now have to prove their work is original and offers real value to viewers.
This update is part of YouTube’s effort to improve the quality of content on its platform and ensure advertisers feel confident placing their brands alongside videos. Many channels that rely on templated formats, AI-generated voices, or minimal editing are expected to feel the impact of these changes.
In an official statement, YouTube said, “To monetize as part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), creators have always been required to upload original and authentic content. Starting July 15, 2025, we are updating our guidelines to better identify mass-produced and repetitious content. This update better reflects what inauthentic content looks like today.”
For years, YouTube has struggled with content that offers little more than repeated templates or copied material. Now, the platform says it is determined to reward creators who invest time, creativity, and a human touch into their work.
YouTube’s updated monetization policy will make it harder for channels that simply borrow material from others without transforming it in a meaningful way. Videos that rely on changing playback speed, adding background music, or cropping visuals to appear “new” will no longer be considered original.
The platform also said that repetitive content will only qualify for monetization if it has a purpose beyond gaining views. “It must be entertaining or educational,” YouTube noted.
AI-generated content is also under the spotlight. While YouTube has not banned AI tools entirely, it made clear that videos built mostly by automated systems especially those using synthetic voices or visuals will face stricter reviews. “We recognize AI as a tool, but it cannot replace human creativity,” said a YouTube spokesperson in a conversation with Insider Gaming.
Channels that have relied on volume rather than quality could see their earnings drop. Aggregator channels that compile clips from other creators without adding their own insights, automated “faceless” channels, and those posting reaction videos with minimal commentary will be at the highest risk of demonetization.
“YouTube wants creators to bring their own voices, their own faces, and their own stories to their channels,” said a digital marketing expert. “This update is about making the platform feel more human again.”
To join or stay in the YouTube Partner Program, creators still need at least 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million valid Shorts views in 90 days. But the review process will now be stricter, with YouTube checking if the channel’s content is authentic and meets its new quality standards.
The rise of artificial intelligence and other automation tools has led to a flood of repetitive and low-effort videos on YouTube. Some forums even promote strategies like “monetize without showing your face,” which YouTube is now actively trying to discourage.
According to Statista, YouTube removed more than 9.5 million videos in the last quarter of 2024, many for being repetitive or inappropriate. With advertisers demanding higher-quality spaces for their ads, the platform is under pressure to clean up its content ecosystem.
After July 15, YouTube will use both AI systems and human reviewers to spot content that violates its updated rules. While the company has not shared details about penalties, experts believe channels could face demonetization of individual videos or even removal from YPP for repeated violations.
Creators will be able to appeal decisions, but they must show that their content is significantly transformed and provides genuine value to viewers.
For many YouTubers, this is a warning to rethink their strategies. Creators who focus on originality and human engagement are likely to benefit. Meanwhile, channels that rely on shortcuts could see their revenues vanish.
“This is a massive shift,” said tech YouTuber. “But for those of us already putting in the hard work, it might finally level the playing field. The days of faceless, mass-produced videos topping the charts could be over.”