YouTube required disclosure for realistic AI-altered content

What this means for creators

If a channel uploads realistic synthetic content (face swaps, voice clones, altered footage of real events), disclosure is required at upload. The label adds transparency but does not by itself block monetization, and clearly stylized animation, beauty filters, and color adjustments do not require disclosure.

YouTube introduced a disclosure tool in YouTube Studio for realistic altered or synthetic content, including generative AI. The disclosure applies when viewers could easily mistake a person, place, scene, or event for something real.

Disclosure is required for examples such as face swaps, synthetic voice narration, altered footage of real places or events, and realistic depictions of fictional major events. Disclosure is not required for clearly unrealistic content, animation, production assistance like script ideas or automatic captions, color adjustments, lighting filters, background blur, vintage effects, or beauty filters.

For most videos, the label appears in the expanded description. Videos about sensitive topics like health, news, elections, or finance also get a more prominent on-player label, and YouTube may add a label itself when undisclosed altered or synthetic content could confuse or mislead people.