YouTube asks creators to disclose content that is meaningfully altered or synthetically generated when it seems realistic. The question isn't whether you used AI — it's whether a viewer could mistake what they see or hear for something real.
Here's how the rule works, based on YouTube's Help Center article 'Disclosing use of altered or synthetic content', with examples for the kinds of videos faceless channels make. Always check the live article, since YouTube updates it.
When you must disclose
YouTube's examples of content that needs disclosure include:
- Making a real person appear to say or do something they didn't
- Altering footage of a real event or place
- Generating a realistic-looking scene that didn't actually occur
- Cloning someone else's voice for a voiceover or dub
- Synthetically generating music, or realistic footage of a real place
When you don't
YouTube doesn't require disclosure for content that is clearly unrealistic, animated, or uses special effects, or when generative AI was only used for productivity — generating scripts, content ideas, or automatic captions.
Examples for faceless channels
- Sleep story with painterly illustrations, narrated by a preset AI voice — usually no disclosure (clearly illustrated, not a real person)
- History documentary with photorealistic 'reconstructions' of a real battle — disclose (realistic scene of a real event)
- Narration in your own cloned voice — YouTube's examples focus on cloning someone else's voice; check the current guidance for your case
- A famous speech re-voiced with a clone of the speaker — disclose, and consider whether you have the right to do it at all
- Script drafted with AI, narrated by you — no disclosure for the script
How to add the label
When you upload, YouTube Studio's Attributes section has an "AI use" setting. Choose Yes if the video meets the disclosure requirements (realistic content that has been meaningfully altered or synthetically generated). If you publish through an automation tool, open the video in Studio afterwards and check the setting.
Disclosure is also a trust signal
Viewers increasingly assume faceless channels use AI. Saying how you make your videos — in the channel description or a pinned comment — costs nothing and builds trust. What you can't do is hide realistic synthetic content in a way that misleads people.
Where the label appears
According to YouTube's Help Center, AI-generated music and photorealistic AI content may get a label on the video player, while non-music AI audio and non-photorealistic or animated AI content may get a label in the expanded description.
When YouTube adds a label itself
YouTube says it may apply a label automatically to content made with its own generative AI tools, content carrying C2PA metadata, and content its systems detect as AI-generated or altered. Creators who repeatedly don't disclose may have a label applied manually and may face penalties. Disclosing yourself keeps you in control of how the video is described.
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Create your first videoFrequently asked
Do I have to label every AI video on YouTube?+
No. Only realistic altered or synthetic content that viewers could mistake for real needs the label. Clearly illustrated or animated content, and AI used only for scripts, doesn't.
What happens if I don't disclose?+
YouTube says it may add a label itself, and creators who consistently fail to disclose may face penalties, including content removal or suspension from the Partner Program.
Do AI voices need disclosure?+
Cloning a real person's voice is one of YouTube's listed examples. A clearly synthetic preset narrator voice telling a story generally isn't the case the rule targets — but check YouTube's current guidance.
Does disclosing AI hurt views or monetization?+
YouTube presents disclosure as a transparency label, not a penalty. What affects monetization is whether the content is original and policy-compliant.
Do animated or illustrated AI videos need the label?+
YouTube's requirement targets realistic content. Clearly unrealistic or animated content generally doesn't need the setting, though YouTube may still show a description label for AI content it detects.
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