SUR & SAUDAYouTube Music starts labelling AI-generated songs
What happened
YouTube Music started rolling out labels for songs created "primarily using generative AI". Listeners see the label on the player page, and tapping it explains more. The labels are also expanding to the main YouTube app.
How it decides
Music partners (labels and distributors) can declare one of three categories when they deliver a song: Fully Gen AI, Partly Gen AI or No Gen AI. YouTube can also use its own detection signals, and may label a track even if the partner didn't declare anything.
Some useful examples from YouTube's partner guidance:
- A track generated from a text prompt counts as Fully Gen AI.
- An artist who uses AI for a bassline or strings, then adds live vocals and instruments, counts as Partly Gen AI.
- Pitch correction like Auto-Tune, and automated AI mastering, count as No Gen AI.
What it doesn't say yet
YouTube hasn't said whether labelled tracks will be treated differently in recommendations or royalty payouts.
What to do
When your distributor asks how AI was used in a release, answer accurately. Using AI as a tool isn't the same as a fully generated track, and the platforms are drawing that line. Read the full module on AI and your music.
Questions people ask
How does YouTube Music decide a song is AI-generated?
It uses the declarations music partners submit (Fully Gen AI, Partly Gen AI or No Gen AI) and may add its own detection signals, even where partners don't declare.
Does using Auto-Tune count as AI?
No. YouTube's partner guidance lists pitch correction such as Auto-Tune and automated AI mastering under No Gen AI.