A new analysis from Kapwing shows a significant increase in low-quality, AI-generated videos across YouTube, often referred to as “AI slop” or “brainrot.” The research suggests that a notable portion of YouTube’s feed now consists of automatically generated content that prioritizes volume and engagement over production quality.
Findings of the report
Kapwing’s “AI Slop Report” examined trending channels across multiple countries and found that a substantial number of top performers produce mostly AI-generated low-quality videos. On a simulated new YouTube user account, roughly 21% of the first 500 Shorts viewed were classified as AI slop, and about 33% fell into the broader “brainrot” category, which includes similarly low-quality, attention-focused content.
Among individual channels, some are drawing surprisingly large audiences. For example, the India-based channel Bandar Apna Dost has amassed billions of views and is estimated to earn millions in annual revenue from ad impressions and engagement. Spain and South Korea also rank high in AI slop viewership, with millions of subscribers and billions of views attributed to these channels
Global trends and viewing patterns
The analysis indicates that countries vary in how prevalent AI slop channels are within their trending listings. Spain’s AI slop channels have a particularly large combined subscriber base, while South Korean channels dominate in total views. The United States and Brazil also appear among the nations with notable engagement.
Low-quality AI videos are receiving attention beyond this report. Other studies and industry commentary point to similar patterns, with AI content spreading rapidly across social platforms and sometimes making up a significant share of recommended feeds. This trend raises questions about content discoverability, user experience and how platforms balance algorithmic incentives with quality standards.
While tools that streamline content creation have opened new opportunities, the rise of AI-generated slop reflects how video content is made, surfaced and monetized online.