Alarming Study Reveals: One in Five YouTube Videos for New Users is AI-Generated Junk
Did you know that a staggering 20% of the videos YouTube’s algorithm recommends to new users are what researchers call ‘AI slop’? These are low-quality, AI-generated videos designed solely to rack up views and cash in on ad revenue. But here's where it gets controversial: while YouTube claims to combat inauthentic content, these videos are thriving, amassing billions of views and millions of subscribers worldwide. And this is the part most people miss: this trend isn’t just a niche phenomenon—it’s a global, rapidly expanding industry reshaping how content is created and consumed.
A recent study by Kapwing, a video-editing company, analyzed 15,000 of the world’s most popular YouTube channels—the top 100 in every country. Shockingly, 278 of these channels contained nothing but AI slop. Collectively, these channels have garnered over 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers, generating an estimated $117 million annually. To put this in perspective, Kapwing created a new YouTube account and found that 104 of the first 500 recommended videos were AI slop. Even more concerning, one-third of these videos fell into the ‘brainrot’ category—content designed purely to monetize attention, regardless of quality.
These findings highlight a new era of content: decontextualized, addictive, and borderless. A Guardian analysis earlier this year revealed that nearly 10% of YouTube’s fastest-growing channels are AI slop, despite the platform’s efforts to curb such content. What’s truly eye-opening is the global reach of these channels. In Spain, nearly half the population follows trending AI channels, while Egypt, the US, and Brazil boast millions of subscribers each.
Take, for example, Bandar Apna Dost, an Indian channel with 2.4 billion views. It features absurd storylines—like a monkey and a Hulk-like character fighting demons on a tomato helicopter—that lack plot coherence but are oddly captivating. Rohini Lakshané, a researcher on technology and digital rights, suggests its popularity stems from its over-the-top absurdity and accessibility. Another example is Pouty Frenchie, a Singapore-based channel targeting children with 2 billion views, featuring a French bulldog’s adventures in candy forests. Meanwhile, The AI World in Pakistan generates AI-generated shorts of catastrophic flooding, set to soothing rain soundtracks, amassing 1.3 billion views.
But behind these bizarre videos is a semi-structured, growing industry. Max Read, a journalist specializing in AI slop, explains that creators often come from middle-income countries like India, Kenya, and Brazil, where YouTube earnings surpass local wages. However, it’s not all easy money. YouTube’s creator programs lack transparency, and the ecosystem is rife with scammers selling bogus tips for viral success.
Yet, for some, it’s a viable livelihood. The real driving force? Algorithms. As Read puts it, platforms like YouTube and Meta are massive A/B testing machines, where success hinges on scaling what works—not creativity. A YouTube spokesperson insists they prioritize high-quality content, but the data tells a different story.
Here’s the burning question: Is AI slop the future of content creation, or a symptom of platforms prioritizing engagement over quality? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
