Summary

  • YouTube is making AI disclosure labels more visible on both Shorts and long-form videos.
  • The platform will automatically label certain AI-generated videos even if creators do not disclose their AI usage.
  • This update coincides with Google's rollout of Gemini Omni-powered editing and remix capabilities for YouTube Shorts.

YouTube is intensifying its AI disclosure efforts by enhancing the visibility of AI-generated content labels as it launches new AI-driven video editing and remixing features for users and creators.

In a blog post released on Wednesday, YouTube announced that it will increase the prominence of labels for videos that are AI-generated or “meaningfully altered.” According to the revised guidelines, labels on long-form videos will now be displayed just below the video player, while Shorts will feature labels as overlays directly on the video.

“By relocating these labels to a more visible area, viewers will receive the necessary context at a glance,” YouTube stated. “This will serve as the unified label format for all photorealistic and significantly AI-altered or generated content on our platform.”

We’re simplifying AI disclosures for creators while enhancing clarity for viewers. Here’s what’s in store:

🏷️ Labels for realistic AI-generated content will be shown on the video player for both long-form videos and Shorts.

🔍 We are rolling out automated AI detection to assist creators… pic.twitter.com/2F3pXIvESI

— Updates From YouTube (@UpdatesFromYT) May 27, 2026

YouTube has stated that it will utilize its systems to identify AI-generated videos and apply labels to them, even if the creators do not disclose the use of AI.

“If a creator does not indicate whether AI was utilized, but our systems detect substantial photorealistic AI involvement, we will now automatically assign a label,” YouTube explained.

Creators have the option to contest incorrect labels via YouTube Studio; however, labels will remain permanent for videos created using YouTube's AI tools, as well as for content that has metadata indicating it is AI-generated.

This update comes alongside Google's expansion of its AI-driven media tools across YouTube and its Gemini AI model.

Earlier this month at Google I/O 2026, Google unveiled Gemini Omni, an advanced multimodal AI model that integrates Gemini with the company’s media generation tools, including Veo, Nano Banana, and Genie, empowering users to create and edit videos utilizing text, images, audio, and existing footage.

The company also announced new AI tools for Shorts, allowing users to employ AI for video restyling, inserting themselves into clips, and generating new versions of existing content from other creators.

YouTube asserts that these changes aim to strike a balance between transparency and creator control without affecting video recommendations or monetization opportunities.

“In an era where AI is transforming possibilities, our objective is straightforward: to facilitate access to accurate information for both creators and viewers,” the company stated.