Low-quality artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content is flooding social media platforms at an unprecedented pace. Research reveals that over 20% of the videos recommended by YouTube to new users fall into the category of “AI junk content.”

Video editing company Kapwing analyzed the world’s 15,000 most popular YouTube channels and found that 278 of them exclusively post AI junk content. Collectively, these AI junk channels have amassed more than 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers, generating an estimated annual revenue of approximately 117million(aroundS150 million).

Researchers also created a new YouTube account for testing purposes and discovered that 104 out of the first 500 recommended videos on the homepage were AI junk content. One-third of these belonged to the “brain rot” category—a term encompassing not only AI-generated junk but also low-quality videos deliberately designed to grab attention and drive traffic.

These findings indicate the rapid emergence of an industry that is saturating major social platforms—including X, Meta, and YouTube—with AI junk content, giving rise to a new content trend: content that is often decontextualized, addictive, and capable of going viral globally within hours.

An analysis by The Guardian earlier this year also found that nearly 10% of YouTube’s fastest-growing channels consist of AI junk content. Despite the platform’s efforts to curb inauthentic material, these channels continue to rack up millions of views.

In Singapore, a channel named Pouty Frenchie has garnered 2 billion views, primarily from child audiences. Its content features a French Bulldog embarking on adventures—such as driving to a candy forest or eating crystal sushi—accompanied by background sounds of children’s laughter. The channel is estimated to earn nearly $4 million annually.

However, it remains difficult to accurately assess the proportion of AI junk content across these channels, as YouTube does not disclose its total annual view count or the share attributable to AI-generated material.

Reid, a journalist who has long investigated AI junk content, revealed that large communities on Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and various online forums actively exchange production techniques and ideas, and even sell courses teaching others how to create engaging—and profitable—junk content. Yet creators in this ecosystem face significant challenges: payment structures on platforms are opaque, and scammers often profit more than genuine creators.

A YouTube spokesperson responded by stating that generative AI is merely a tool, emphasizing that the platform focuses on connecting users with high-quality content. The spokesperson added that all uploaded content must comply with community guidelines, and any material found violating policies will be removed.

Low-quality artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content is flooding social media platforms at an unprecedented pace. Research reveals that over 20% of the videos recommended by YouTube to new users fall into the category of “AI junk content.”

Video editing company Kapwing analyzed the world’s 15,000 most popular YouTube channels and found that 278 of them exclusively post AI junk content. Collectively, these AI junk channels have amassed more than 63 billion views and 221 million subscribers, generating an estimated annual revenue of approximately 117million(aroundS150 million).

Researchers also created a new YouTube account for testing purposes and discovered that 104 out of the first 500 recommended videos on the homepage were AI junk content. One-third of these belonged to the “brain rot” category—a term encompassing not only AI-generated junk but also low-quality videos deliberately designed to grab attention and drive traffic.

These findings indicate the rapid emergence of an industry that is saturating major social platforms—including X, Meta, and YouTube—with AI junk content, giving rise to a new content trend: content that is often decontextualized, addictive, and capable of going viral globally within hours.

An analysis by The Guardian earlier this year also found that nearly 10% of YouTube’s fastest-growing channels consist of AI junk content. Despite the platform’s efforts to curb inauthentic material, these channels continue to rack up millions of views.

In Singapore, a channel named Pouty Frenchie has garnered 2 billion views, primarily from child audiences. Its content features a French Bulldog embarking on adventures—such as driving to a candy forest or eating crystal sushi—accompanied by background sounds of children’s laughter. The channel is estimated to earn nearly $4 million annually.

However, it remains difficult to accurately assess the proportion of AI junk content across these channels, as YouTube does not disclose its total annual view count or the share attributable to AI-generated material.

Reid, a journalist who has long investigated AI junk content, revealed that large communities on Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and various online forums actively exchange production techniques and ideas, and even sell courses teaching others how to create engaging—and profitable—junk content. Yet creators in this ecosystem face significant challenges: payment structures on platforms are opaque, and scammers often profit more than genuine creators.

A YouTube spokesperson responded by stating that generative AI is merely a tool, emphasizing that the platform focuses on connecting users with high-quality content. The spokesperson added that all uploaded content must comply with community guidelines, and any material found violating policies will be removed.