Research indicates that over 20% of the videos presented to new users on YouTube are categorized as “AI slop”—low-quality, AI-generated content aimed at maximizing views. A recent survey by the video-editing platform Kapwing, which analyzed 15,000 of the most popular YouTube channels worldwide, found that 278 channels exclusively feature this type of content.
These AI slop channels have collectively garnered more than 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers, resulting in an estimated annual revenue of approximately $117 million (£90 million). In a separate experiment, researchers created a new YouTube account and discovered that 104 out of the first 500 videos recommended to the account were AI slop. This category, which also includes what has been termed “brainrot,” accounted for one-third of the videos in the initial feed, highlighting a growing trend in low-effort, monetizable content.
The findings reflect a burgeoning industry that is inundating major social media platforms, including X, Meta, and YouTube, and shaping a new era of content characterized by its decontextualized nature and addictive qualities. An analysis by The Guardian earlier this year revealed that nearly 10% of YouTube’s fastest-growing channels fall into the category of AI slop, continuing to attract millions of views despite the platform’s ongoing efforts to limit “inauthentic content.”
Kapwing’s research shows that AI slop channels are not only widely distributed but also have significant follower counts. For instance, in Spain, 20 million people—almost half the country’s population—follow trending AI channels. The United States, Egypt, and Brazil also host substantial numbers of subscribers, with AI channels amassing 14.5 million, 18 million, and 13.5 million followers, respectively.
One notable example is the channel Bandar Apna Dost, based in India, which has become the most-viewed in the study with 2.4 billion views. The channel features an anthropomorphic rhesus monkey alongside a muscular character inspired by the Incredible Hulk, engaging in absurd adventures. Kapwing estimates that this channel could earn as much as $4.25 million annually. The channel’s owner did not respond to inquiries regarding its content.
Rohini Lakshané, a researcher specializing in technology and digital rights, suggested that the channel’s appeal likely stems from its absurdity and hyper-masculine themes, along with a lack of plot, making it easily digestible for new viewers. Another channel, Pouty Frenchie, based in Singapore, has attracted 2 billion views and appears to target children, showcasing the whimsical adventures of a French bulldog in a candy forest. Kapwing estimates it generates nearly $4 million per year.
Cuentos Facinantes, another prominent channel based in the U.S., also targets a young audience with its cartoon narratives and has 6.65 million subscribers, making it the most-subscribed channel in the study. In Pakistan, the channel The AI World features AI-generated shorts depicting catastrophic flooding, with titles such as Poor People, Poor Family, showcasing a darker side of this content genre; it has 1.3 billion views.
Determining the overall impact of these channels within YouTube’s expansive content landscape remains challenging, as the platform does not disclose annual viewing statistics or specifics regarding AI-generated content. However, the rise of these channels signals a shift toward a semi-structured industry that exploits AI tools for monetization on major platforms.
Max Read, a journalist focused on AI slop, noted that a substantial community exists across Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and online forums, where creators exchange ideas and sell courses on producing engaging content. “They have what they call niches,” Read said, pointing out a recent trend in AI videos featuring exploding pressure cookers.
The majority of AI slop creators hail from English-speaking countries with robust internet access, where earnings from YouTube often surpass local median wages. Countries such as Ukraine, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Brazil, and Vietnam are increasingly contributing to this creator economy, taking advantage of relatively free access to social media.
Despite the potential for income, challenges persist for AI slop creators. YouTube and Meta’s creator programs are often opaque regarding payment structures, and many creators fall victim to scams perpetuated by those selling misleading tips on viral content creation. Yet, for some, this emerging industry offers a viable means of income.
As new ideas—such as videos of pressure cookers exploding—continue to emerge, the role of human creativity may diminish in favor of algorithms that dictate content distribution across platforms like YouTube and Meta. “These websites are huge A/B testing machines just by their nature,” Read added, emphasizing that any idea can be scaled if it proves engaging enough.
A YouTube spokesperson remarked, “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.”
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