YouTube’s new monetization shake-up
Hello beautiful people,
Today I want to share with you the new YouTube changes effective July 15, 2025.
This is the official announcement https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1311392?hl=en, but after checking several sources, I compiled my findings.
What’s Actually Changing?
- Repetitive content gets a name: it’s now officially “inauthentic content”a new label for mass-produced, templated, or AI-overused videos
- The YPP (YouTube Partner Programme) thresholds remain untouched: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours (or 10 M Shorts views) are still the golden gates to monetization
- Template clips, stock videos, AI-generated voiceovers - if they’re not actually transformed, now face stricter screening
- Reaction, commentary, or compilation content are still valid, as long as you add your own spice! .
- AI tools aren’t banned, but lazy AI? That’s another story, must be counter balanced with human creativity
- YouTubers hit with “limited ads” get a second look, possibly human-review land!
Pros: Why You Should Cheer
- Quality over quantity = your unique content shines
- AI + creativity = monetizable magic - Use AI for animation or flow, but wrap it in your voice and narratives
- Reader trust = ad dollars - YouTube’s cherry-picking for genuine videos boosts viewer + advertiser confidence
- “Low-effort farms” get priced out - your niche, heartfelt content will get more discoverability and revenue love
Cons: Be Aware
- Compilations and Reaction Channels face higher scrutiny - needs more commentary, analysis
- Pure AI channels risk demotion - if it looks like a robot made it, the robots might take your ad revenue!
- Smaller creators worry - fear vague “inauthentic” enforcement, though YPP requirement hasn’t changed
- More review steps = slower monetization - expect helpline queues and appeals if your video is flagged
Who Wins & Loses?
Original vloggers - Yes. Their authentic content becomes even more valuable.
Skill-based channels - Yes. Tutorials, deep dives = promotional gold.
AI-farmed channels - Likely no. Pure AI = risk of demonetization.
Commentary/Reaction - Maybe. Still valid, but must be enhanced.
Compilation uploaders - Maybe. Needs heavy transformation.
How to Win the Game
- Sprinkle Personality - Add voice‑overs, face-cam, humour, real takes.
- Transform, don’t repurpose - If you’re reusing footage, remix it with insight, emotion, or critique.
- Use AI, but earn it - AI scenic edits or script drafts are fine, if you own it vocally.
- Audit your backlog - Delete or rework borderline content.
- Build community - Tell stories, ask questions, spark chats.
- Watch YouTube channels/socials - Follow official clarifications.
Repurpose Content
Think: Turn that compilation into a “Why I chose these moments” breakdown. Convert AI-generated listicles into video essays with your personal punchlines. Remix old tutorials into “behind-the-scenes” production vlogs. Don’t reuse, reinvent.
Final Punchline
YouTube’s July 15 update isn’t an apocalypse, it’s a creative revolution. It yoyos low-effort uploads out and lights the stage for thoughtful creators. If you make authentic videos, with personality and purpose, congrats, you’re about to become even more visible. If you rode the AI wave, it’s time to bring on your human flair, your voice, your vision.
What do you think about YouTube’s 2025 monetization makeover?
Are you excited to level up your originality game, or feeling the heat from the new rules?
Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Best,
Maria
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Recent Comments
40
Good morning Maria,
I must admit that overall, this sounds like a good move by YouTube, I guess time will tell. I really think it's good that YouTube supports genuine and real content, rather than contents that's just put up for the sake of it.
Have a great day.
Roy
Hey Roy,
Indeed, it seems like a good move to support real content and as you said: time will tell.
Have a great day,
Maria
Good morning Maria,
I do feel it's always good when platforms like YouTube and google, etc, value quality content that gives genuine information and has a real person. Let's see what happens.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Roy
Good morning Nick,
Thank you! Great minds think alike!
I am in Greece, Nick and loving every second of it! How are you doing, Sir, I hope all is well?
I'm in a place that's two minutes walk from the beach, which is great, plenty of places to eat, etc. The place I am renting has air conditioning, although, it seems to keep quite cool anyway. If you're going somewhere warm, I do think it's important to be able to have a place to cool down and be comfortable.
To be fair, it hasn't been silly hot, they are talking about it being warmer next week, but I do think sometimes the weathermen like to exaggerate the weather, to go with their man-made, moneymaking, climate change agenda!!
I find if I am too hot, I can't work particularly efficiently. To be fair, even back in the UK, my home office can get quite warm at times, which doesn't always lead to efficient working, which isn't clever! So, all in all, having a great time and doing a bit of work at the same time.
I think next week, although I will still be a, I might have to get into slightly more serious work mode!
Wishing you a fantastic day.
Roy
Hello Roy,
Indeed, let's wait and see how this change is working in our advantage.
Enjoy your time in Greece and take as much vitamin D as you can :)
Have a nice weekend as well :)
Best,
Maria
Good morning Maria,
Time will tell, I guess!
Thank you for the good wishes, it's appreciated.
Greece is always good, especially this time of year.
Have a great day.
Roy
Good morning Maria,
It's a pleasure!
That's good, Maria, I don't know really what a Swedish summer is like, my guess is that it may be quite warm, but quite short. Anyway, make the most of the good weather.
Have a wonderful day.
Roy
Oh I been called this a few years ago. I said to people even here that Ai would over saturate the markets. For this reason alone is why I just use Ai as a research tool and recently for "unique" pictures that is part of the content that I create. Im not even down with the whole Ai videos.
I like real and authentic content that is not Ai driven OR heavily influenced. I knew YouTube would lose a chunk of its core audience if everything was just Ai this or that. The markets is over saturated and will correct itself as it has in YouTube instance. Although the issues facing YouTube has more to do with their policies that are in some ways outrageous then Ai video take overs.
Just my two cents...
Yes, Shakida, I'm with you in this.
I also use AI to generate unique images based on my content, but for videos, I create them, no fancy AI tool. I admit that I tested few of them, at least the free versions, but the output is "cold", if I can say so.
I still find video creation time consuming, but there is no other way if I want to stand out.
I think with video creation I would need to take day to gather up everything and to edit. Im working on one video now and it is truly time consuming
I hear you, Shakida. I was there, but now I have a bit more experience. I'd say, in time, it will become easier.
Ah, okay. I'm not yet that active on YouTube or TikTok, but this is good to know. Let's see what happens from today onwards. Thanks for sharing these updates.
John
Yes Maria, I’m aware of the new YouTube update, it’s a really good step. I like that YouTube is focusing more on real, original content and putting some limits on repetitive AI stuff. Feels like a positive change for creators who are actually putting in the effort.
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Wow, Maria — thank you for such a detailed and insightful breakdown! 🙌
I actually hadn’t gone through the official page yet, but your summary makes things really clear. I totally agree — this update feels less like a punishment and more like a push towards true creativity. It's great to see YouTube finally drawing a line between genuine content and “lazy” mass-produced stuff.
I’ve been experimenting with Shorts and AI voiceovers lately, but now I know I’ll need to double down on adding personal commentary and real storytelling. It’s a good reminder that authenticity still wins.
I’m curious to see how quickly the new review systems will work, especially for small creators like us. Fingers crossed that human reviews help more than hurt.
Thanks again for putting this together. It’s posts like this that keep us ahead of the curve 🙏