YouTube AI Disclosure Labels 2025: Complete Guide

Last updated: October 17, 2025. YouTube AI Disclosure Labels 2025 – This is informational, not legal advice.

TL;DR

• You must disclose when your video contains meaningfully altered or synthetically generated content that looks realistic (easily mistaken for a real person/place/event). Use the “Altered or synthetic content” field during upload in YouTube Studio.
• Labels appear in the “How this content was made” section of the description; for sensitive topics (health, news, elections, finance), YouTube may show more prominent labels on the player.
• YouTube can apply a label itself if you don’t disclose, and it can take action for undisclosed synthetic content that risks harm.
• Not required: clearly unrealistic or minor edits (e.g., color grading, beauty filters) and productivity uses like using AI for scripts/ideas/captions.
• Monetization note (July 15, 2025): YouTube refined YPP to emphasize “inauthentic” (mass-produced/repetitive) content is not eligible for ads AI is fine when content is original and adds value.

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What You Must Label in 2025

Realistic AI or Altered Media (mandatory disclosure)

You must turn on the disclosure if your content (fully or partially) does any of the following:

• Makes a real person appear to say or do something they didn’t do (e.g., deepfake or convincing voice clone).
• Alters footage of a real event or place in a way a viewer could mistake as real.
• Generates a realistic-looking scene that didn’t actually occur (e.g., photoreal CGI staged as news).

Where to disclose: In YouTube Studio, set “Altered or synthetic content” in the upload workflow (Desktop or mobile Studio). A disclosure label will then show on the video’s page.

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What You Don’t Have to Label

• Unrealistic or obviously fictional visuals (cartoons, clearly stylized VFX).
• Inconsequential/typical edits like color correction, beauty filters, or speed changes.
• Process-only uses of AI, such as script drafting, brainstorming, or auto-captions.

Tip: When in doubt, ask: Could an average viewer mistake this for real? If yes, disclose.

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Where the Label Shows

• Default placement: in the “How this content was made” area of the expanded description.
• Extra prominent on-video label for sensitive topics (health, news, elections, finance).

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Enforcement & Penalties for Non-Disclosure

• If you don’t disclose, YouTube may add the label itself and take further action to reduce harm.
• Monetization isn’t guaranteed: as of July 15, 2025, YouTube clarified YPP to reduce inauthentic/mass-produced uploads (often an issue with low-effort AI). You can still monetize AI-assisted videos when they’re original and add clear transformative value.

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How to Disclose (Step-by-Step)

1. Open YouTube Studio → Upload your video/Short.
2. In the Details step, find “Altered or synthetic content” and toggle it on if your video contains realistic AI/altered media.
3. Save/Publish. The disclosure will appear automatically; for sensitive topics, YouTube may show a stronger in-player label.

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Edge Cases Creators Ask About

Realistic AI voices & face swaps

• If a real person’s voice/likeness is synthetically generated in a realistic way, disclose. Viewers should not be misled.

Using YouTube’s own AI tools (e.g., DreamScreen)

• Videos made with YouTube’s generative AI may have a label added automatically in “How this content was made.”

Viewers harmed by undisclosed deepfakes

• Individuals can request removal of AI content that realistically simulates their face or voice via YouTube’s privacy request process.

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Why YouTube Introduced These Labels

YouTube’s goal is creator innovation with viewer trust making it clear when something looks real but is synthetic. The company first previewed the policy in late 2023, with a full rollout through 2024–2025 (Studio tool + labels + privacy protections).

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FAQ

1) Do I have to label AI voiceover narration?

If it’s just an AI narrator and no real person is being convincingly mimicked, disclosure may not be required. But if you clone a real person’s voice (sounds real), disclose.

2) Do I need to label B-roll that’s AI-generated?

If the B-roll is realistic (viewers could think it’s genuine footage of a place/event), disclose. If it’s clearly stylized/fictional, you generally don’t.

3) I used AI to write the script and clean audio label?

No. Productivity uses like scripting, ideas, or auto-captions don’t require disclosure.

4) What happens if I don’t label?

YouTube can apply a label for you and take action to reduce harm; repeat or harmful deception can impact eligibility and enforcement.

5) Can AI-heavy channels still monetize?

Yes if videos are original and add transformative value. As of July 15, 2025, “inauthentic” (mass-produced/repetitive) content remains ineligible for YPP monetization.

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Related reading on aihika.com (add this box at the bottom)

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Sources

• Help Center — Disclosing use of altered or synthetic content (what to label; Studio workflow; examples). Google Help
• YouTube Blog (Mar 18, 2024) — How we’re helping creators disclose altered or synthetic media (not required for productivity/unrealistic). blog.youtube
• How YouTube Works — AI page (prominent labels on sensitive topics). YouTube
• Help Center — Understanding “How this content was made” disclosures (YouTube may add labels; automatic labels via YouTube’s own AI tools). Google Help
• Help Center — Channel monetization policies (July 15, 2025 update—“inauthentic content”). Google Help
• Help Center — Protecting your identity (request removal of AI-simulated face/voice). Google Help