"On Jan. 21, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan released a lengthy blog post about what creators can expect in 2026, outlining upcoming changes poised to drastically affect creator experiences on the platform. The changes show just how much YouTube is willing to flex to keep itself ahead of the game - whether that's competing with big streamers like Netflix and platforms like TikTok, cracking down on AI slop, or expanding upon the way creators can get paid."
"AI slop crackdown: Mohan's blog promised the platform would "reduce the spread of low quality AI content" this year. Since AI-generated content has become more easily accessible and scalable, YouTube has been inundated with a deluge of slop videos. Those videos threaten to drown out creators, not only because of the sheer volume at which they can be produced and uploaded, but because they can mimic certain types of popular content like explainers or histories."
The platform will reduce low-quality AI-generated content while investing in creator-facing AI tools that enable likeness-based Shorts, games, and music from simple text prompts. New sorting options for search results (upload date, view count, rating) will change discoverability and audience pathways. Monetization expansions will target vertical streaming and live services to increase revenue opportunities for creators. Enforcement against scalable AI "slop" has already begun, aiming to prevent churned-out content from drowning authentic creators. The combined measures prioritize creator visibility, diversify revenue, and position the platform competitively against streaming and short-form rivals in 2026.
Read at Digiday
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