Kamal Ghorui
YouTube is testing a new way to gauge how well videos do on its platform. Some users have reported that YouTube is asking them if a video looks like “AI slop” or “low-quality AI.” This is because the video could have been created quickly by a computer, rather than a person. YouTube is asking users what their thoughts are about these videos, so that it can recommend them better or remove them if they’re not helpful or fun.These survey questions appear directly in the app while people watch videos. Users are asked to rate the video from “Not at all” to “Extremely” based on how much it feels like AI-generated low-quality content. The feedback is part of YouTube’s effort to fight the rise of AI-generated spam videos that can fill up feeds and distract viewers. Studies show that over 20% of videos recommended to new users may qualify as AI slop, earning millions of dollars yearly despite low effort.
YouTube Tests AI Slop Ratings To Improve Video Quality
Videos that are considered AI slop refer to those that are repetitive, nonsensical, or created by artificial intelligence. YouTube has been trying to eliminate such content for a while, using AI tools to demote such low-quality content. At the same time, YouTube is providing AI tools to content creators, such as AI Shorts creation and dubbing. But critics say YouTube still struggles to catch all low-quality AI videos. CEO Neal Mohan has said the platform wants to balance AI innovation with quality and safety, including using labels for deepfakes.This new survey is not yet officially announced on YouTube’s blog. Reports about the testing have mostly come from creators sharing what they saw on X. The feedback system helps YouTube understand what viewers think about AI-generated content so it can improve its recommendations. Videos flagged as low-quality AI could appear less often or be removed from feeds.YouTube’s move shows that the platform is serious about fighting AI slop while keeping genuine content visible. The idea is to ensure that the people are getting videos that are interesting and creative. For now, the survey is shown to a limited number of users, but this may change in the future.
