What is the story about?
Once a fringe term, "AI slop" has become part of the global vocabulary. In 2025, both The Economist and Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary highlighted the phrase as shorthand for the surge of low-quality, auto-generated content flooding the internet — from shallow articles and spammy videos to algorithmic filler produced at scale. That growing frustration has data to back it up.
A new report by Kapwing suggests that between 21% and 33% of YouTube feeds, as of October 2025, may consist of AI slop or closely related "brainrot" videos, underlining how rapidly this form of content has spread across platforms worldwide.
While AI-generated video has found legitimate applications in filmmaking, advertising and education, with film schools and major brands experimenting with the technology, the report suggests that a parallel ecosystem has emerged. In this space, creators use prompt-based tools to mass-produce content at scale, flooding platforms with repetitive, low-quality visuals that prioritise engagement over originality.
Kapwing defines AI slop as careless, low-quality content generated through automated applications and distributed to attract views or influence opinion. Brainrot, a closely related category, refers to compulsive, nonsensical videos that corrode attention and comprehension through endless repetition and spectacle.
To measure how widespread this phenomenon has become, Kapwing examined the top 100 trending YouTube channels in every country, identifying which among them primarily produced AI-generated slop.
The researchers then analysed view counts, subscriber numbers and estimated revenue using data from Social Blade. To simulate the experience of a new user, they also created a fresh YouTube account and tracked the first 500 Shorts that appeared in the feed.
The findings reveal striking geographical patterns.
Spain emerged as the country with the largest combined subscriber base for trending AI slop channels, totalling over 20 million subscribers, despite having fewer such channels in its top rankings than countries like Pakistan, Egypt or South Korea. Much of Spain’s subscriber dominance comes from a handful of highly successful channels, including one religious-themed account that blends faith-based messaging with quiz-style videos.
Also Read: ChatGPT launches year-end review like Spotify Wrapped
In contrast, South Korea’s AI slop ecosystem stands out for scale rather than subscriptions. Trending AI slop channels have accumulated more than 8.4 billion views, far exceeding totals seen in Pakistan, the United States or Spain. One South Korean channel alone accounts for nearly a quarter of that figure, using stylised animal imagery and affiliate-linked content to drive engagement and revenue.
The report also identifies the most prominent AI slop channels worldwide. The most-subscribed channel operates from the United States and publishes Spanish-language content, attracting nearly six million subscribers with AI-generated videos themed around popular anime franchises.
Meanwhile, the single most-viewed AI slop channel is based in India - Bandar Apna Dost. Featuring hundreds of near-identical videos centred on a photorealistic monkey placed in dramatic, human-like scenarios, the channel has amassed more than two billion views and is estimated to earn over $4 million annually if fully monetised.
Kapwing’s revenue analysis suggests that the most profitable AI slop channels closely mirror the most-viewed ones, as income estimates are driven largely by recent view counts. Many of these videos have been uploaded only in the past few months.
Beyond individual channels, the report highlights the everyday user experience. In the simulated new-account test, more than one-fifth of the first 500 Shorts were AI-generated, while a full one-third fell into the brainrot category. Although the first few videos were free of such content, AI slop and brainrot became increasingly frequent as the feed progressed.
This proliferation presents a challenge for YouTube. While the platform's leadership has spoken positively about generative AI as a transformative force for video creation, the report notes growing concerns around advertiser trust and brand value when ads appear alongside low-quality, repetitive content.
Data cited in the report indicates that nearly one in ten of the fastest-growing YouTube channels globally now publish only AI-generated content, suggesting that AI slop is no longer a fringe phenomenon but a structural feature of the platform’s growth.
Kapwing concludes that while AI slop and brainrot may appear harmless or entertaining, their sheer volume risks drowning out thoughtful, human-made work. As automated content becomes more normalised, the report argues that the ability to critically assess media — rather than simply consume it — may become increasingly vital for audiences navigating an algorithm-driven internet.
Also Read: Thinking of changing your Gmail address? Here’s a step-by-step guide
A new report by Kapwing suggests that between 21% and 33% of YouTube feeds, as of October 2025, may consist of AI slop or closely related "brainrot" videos, underlining how rapidly this form of content has spread across platforms worldwide.
While AI-generated video has found legitimate applications in filmmaking, advertising and education, with film schools and major brands experimenting with the technology, the report suggests that a parallel ecosystem has emerged. In this space, creators use prompt-based tools to mass-produce content at scale, flooding platforms with repetitive, low-quality visuals that prioritise engagement over originality.
Kapwing defines AI slop as careless, low-quality content generated through automated applications and distributed to attract views or influence opinion. Brainrot, a closely related category, refers to compulsive, nonsensical videos that corrode attention and comprehension through endless repetition and spectacle.
To measure how widespread this phenomenon has become, Kapwing examined the top 100 trending YouTube channels in every country, identifying which among them primarily produced AI-generated slop.
The researchers then analysed view counts, subscriber numbers and estimated revenue using data from Social Blade. To simulate the experience of a new user, they also created a fresh YouTube account and tracked the first 500 Shorts that appeared in the feed.
The findings reveal striking geographical patterns.
Spain emerged as the country with the largest combined subscriber base for trending AI slop channels, totalling over 20 million subscribers, despite having fewer such channels in its top rankings than countries like Pakistan, Egypt or South Korea. Much of Spain’s subscriber dominance comes from a handful of highly successful channels, including one religious-themed account that blends faith-based messaging with quiz-style videos.
Also Read: ChatGPT launches year-end review like Spotify Wrapped
In contrast, South Korea’s AI slop ecosystem stands out for scale rather than subscriptions. Trending AI slop channels have accumulated more than 8.4 billion views, far exceeding totals seen in Pakistan, the United States or Spain. One South Korean channel alone accounts for nearly a quarter of that figure, using stylised animal imagery and affiliate-linked content to drive engagement and revenue.
The report also identifies the most prominent AI slop channels worldwide. The most-subscribed channel operates from the United States and publishes Spanish-language content, attracting nearly six million subscribers with AI-generated videos themed around popular anime franchises.
Meanwhile, the single most-viewed AI slop channel is based in India - Bandar Apna Dost. Featuring hundreds of near-identical videos centred on a photorealistic monkey placed in dramatic, human-like scenarios, the channel has amassed more than two billion views and is estimated to earn over $4 million annually if fully monetised.
Kapwing’s revenue analysis suggests that the most profitable AI slop channels closely mirror the most-viewed ones, as income estimates are driven largely by recent view counts. Many of these videos have been uploaded only in the past few months.
Beyond individual channels, the report highlights the everyday user experience. In the simulated new-account test, more than one-fifth of the first 500 Shorts were AI-generated, while a full one-third fell into the brainrot category. Although the first few videos were free of such content, AI slop and brainrot became increasingly frequent as the feed progressed.
This proliferation presents a challenge for YouTube. While the platform's leadership has spoken positively about generative AI as a transformative force for video creation, the report notes growing concerns around advertiser trust and brand value when ads appear alongside low-quality, repetitive content.
Data cited in the report indicates that nearly one in ten of the fastest-growing YouTube channels globally now publish only AI-generated content, suggesting that AI slop is no longer a fringe phenomenon but a structural feature of the platform’s growth.
Kapwing concludes that while AI slop and brainrot may appear harmless or entertaining, their sheer volume risks drowning out thoughtful, human-made work. As automated content becomes more normalised, the report argues that the ability to critically assess media — rather than simply consume it — may become increasingly vital for audiences navigating an algorithm-driven internet.
Also Read: Thinking of changing your Gmail address? Here’s a step-by-step guide
