TL;DR
Kapwing’s analysis of trending channels and a simulated new-user Shorts feed found substantial presence of AI-generated low-quality videos — about 21% identified as AI-generated and 33% as ‘brainrot’ among the first 500 Shorts reviewed. The report also maps where high-reach AI channels are concentrated and estimates potential ad revenue for the largest offenders.
What happened
Kapwing investigated the prevalence and reach of low-quality, automatically generated video content it labels “AI slop” and related “brainrot” on YouTube. Researchers identified the top 100 trending channels in each country, flagged channels they judged to be AI slop, and pulled view, subscriber and estimated revenue figures from SocialBlade. They also created a fresh YouTube account and recorded the first 500 Shorts shown to that account to simulate a new-user feed. The team found 104 of the first 500 Shorts (21%) were AI-generated and 165 (33%) matched their definition of brainrot. The analysis highlights countries and specific channels that dominate slop reach and includes SocialBlade-derived annual revenue estimates for high-view channels. Kapwing contrasts these findings with broader industry commentary about generative AI’s rapid influence on video creation and distribution.
Why it matters
- Large volumes of low-effort AI-generated videos can compete with human-made content for views and subscribers, altering the visibility landscape for creators.
- High view counts concentrated in a few countries and channels suggest monetization incentives that could encourage mass production of similar low-quality material.
- A substantial share of brainrot-style Shorts in a new-user feed raises questions about what new viewers encounter first and how the platform surface content.
- Platforms and advertisers may face reputational and ad-placement challenges as AI-generated, low-quality videos proliferate alongside more traditional content.
Key facts
- Kapwing flagged 104 of the first 500 YouTube Shorts (21%) on a new account as AI-generated and 165 (33%) as brainrot.
- Researchers checked the top 100 trending YouTube channels in each country and used SocialBlade to gather views, subscribers and estimated revenue.
- Spain’s trending AI slop channels total about 20.22 million subscribers — the largest combined subscriber base reported.
- The U.S. had 14.47 million slop-channel subscribers among its trending channels; Brazil had about 12.56 million.
- South Korea’s trending AI slop channels accounted for roughly 8.45 billion views — the largest country total by views.
- India’s Bandar Apna Dost was the single channel with the most views at approximately 2.07 billion and an estimated annual revenue of about $4,251,500 (SocialBlade estimate).
- South Korea’s Three Minutes Wisdom had about 2.02 billion views and an estimated annual ad income near $4,036,500 (SocialBlade estimate).
- Cuentos Facinantes (U.S.-based, Spanish-language) had the most subscribers among flagged slop channels at about 5.95 million and around 1.28 billion views.
- Spain’s Imperio de jesus contributed substantially to Spain’s subscriber totals with about 5.87 million subscribers.
What to watch next
- Whether YouTube or parent Google will change ranking or moderation practices in response to rising AI-generated feed content — not confirmed in the source.
- Advertiser reactions and potential shifts in ad placement policies as platforms and brands assess associations with low-quality AI videos.
- The pace at which creators and networks replicate high-performing slop formats for quick monetization, and whether that alters content diversity — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- AI slop: Careless, low-quality video content produced largely with generative AI tools and distributed to attract views or subscribers.
- Brainrot: Compulsive, often nonsensical short-form video content that can be mentally numbing and is frequently low in production quality; often generated with or influenced by AI.
- Trending channels: YouTube channels that appear among the top-performing or most-engaged channels in a country’s short-term metrics.
- Monetization (YouTube): The process by which creators earn revenue from a channel, commonly through ads, memberships, or platform partner programs.
- Generative AI: Computer models that produce new content — text, images, audio or video — based on learned patterns from existing data.
Reader FAQ
How widespread is AI-generated content on YouTube according to the report?
In Kapwing’s simulated new-user Shorts feed, 21% of the first 500 videos were identified as AI-generated and 33% as brainrot.
Which countries have the largest audiences for flagged AI slop channels?
Spain had the largest combined subscriber total among trending slop channels (about 20.22M), while South Korea had the highest combined view count (about 8.45B).
Are these channels earning significant revenue?
Kapwing used SocialBlade estimates and found some high-view channels with multi-million-dollar annual revenue estimates (for example, Bandar Apna Dost at roughly $4.25M).
Has YouTube taken action to limit AI slop?
Not confirmed in the source.
CONTENT MARKETING AI Slop Report: The Global Rise of Low-Quality AI Videos Liam Curtis Nov 28, 2025 8 min Kapwing’s new research shows that 21-33% of YouTube’s feed may consist…
Sources
- A new research shows that 21-33% of YouTube's feed may consist of AI slop
- More than 20% of videos shown to new YouTube users are …
- One in five YouTube videos recommended to new users is …
- One in three YouTube shorts is now brain rot
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