AI-Generated Content Floods YouTube: New Users See 20% Low-Quality Videos

A new study reveals that more than 20% of the videos shown to new YouTube users are low-quality, AI-generated content, often referred to as 'AI slop.' This content is designed to farm views and generate significant revenue, with an estimated $117 million in annual earnings, according to a report by Kapwing, a video-editing company.

Key Findings of the Study

Kapwing surveyed 15,000 of the world's most popular YouTube channels and found that 278 of them contain only AI slop. These channels have amassed over 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers. The researchers also created a new YouTube account and discovered that 104 of the first 500 videos recommended to its feed were AI slop. One-third of the 500 videos were categorized as 'brainrot,' which includes AI slop and other low-quality content aimed at monetizing attention.

Global Impact and Popular Channels

The AI slop channels are globally distributed and watched. In Spain, 20 million people, nearly half the country’s population, follow these trending AI channels. In Egypt, they have 18 million followers, 14.5 million in the US, and 13.5 million in Brazil. Bandar Apna Dost, based in India, is the most-viewed channel in the study, with 2.4 billion views. It features the adventures of an anthropomorphic rhesus monkey and a muscular character modeled after the Incredible Hulk. Kapwing estimates the channel could make up to $4.25 million annually.

Targeting Children and Other Demographics

Other popular AI slop channels include Pouty Frenchie, based in Singapore, which has 2 billion views and targets children with storylines featuring a French bulldog. Cuentos Facinantes, based in the US, also targets children with cartoon storylines and has 6.65 million subscribers. The AI World, based in Pakistan, contains AI-generated shorts of catastrophic flooding, with titles like 'Poor People, Poor Family, and Flood Kitchen,' set to a relaxing rain, thunder, and lightning ambience soundtrack.

Industry Context and Monetization

The findings highlight a rapidly expanding industry that is saturating major social media platforms, including X, Meta, and YouTube. A Guardian analysis earlier this year found that nearly 10% of YouTube’s fastest-growing channels were AI slop, despite the platform’s efforts to curb inauthentic content. Rohini Lakshané, a researcher on technology and digital rights, notes that the popularity of these channels often stems from their absurdity, hyper-masculine tropes, and lack of plot, making them accessible to new viewers.

YouTube's Response

In response to the study, a YouTube spokesperson states that the platform has terminated one 'AI slop' channel identified in Kapwing’s study and removed others from its monetization programs. However, the semi-structured, growing industry of people using AI tools to monetize content continues to thrive. Max Read, a journalist, points out that there are large groups on Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and message boards exchanging tips and ideas, and selling courses on how to create engaging AI slop.

References

• More than 20% of videos shown to new YouTube users are ‘AI slop’, study finds | AI (artificial intelligence) | The Guardian