Starting July 15, 2025, YouTube will implement major changes to its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), signaling a strong shift toward rewarding originality.
In a move that’s set to impact thousands of content creators, the platform will no longer monetize AI-generated voices, reused content, or low-effort compilations.
Instead, only creators producing original content with real human voices will be eligible for monetization.
The update is YouTube’s latest effort to tackle the rising flood of AI-generated videos that offer little to no added value.
According to YouTube, the change is designed to prioritize authentic, high-quality content while maintaining the trust of both advertisers and viewers.
“We want to ensure our platform rewards creators who put in genuine effort and bring unique perspectives,” said a YouTube spokesperson in an internal release.
What’s Changing?
Effective July 15, creators must meet the following updated content standards to remain monetized under the YouTube Partner Program:
Affected Content Includes:
Videos using AI-generated or synthetic voices
Reused or repurposed content without significant transformation
Low-effort compilations that lack originality
Faceless or automated videos offering minimal human input
How Creators Can Stay Monetized
If you’re a content creator on YouTube, now is the time to pivot your strategy. To remain eligible for monetization:
Use your real, human voice in videos
Produce unique, creative, and authentic content
Add value through commentary, storytelling, or editing
Avoid AI-generated or recycled material
YouTube is encouraging creators to be genuinely involved in their content creation, engaging with audiences through personal perspectives, insights, and creativity.
This update also addresses growing concerns from advertisers about brand safety and content quality. By tightening these rules, YouTube is aiming to ensure a more trustworthy, human-driven content ecosystem.
YouTube Monetization Criteria (As of July 2025)
To qualify for monetization under the YouTube Partner Program, a channel must meet the following:
A channel must have 1,000 subscribers or above
4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months
or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days
Two-step verification enabled
No active Community Guidelines strikes
Adherence to content quality standards, now including:
Use of real voices, not AI-generated ones
Originality and clear human contribution to the video
Avoidance of reused, repetitive, or low-effort content
By Dennis milimo
