YouTube will implement a change in its recommendation algorithms with the goal of encouraging the creation of original material on the platform. The change aims to restrict the visibility of Shorts that consist solely of excerpts from videos produced by other creators.
This practice is frequent on YouTube, where it is common to find Shorts (short, vertical videos) that use only snippets from podcasts, interviews, or speeches by public figures taken from different channels, often without giving credit or obtaining permission.
For the producer of the original content, this situation represents a problem, as it can harm the views of their own videos. Additionally, it is common for viewers of these Shorts not to realize that the video was not published by the original channel.
YouTube's decision to modify its recommendation systems stems from the need to improve the overall experience with Shorts. The platform is adjusting its systems to give greater priority to original content and reduce the reach of material republished by third parties without any additional contribution.
This update seeks to provide a better experience for viewers while ensuring that creators who invest in original content have greater opportunities to progress and achieve success.
The YouTube team clarified that the phrase 'without any personal addition' indicates that the platform does not prohibit the sharing of clips or cuts in Shorts, but rather encourages the republisher to incorporate something new into the material, such as a personal opinion or supplementary information.
In this context, YouTube emphasizes the importance of 'providing real value through your own original commentary, exclusive edits, or narrative' if excerpts from another creator are used.
The question remains whether this new rule will impact the reach of Shorts that feature clips from videos created by the producers themselves, a legitimate and widely used tactic to direct users to longer content.