YouTube is making AI labelling more consistent, visible and simplified. Now, YouTube is moving the disclosure label for photorealistic and meaningfully AI-altered or generated content to a more noticeable position.
- For Long-form Videos: The label will now appear directly below the video player, above
the description. - For Shorts: The label will appear as an overlay on the video itself.
YouTube says that moving these labels to the main area will immediately show viewers when something is AI. However, this is specifically for photorealistic images or generated content on YouTube. The company will keep the label in the expanded description for content that’s unrealistic, animated or slightly altered.
While YouTube still needs creators to disclose when they use realistic AI. However, in May 2026, YouTube is rolling out internal signals to help identify AI-generated content.
And if a creator doesn’t say that their video is using AI, but the system detects significant photorealistic AI, YouTube will automatically apply the label. Creators can update the disclosure status if they believe it was incorrectly identified as AI-generated.
- Content created using YouTube’s own AI tools, like Veo or Dream Screen.
- Content containing C2PA metadata indicating they were fully generative AI.
YouTube notes that a disclosure doesn’t change how a video is recommended and whether it’s eligible to earn money.
