Over 20% of YouTube videos recommended to new users are fully AI-generated
Over 20% of videos recommended by YouTube to new users are entirely AI-generated clips, generating about $117 million annually for creators.
Research by Kapwing revealed that out of the first 500 videos recommended to a new user, 104 are AI-produced. Another third consist of so-called "brainrot" videos—low-quality content made of slides or repurposed clips. Channels exclusively publishing AI content, totaling 278, have 221 million subscribers and more than 63 billion views. The most popular channel identified is the Indian Bandar Apna Dos with 2.45 million subscribers and 2.4 billion views, potentially earning up to $4.25 million. Most AI content creators come from low-income countries with relatively open internet access such as Ukraine, India, Kenya, and Nigeria.
This highlights a trend towards automation in YouTube content recommendations and opens new monetization opportunities for creators in economically challenged regions.
