YouTube made an important change for creators on July 15, 2025. They updated their rules about making money from videos. Now, only videos with original content, real human voices, and meaningful ideas can earn ad revenue. This step aims to stop low-quality, AI-generated videos and simple compilations from making money.
YouTube wants to protect the quality of content on its platform and focus on real creativity from humans. According to YouTube’s Creator Liaison, Rene Ritchie, this change is meant to reduce the amount of “low-quality AI content” and promote videos made by real people.
The new rules say that videos created by AI without any human input cannot make money. This includes videos that use computer-generated voices with stock images or scripts that are not well-edited. For example, videos that are just slideshows with repeating voiceovers or unedited collections will not be allowed to make money.
However, YouTube has clarified that videos such as commentary, reaction videos, or those that show unique editing or personal opinions can still earn ad revenue. This means there is no full ban on content that reuses clips, as long as it has original ideas.
YouTube made these changes because viewers and advertisers are tired of seeing too many low-quality videos showing up in their feeds. A report mentioned that repetitive videos, like those using synthetic voices with little creativity, reduce viewer interest and ad revenue.
With the new rules, YouTube aims to ensure that advertisers are happy by connecting their brands with high-quality content. They will use technology along with human reviewers to check for rule violations, and decisions may take up to 24 hours starting in March 2025. Channels that do not follow these new rules could lose their ability to earn from ads or be removed from the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), but they can appeal these decisions.
Creators who use AI correctly, such as for editing or brainstorming ideas, can still earn money as long as their content is creative. YouTube’s own AI tools are still allowed if they help add unique value to the videos.
The change also reflects wider trends in the industry, such as the U.S. NO FAKES Act, which deals with fake videos and synthetic media. YouTube will require creators to label any AI-generated content that looks realistic, especially in sensitive topics like news or elections.
The rules especially affect videos that do not have original commentary and rely heavily on unedited stock images. YouTube encourages creators to tell better stories and add a personal touch to their work.
Overall, YouTube wants to keep a balance between innovation and quality because low-quality videos can drive away viewers and advertisers. Community discussions on social media have clarified that this update is aimed at content that is already not allowed under existing rules.
Creators should focus on original storytelling and engaging their audiences to meet the new requirements. Experts suggest that good creators may have less competition since lower-quality channels might lose their ability to earn money.
The requirements to join the YouTube Partner Program, such as having 1,000 subscribers, 4,000 watch hours, or 10 million views on Shorts, remain the same. However, the process will now focus on how original the content is.
Creators could lose their earnings from ads, Super Chats, or memberships if their content is repetitive. It’s recommended for creators to use keywords wisely, interact with viewers in comments, and explore other ways to earn money through sponsorships.
