YouTube's NEW monetization policy update has gotten a lot of concern from creators...

It's understandable to be worried when media outlets and YouTube experts have been telling you that this update is bad. Not even YouTube's own correction can help the misunderstanding.

In case you don't know about the controversy, YouTube made an update to their repetitive content policy (now renamed inauthentic content). People assume this will affect reaction videos, no-name or no-voice channels, and more.

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TeamYouTube @TeamYouTube @Dexerto Not exactly.. to clarify, this is a minor update to our long-standing YPP policies to help us *better identify* when content is mass-produced or repetitive. This type of content has already been ineligible for monetization for years, and is content viewers often consider spam Dexerto @Dexerto YouTube is cracking down on ‘unoriginal’ content with a major monetization change Starting July 15, channels that do not meaningfully transform clips risk losing monetization. That includes reaction channels, compilation pages, and more 6:33 PM • Jul 2, 2025 365 Retweets 5239 Likes Read 335 replies

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This was all before the policy was updated on July 15th.

Now that the update is here, let's take a look 🧐

According to YouTube: "Inauthentic content refers to mass-produced or repetitive content. This includes content that looks like it's made with a template with little to no variation across videos, or content that's easily replicable at scale."

For example: Videos that read posts from Reddit while showing an unrelated video. Videos showcasing memes or compilations with a single text line or a voiceover that's only at the beginning of the video.

What's allowed under this policy (including but not limited to):

• Using the same intro and outro as long as the bulk of the video is different
• Similar content, where you talk about the different qualities of the topic (ex. Talking about different characters from the same series per video)
• Short clips of similar objects, edited together and explained how they're connected (ex. Showing clips of basketball players dunking and explaining how height is connected to dunking)

What's NOT allowed under this policy (including but not limited to):

• Content that exclusively features readings of materials you didn't make, such as Reddit posts, news feeds, etc.
• Songs with the pitch and/or speed changed, but otherwise is identical to the original (ex. Chipmunk version of a song)
• Similar repetitive content with low educational value, commentary, narratives, or minimal variation across videos
• Mass-produced content using a similar template across multiple videos
• Image slideshows or scrolling text with minimal or no narrative, commentary, or educational value

Is this the end of no-face, no-voice channels?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: If you've been giving value in your video, transforming the content to make it your own, then no.

If all you've been doing is making compilations of memes or dog videos without any commentary, then be rest assured. This has never been monetizable and has been in YouTube's policy even before this minor update.

Some people might see "commentary" and assume that if you don't use your voice, then your channel isn't monetizable. This is incorrect. Commentary can be both voice or text.

So what's the point of this update?

YouTube wants to make their points with more clarity. To help them better identify repetitive content.

Rene Ritchie, the Creator Liaison, even made a mythbuster on the monetization policy update 👇

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This has always been YouTube's policy, but people seems to have forgotten it until it was brought back into the limelight.

Goodbye Trending, hello Charts!

YouTube Trending was created back in 2015 to showcase viral videos from various fandoms. However, this meant the page would often be a cluster of multiple genres and can feel quite random.

The landscape of YouTube has also changed over the years, with viewers finding videos through Trending less and less and instead through recommendations and search suggestions.

Now, YouTube is shifting from Trending to Charts, a category-specific list of top buzz videos. Whether you're looking for the top music video, weekly podcast shows, or movie trailers, these will all have their own individual charts.

YouTube plans to expand Charts to more categories, like video games, in the future.

There's a chance that Hype might influence Charts as well, although Hype will have its own weekly list.

YouTube launces channel insight sharing with advertisers, brands, and platforms!

What this setting does is allow you to share your channel statistics, audience breakdown, and shopping performance to third-party advertisers. It's only available to YPP creators. You can find it in YT Studio under Settings. The option will be off by default.

Alongside this update, YouTube launched a new creator partnership hub for advertisers to better find creators to partner with. All creators within the YPP will be searchable, but only with general information.

If you turn on channel insights sharing, advertisers will have more information on whether your channel is the right fit for their product.

YouTube is rolling out title A/B testing!

It was a game changer when YouTube brought A/B testing into their system. Before, you had to use a third-party extension (which often cost money) to A/B test your thumbnails. Now, you can do it for free and with three thumbnails at the same time.

A/B testing is about to get even better with title testing!

Courtesy of VidIQ for the image and info:

Because YouTube's currently rolling this out to creators, you may or may not have gotten this update yet. If you've got it, then you'll be able to A/B test the title or thumbnail only, or both. This gives you a huge advantage in finding the perfect combo!

Hype is expanding, but is still in a limited beta.

Hype has expanded to 19 different countries including Indonesia, India, Taiwan, Mexico, and select EU countries.

As a reminder, Hype is a feature that empower fans with the ability to boost your newest video. This lets viewers know that your video is worth watching and helps it reach a new audience. Small creators will be rewarded with more points than bigger creators, as to even the playing field.

Fans can Hype at no cost in the select 22 countries. Currently, only Brazil and Turkey are testing paid Hype.

Hype is still in a limited beta, so if you're not a part of these three requirements, you won't be able to test this feature.

• You must be in the selected 22 countries
• You must be in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
• Your channel must be within the sub range of 500 - 500,000

Although YouTube has been slowly rolling this out this feature, it's still in beta and will probably continue to stay in beta for the rest of the year.

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