YouTube has announced a new update to how AI-generated and AI-altered content will be labeled on its platform. According to the company, the changes are aimed at improving transparency for viewers while also simplifying the disclosure process for creators.
In a blog post published by the YouTube Team, the platform confirmed that labels for photorealistic AI-generated or AI-altered content will now appear in more visible positions across videos and Shorts. The rollout is expected to begin from May 2026.
Under the updated system, AI disclosure labels for long-form YouTube videos will appear directly below the video player and above the description section. Previously, such labels were less prominent and often placed deeper inside the description panel.
Meanwhile, for YouTube Shorts, the AI disclosure will appear as an overlay on the video itself. According to the company, the change is intended to make it easier for viewers to quickly understand whether realistic AI tools were used in creating the content.
YouTube said this new format will become the standard label for all “photorealistic and meaningfully AI altered or generated content” on the platform.
The company also clarified that unrealistic, animated, or only slightly modified content may continue to show disclosures inside the expanded description instead of the main viewing area.
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