YouTube to automatically label AI-generated videos

YouTube will begin automatically detecting and labeling AI-generated videos on its platform. This shows the new way the company will handle AI-generated content.

The new system moves beyond YouTube’s earlier approach, which relied mainly on creators to disclose when they used generative AI tools.

“If a creator doesn’t specify whether or not they used AI, but our systems detect significant photorealistic AI use, we will now automatically apply a label,” YouTube said in a blog post on Wednesday.

The platform first introduced AI disclosure rules in 2024. At the time, creators were asked to self-report realistic AI-generated or AI-altered content.

Since then, AI video tools have become far more advanced and accessible.

Models such as Veo 3.1 from Google and Seedance from ByteDance can now generate highly realistic videos and images that are increasingly difficult to distinguish from human-made content.

Under the updated system, YouTube will use internal detection tools to identify “significant photorealistic AI use” even if creators fail to disclose it.

Creators who believe their videos were incorrectly flagged will be able to challenge the labels through YouTube Studio.

However, the company said some labels may remain permanent. That includes videos created using YouTube’s own AI tools or content carrying C2PA metadata that confirms it was fully AI-generated.

The company is also making the labels more visible to viewers.

Previously, AI disclosures appeared mainly inside expanded video descriptions. Under the new system, labels for long-form videos will appear directly below the video player and above the description section.

For YouTube Shorts, the labels will appear as overlays on the videos themselves.

“The goal here is context at a glance. If it looks real but was made with AI, viewers will know immediately,” Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s head of editorial and creator liaison, said in a company video.

The company said the labels will not affect how videos are recommended or monetised.

“This is purely about giving viewers the right information at the right time,” Ritchie said.

This reflects the growing pressure on major platforms to improve transparency around AI-generated media.

Many online platforms are now flooded with synthetic images, videos, and audio. As AI systems improve, distinguishing between real and AI-generated content has become increasingly difficult.

Spotify recently introduced similar automatic AI labeling measures for music content.

Earlier this month, YouTube also expanded its likeness-detection programme to all adult creators. The tool allows users to detect and report AI-generated content that imitates their facial likeness without permission.