Key Takeaways:
- Over 20% of videos shown to new YouTube users are "AI slop" – low-quality AI-generated content designed to farm views.
- 278 of the world’s most popular YouTube channels contain only AI slop, with over 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers.
- These channels generate an estimated $117 million in revenue each year.
- AI slop channels are globally distributed and watched, with millions of subscribers in countries such as Spain, Egypt, the US, and Brazil.
- The creators of AI slop are often from middle-income countries with strong internet connectivity, and use social media platforms to share tips and ideas on how to monetize their content.
Introduction to AI Slop
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to the creation of a new type of content on social media platforms, particularly on YouTube. This content, referred to as "AI slop," is low-quality, AI-generated material designed to farm views and generate revenue. A recent study by the video-editing company Kapwing found that over 20% of videos shown to new YouTube users are AI slop. The study analyzed 15,000 of the world’s most popular YouTube channels and found that 278 of them contain only AI slop. These channels have amassed over 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers, generating an estimated $117 million in revenue each year.
The Scope of AI Slop
The scope of AI slop is vast and global. The channels found by Kapwing are distributed across the world and have millions of subscribers in countries such as Spain, Egypt, the US, and Brazil. In Spain, for example, nearly half the population follows trending AI channels. The most-viewed channel in the study, Bandar Apna Dost, is based in India and has over 2.4 billion views. The channel features absurd and hyper-masculine content, including an anthropomorphic rhesus monkey and a muscular character modeled after the Incredible Hulk. Other popular AI slop channels include Pouty Frenchie, which targets children with cartoon storylines, and The AI World, which features AI-generated shorts of catastrophic flooding in Pakistan.
The Industry Behind AI Slop
Behind the scenes of AI slop is a growing industry of people trying to find new ways to monetize social media platforms using AI tools. These creators are often from middle-income countries with strong internet connectivity, such as Ukraine, India, Kenya, and Brazil. They use social media platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Discord to share tips and ideas on how to create engaging content that can earn money. The industry is semi-structured, with many creators selling courses and tips on how to make viral content. However, the ecosystem is also full of scammers, who often make more money than the AI slop producers themselves.
The Challenges of Creating AI Slop
Creating AI slop is not always easy. The algorithms that distribute content on social media platforms are constantly changing, and it can be difficult to create content that is engaging enough to earn money. Additionally, the creator programs on YouTube and Meta are not always transparent about who they pay for content, and how much. This can make it difficult for creators to know how to optimize their content for maximum revenue. Despite these challenges, many creators are able to make a living from AI slop, and the industry continues to grow and evolve.
The Role of Algorithms
The algorithms that distribute content on social media platforms play a crucial role in the success of AI slop. These algorithms are designed to prioritize content that is engaging and attention-grabbing, and AI slop is often designed to exploit these algorithms. As a result, AI slop can spread quickly across social media platforms, earning millions of views and generating significant revenue. However, the algorithms can also be unpredictable, and creators must constantly adapt and evolve their content to stay ahead of the game.
Conclusion
The rise of AI slop on social media platforms is a significant trend that is changing the way we consume and interact with online content. While AI slop may be low-quality and lacking in creativity, it is undeniable that it is a lucrative industry that is here to stay. As social media platforms continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of their users, it will be interesting to see how AI slop continues to shape the online landscape.