YouTube's New Monetisation Rules From July 15: What Content Creators Need To Know

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YouTube is rolling out a major update to its monetisation policy starting 15 July 2025, targeting low-effort and repetitive content. The changes are part of the platform’s efforts to enhance content quality and protect authentic creators. These updates to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) aim to tackle channels that reuse content without meaningful changes or rely on templated formats, especially those involving AI-generated voices or clickbait tactics.


Here’s what the new policy means for content creators and how it could affect monetisation moving forward.

Monetisation Eligibility Remains the Same


While the updated rules bring changes to content standards, the basic eligibility criteria for joining the YPP remain unchanged. To monetise content on YouTube, creators must still have:


  • At least 1,000 subscribers, and
  • Either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million valid Shorts views in the past 90 days.

This ensures that only channels with genuine engagement and consistent output are allowed to earn revenue.

Stricter Content Quality Standards


The biggest shift lies in how YouTube defines monetisable content. Two major points now determine if your content can earn revenue:


  1. Reused or borrowed content must be “significantly transformed” through editing, commentary, or original input.
  2. Repetitive content (like AI-read scripts or slideshow videos) must provide educational or entertainment value beyond just garnering clicks.

This is likely to affect creators who rely heavily on AI narration, minimal editing, or recycled footage.

AI and Clickbait Content at Risk


The update is seen as a direct response to the rising wave of AI-generated content flooding the platform. Channels that publish automated videos using robotic voices, text-to-speech tools, or generic stock footage without original commentary are at risk of losing monetisation. Similarly, clickbait videos with misleading thumbnails or templated styles are now under scrutiny.

Uncertainty Over Penalties


While the new guidelines are stricter, YouTube has not clearly outlined penalties for non-compliance. There is no confirmation of channel strikes, bans, or demonetisation warnings in the official announcement. However, the company did mention that these updates are part of a broader strategy to promote authenticity and creative effort on the platform.

Why the Change?


YouTube says the updated policy is designed to better reflect current content trends and address the surge in low-quality, inauthentic videos. The move is also expected to improve viewer experience and ensure that advertisers are matched with high-value, trustworthy content.


YouTube’s revised monetisation rules represent a clear message: quality matters. As AI tools become more accessible, the platform is setting boundaries to distinguish between genuine creativity and automated content farms. For creators, this is a signal to focus on original storytelling, meaningful edits, and authentic voice to maintain their monetisation status and grow their audience.