YouTube Updates Monetisation Rules for Repetitive, Mass-Produced Content
YouTube is set to tighten its monetisation policy beginning July 15, aiming to discourage the spread of mass-produced and repetitive content. The update will affect creators enrolled in the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP), which governs how content earns revenue on the platform. While the company has long emphasized original content, this change marks a more active effort to detect and limit earnings from low-effort or spammy videos.
According to a support page, YouTube will now more strictly identify and evaluate “mass-produced and repetitious content.” This includes material created solely for views, such as clickbait, templated videos, and other forms of content lacking originality. Although YouTube didn’t specify penalties, the platform indicated that such videos would likely see reduced monetisation.
Clearer Standards for Authenticity and Purpose
The revised policy outlines two key requirements for monetised content. First, creators must not simply reuse others’ content unless it is meaningfully transformed. Second, content must serve an educational or entertainment purpose not just generate views. These updates reflect YouTube’s intent to respond to evolving trends that exploit monetisation rules, including low-effort or automated formats.
In its existing guidelines, YouTube already states: “If you’re making money on YouTube, your content should be original and authentic.” This language reinforces the long-standing expectation that creators provide value beyond simple engagement tricks.
Eligibility Remains, but Expectations Rise
Importantly, the eligibility criteria for joining the YPP remain unchanged. Creators still need at least 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last year or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days. However, while meeting these metrics grants access to monetisation, creators will now face closer review of how they produce content.
The policy revision comes as YouTube, owned by Google, continues to combat misuse of its platform. Although the update didn’t mention AI specifically, the changes may indirectly affect creators using AI-generated voices or content reactions. YouTube said the goal is to better reflect what inauthentic content looks like today.
