Hajra Naz
Low-quality AI-generated content is increasingly dominating social media, with YouTube emerging as a key platform for this phenomenon. A recent study shows that more than 20% of the videos recommended to new YouTube users fall into the category known as “AI slop”—content created primarily to farm views rather than provide meaningful entertainment or education.
This trend reflects a growing global industry that is monetizing AI at scale, generating an estimated $117 million annually across hundreds of channels.
What Is “AI Slop”?
AI slop refers to low-quality, machine-generated content designed to capture attention and generate revenue. These videos often include:
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Cartoonish or absurd storylines
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Automated narrations or text-to-speech
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Looping animations or AI-generated characters
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Highly shareable but low-value content
In essence, AI slop prioritizes virality and algorithmic engagement over substance, often relying on chaotic visuals, catchy audio, or shock value to maintain viewer retention.
Key Findings from Kapwing’s Study
The video-editing company Kapwing surveyed 15,000 top YouTube channels, analyzing the top 100 in every country, and uncovered:
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278 channels consist entirely of AI slop
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These channels have over 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers
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Estimated annual revenue is $117 million
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In tests with a new YouTube account, 104 of the first 500 recommended videos were AI slop
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One-third of the 500 videos were classified as “brainrot,” a mix of AI slop and other low-quality monetized content
The study highlights the global and rapidly expanding nature of AI-generated low-quality videos, which are now saturating platforms from YouTube to Meta to X (formerly Twitter).
The Global Reach of AI Slop
AI slop channels have widespread international audiences:
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Spain: 20 million followers on trending AI channels (almost half the country)
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Egypt: 18 million followers
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United States: 14.5 million followers
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Brazil: 13.5 million followers
Some notable examples include:
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Bandar Apna Dost (India): 2.4 billion views, features absurd adventures of an anthropomorphic monkey and Hulk-like character; estimated annual revenue $4.25M
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Pouty Frenchie (Singapore): 2 billion views, targets children with whimsical adventures, estimated annual revenue nearly $4M
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Cuentos Facinantes (US): 6.65 million subscribers, children’s cartoon storylines, the most-subscribed AI slop channel in the study
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The AI World (Pakistan): AI-generated shorts of disasters, often paired with relaxing ambient sounds; 1.3 billion views
Researchers suggest that the success of channels like Bandar Apna Dost stems from absurdity, hyper-masculine tropes, and plot simplicity, making the content highly accessible to new viewers.
Monetization and the AI Slop Economy
AI slop creators generate revenue through advertising and platform monetization programs. The industry is supported by online communities and courses, where users share strategies for creating viral AI content.
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Many creators are from middle-income countries with strong internet access, such as India, Ukraine, Nigeria, Kenya, Brazil, and Vietnam
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These creators often earn more than they would in local jobs, making AI slop a viable source of income
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However, transparency issues persist: platform payment structures are unclear, and scammers selling AI content courses can out-earn actual content creators
How Algorithms Drive AI Slop
Algorithms on platforms like YouTube and Meta are central to the spread of AI slop:
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Platforms operate as massive A/B testing machines, continuously evaluating content performance
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Even minimal engagement improvements can lead to exponential distribution
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Creators leverage this system by replicating successful content at scale, often producing multiple versions of trending videos
In this ecosystem, human creativity matters less than understanding and exploiting algorithms.
Platform Response
A YouTube spokesperson emphasized:
“Generative AI is a tool, and like any tool it can be used to make both high- and low-quality content. We remain focused on connecting our users with high-quality content, regardless of how it was made. All content uploaded to YouTube must comply with our community guidelines, and if we find that content violates a policy, we remove it.”
Despite these statements, the sheer volume of AI slop and the complexity of algorithmic distribution make moderation a significant challenge.
The Future of AI-Generated Content
AI-generated content will continue evolving, blending absurd entertainment with monetization strategies. Observers warn that while AI slop is often harmless, it may shift attention away from high-quality content, influencing trends, media literacy, and the way younger audiences consume digital media.
As AI content creation tools become more accessible, platforms will face increasing pressure to balance monetization with quality control, ensuring that users encounter content that informs, educates, and entertains—rather than just capturing clicks.
