YouTube is set to revise its monetisation guidelines, aiming to enhance oversight of content that is mass-produced. The company’s YouTube Partner Programme (YPP), which outlines monetisation policies, has long emphasized the importance of original and genuine content. With this latest update, YouTube plans to refine its ability to identify repetitive and mass-produced videos, potentially leading to a reduction in monetary rewards for such content. This policy change will take effect on July 15. The platform has yet to clarify what consequences will be faced by violators.
YouTube Tightens Monetisation for Repetitive Videos
The streaming service, owned by Google, disclosed plans to amend its monetisation rules through a support page. The updated policy will focus on pinpointing and assessing “mass-produced and repetitious content.” YouTube reiterated its long-standing demand for creators to share ‘original’ and ‘authentic’ material.
While the expectation for original content is not a new guideline, it has consistently been a key part of the platform’s monetisation policy, emphasizing that “If you’re making money on YouTube, your content should be original and authentic.”
Two core principles elaborate on this requirement, defining what constitutes mass-produced and repetitive content. The first principle specifies that creators must not use other people’s content unless they transform it significantly to establish it as their own.
The second principle addresses repetitive content, stating that videos must either entertain or educate viewers, rather than being designed solely to attract views. This includes clickbait, low-effort productions, and templated videos.
YouTube indicated that the updated monetisation policy is intended to more accurately capture the characteristics of inauthentic content in the contemporary landscape. This may encompass new trends employed by creators to boost views. Although not explicitly outlined, it’s possible that the new guidelines could also address AI-generated content, particularly videos where creators use AI voices to respond to other videos.
Importantly, the company has clarified that creators must adhere to minimum eligibility criteria to qualify for earning revenue from their videos. These requirements include having at least 1,000 subscribers and achieving either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million valid public views on Shorts within the last 90 days.
