Do I have to label AI on YouTube?
only when it looks real

When do you have to label AI on YouTube?

When it looks real. YouTube’s disclosure page says: “We require creators to disclose AI-generated or altered content that seems realistic.”

You must disclose AI content that, in YouTube’s words:

• “Makes a real person appear to say or do something they didn’t do.”
• “Alters footage of a real event or place.”
• “Generates a realistic scene that didn’t actually occur.”
• “Creates music that’s the main focus of the video.”

YouTube says this “could include content that is fully or partially altered or created using AI tools”.

What needs a label and what doesn’t?

These are YouTube’s own examples. Its lists are not complete, so judge new cases by the test above.

What about AI films and AI history channels?

Ask whether a viewer could take it for real. A photoreal AI short film of people in a scene that never happened fits “Generates a realistic scene that didn’t actually occur”, so it needs the label. An animated or obviously fantastical film does not.

Forum answers disagree, which is why people search this. In one r/aitubers thread, one reply says: “If you used AI to generate photos, or the script, or the voiceover - you must check that box!” Another: “You only are required to check the box if you show a realistic scene that did NOT happen.” YouTube’s page sides with the second on scripts, since script help is listed as not needing disclosure.

YouTube’s examples do not name realistic AI pictures of real historical events, but its headline rule, AI content “that seems realistic”, and its line “Realistic AI content and meaningful changes require disclosure” point to labelling them. The second commenter’s advice, that ticking the box “does not hurt anything”, matches what YouTube says about reach.

How do you add the AI label?

YouTube’s steps:

1. Go to YouTube Studio and start an upload.
2. In the Attributes section, under “AI use”, select Yes if your content meets the disclosure rules, or No if not.
3. Carry on with the other details.

Where the label shows depends on the content. For AI music or photorealistic content, “a label in the video player may also appear”. For non-photorealistic or animated AI content, and non-music AI audio, labels “may appear in the expanded description”.

Does the AI label hurt views or money?

No, says YouTube: “Disclosing AI content alone won’t limit a video’s audience or impact its eligibility to earn money.”

Earning is decided by different rules, which refuse templated, mass-produced AI content whether or not it is labelled. Our guide on monetising AI videos quotes them.

Can YouTube add the label for you?

Yes. YouTube may label a video automatically if it was made with YouTube’s own AI tools, “contains C2PA metadata”, or its systems detect AI. You get a notice in YouTube Studio when that happens.

If the automatic label is wrong you can usually switch AI use to No. You cannot change it for content made with YouTube’s AI tools, content with C2PA metadata, or content “labeled after manual review”.

What happens if you don’t disclose?

YouTube says creators “who consistently choose not to disclose” may get a label added by hand, “or penalties from YouTube, including removal of content or suspension from the YouTube Partner Program.”

Has the rule changed since 2024?

Yes, in its details. YouTube introduced it on 18 March 2024 as disclosure of “altered or synthetic content”. The help page is now titled “Disclosing use of GenAI content” and the setting is called “AI use”.

The 2024 post listed, under “Using the likeness of a realistic person”, “synthetically generating a person’s voice to narrate a video” as needing disclosure. Today’s page says cloning your own voice for voiceovers or dubs does not, and it names AI music as needing disclosure. Follow the current help page.