TITLE: Study Finds Over 20% of YouTube Videos for New Users Are AI-Generated 'Slop'

A recent study has uncovered the extent to which low-quality, AI-generated videos—termed 'AI slop'—dominate YouTube's recommendations for new users. Researchers from the video-editing company Kapwing analyzed 15,000 of the platform's most popular channels, the top 100 in each country, and determined that more than 20% of videos shown to newcomers are such content. This AI slop is designed primarily to maximize views and ad revenue through addictive, decontextualized formats.

The analysis identified 278 channels producing exclusively AI slop, which together have accumulated over 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers. Estimates suggest these channels generate approximately $117 million in annual revenue from advertising and other monetization sources. To assess recommendation patterns, the researchers created a new YouTube account and reviewed the first 500 videos suggested by the algorithm. Of these, 104 were AI slop, while one-third fell into the broader 'brainrot' category, encompassing low-effort content aimed at capturing attention.

This proliferation reflects a broader trend across social media platforms, including X and Meta, where AI tools enable rapid production of international, plotless content that prioritizes engagement over substance. Earlier investigations this year indicated that nearly 10% of YouTube's fastest-growing channels rely on AI slop, despite platform efforts to limit inauthentic material.

Global Reach and Popularity

The AI slop channels exhibit a worldwide distribution, with substantial followings in diverse regions. In Spain, 20 million subscribers—nearly half the population—engage with these channels. Egypt has 18 million followers, the United States 14.5 million, and Brazil 13.5 million. This global appeal stems from the content's accessibility: short, absurd narratives that require no prior knowledge, often featuring anthropomorphic animals or surreal scenarios.

One standout example is Bandar Apna Dost, an India-based channel with 2.4 billion views. It depicts adventures of an anthropomorphic rhesus monkey alongside a Hulk-like figure battling demons and using improvised vehicles, such as a tomato helicopter. Revenue estimates for this channel reach $4.25 million annually. Experts attribute its success to elements of absurdity, hyper-masculine themes, and lack of narrative continuity, making it easy for casual viewers to jump in.

Another prominent channel, Pouty Frenchie from Singapore, has garnered 2 billion views and targets children with tales of a French bulldog exploring candy forests and consuming crystal sushi, accompanied by children's laughter soundtracks. It is projected to earn nearly $4 million per year. Similarly, Cuentos Facinantes, operating from the United States, focuses on cartoon stories for young audiences and holds 6.65 million subscribers, the highest in the study.

Channels also explore darker themes. The AI World, based in Pakistan, features AI-generated shorts of flooding disasters with titles like 'Poor People, Poor Family' and 'Flood Kitchen,' set to relaxing rain and thunder audio for sleep. This channel has 1.3 billion views, highlighting how AI slop can blend catastrophe with soothing elements to retain viewers.

The AI Slop Ecosystem

Behind these channels lies a burgeoning industry of creators leveraging AI tools to monetize platforms efficiently. Communities on Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and forums share strategies, sell courses, and identify 'niches' for viral potential, such as videos of exploding pressure cookers. While creators are spread globally, many originate from middle-income countries with strong internet access and online freedoms, including Ukraine, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Brazil, and Vietnam. In these areas, YouTube earnings often exceed median wages.

However, the ecosystem presents challenges. Platform monetization programs, like those on YouTube and Meta, lack transparency regarding payments and eligibility. Scammers abound, profiting more from selling 'viral content' guides than from producing slop itself. Despite these hurdles, AI slop offers a viable income stream for some, fueled by algorithms that act as massive A/B testing environments.

Journalists tracking the phenomenon note that success hinges less on human creativity and more on scaling what performs well. Platforms' vast content libraries mean creators must replicate and amplify trending formats—producing multiples of engaging ideas—to sustain growth. This algorithmic favoritism perpetuates the cycle, as low-effort content floods feeds and shapes user experiences.

YouTube's scale complicates measurement. The platform does not disclose total annual views or the AI content proportion, making it difficult to gauge AI slop's overall dominance. Yet, the snapshot from Kapwing underscores a shift toward automated, addictive media that transcends borders and defines online consumption.

Platform Response and Implications

YouTube maintains that generative AI is a neutral tool capable of producing both high- and low-quality output. A spokesperson emphasized the platform's commitment to surfacing valuable content, irrespective of creation method, while enforcing community guidelines. Violations, including policy breaches by inauthentic material, result in removals.

Critics argue that current measures fall short, as AI slop evades detection by mimicking legitimate formats. The content's international nature and rapid generation exacerbate enforcement difficulties. Researchers on technology and digital rights warn that unchecked proliferation could erode platform trust, prioritizing quantity over quality and fostering 'brainrot' that desensitizes users to substantive information.

As AI tools advance, the line between authentic and generated content blurs, raising questions about content moderation, creator accountability, and the future of digital media. For now, AI slop's financial success—$117 million across studied channels—signals its entrenched role, prompting calls for enhanced transparency and algorithmic reforms to balance innovation with integrity.