What needs a label
| Platform | Label needed for | No label needed for |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Realistic AI content: a real person appearing to say or do something they didn't, altered footage of a real event or place, a realistic scene that didn't happen, and AI music that is the main focus of the video | Content that isn't realistic, such as an AI animation inside a fully animated video, and minor edits: beauty or color filters, captions, help with a script, title or thumbnail, upscaling, and cloning your own voice for a voiceover |
| TikTok | All AI-generated content with realistic images, audio or video. TikTok also asks for a label on anything completely generated or significantly edited by AI, such as a real subject shown doing or saying something they didn't | Content made only with TikTok's own AI effects may not need one, because TikTok labels those for you |
| Instagram and Facebook | Organic posts with photorealistic video or realistic-sounding audio that was digitally created or altered | Meta's announcement lists no exemptions |
Sources: YouTube Help, TikTok Help and Meta.
How to add the label on YouTube
- Go to YouTube Studio, on a computer or on your phone.
- Follow the steps to upload your video.
- In the Attributes section, under AI use, select Yes if the video meets the disclosure requirements, or No if it doesn't.
- Finish the other video details and publish.
YouTube shows the label in the video player for AI music and photorealistic content, and in the expanded description for other AI audio and for content that is animated or not photorealistic.
How to add the label on TikTok
- Tap the Add post button at the bottom.
- Record, then tap Continue, or upload a video from your device.
- Tap Next.
- Tap More options, then turn on the AI-generated content setting.
The post then reads "creator labeled as AI-generated". You can also say it in text on the video, with a sticker or in the description (TikTok Help).
Instagram and Facebook
Meta asks you to use its disclosure and label tool when you post photorealistic video or realistic-sounding audio that was digitally created or altered, and says it may apply penalties if you don't (Meta). Its announcement describes the tool but not the menu path, so look for the AI label option on the screen where you share the post.
Labels the platforms add on their own
- YouTube may label content made with its own AI tools, content carrying C2PA metadata, and content its systems detect as AI-made. You get a notice in YouTube Studio, and in most cases you can change the answer under Attributes, except for content made with YouTube's AI tools, content with C2PA metadata, or content labelled after a manual review.
- TikTok may add its "AI-generated" label when you use its AI effects or upload a file with Content Credentials attached. An automatic label can't be removed.
- Meta adds an "AI info" label when it detects industry-standard AI indicators or when people disclose AI use. Since September 2024, content Meta detects as only edited with AI tools shows the label in the post's menu (Meta).
What a label does to reach and earnings
- YouTube: disclosing AI content alone won't limit a video's audience or its eligibility to earn money. Creators who consistently don't disclose may get a label added for them, or penalties including removal of content or suspension from the Partner Program.
- TikTok: turning on the AI-generated content setting won't affect the video's distribution as long as it doesn't break the Community Guidelines. Labelling an unaltered video as AI-made is against TikTok's terms.
- Meta: labelled AI content stays up with context, unless it breaks other policies (Meta).
What a label doesn't make allowed
TikTok does not allow some AI content even with a label: fake authoritative sources or crisis events, public figures falsely shown being bullied, endorsing or being endorsed, the likeness of anyone under 18, and the likeness of an adult private person used without permission. YouTube applies its Community Guidelines to AI-made content as to any other.
Questions
Do I need to label a cartoon or animated AI video?
On YouTube, no: content that isn't realistic needs no disclosure. TikTok requires a label only on realistic AI content, but asks for one on anything fully made by AI. Meta's rule covers photorealistic video and realistic-sounding audio.
Does an AI label hurt views?
YouTube says disclosing alone won't limit a video's audience or its eligibility to earn money. TikTok says the AI-generated content setting won't affect distribution as long as the video follows its guidelines.
Do I need to label an AI voiceover?
On YouTube, cloning your own voice for a voiceover needs no disclosure, while making a real person seem to say something they didn't does. TikTok asks for a label when AI speech puts words in a real person's mouth.
Can I remove an AI label?
On YouTube, usually yes, by selecting No under AI use in Attributes, except for content made with YouTube's AI tools, content with C2PA metadata, or content labelled after a manual review. On TikTok, an automatic label can't be removed.
Sources
All checked October 18, 2026
- YouTube Help: Disclosing use of altered or synthetic content
- TikTok Help: About AI-generated content
- TikTok Newsroom: Partnering with our industry to advance AI transparency and literacy (May 9, 2024)
- Meta Newsroom: Labeling AI-generated images on Facebook, Instagram and Threads (February 6, 2024, updated April 1, 2025)
- Meta Newsroom: Our approach to labeling AI-generated content and manipulated media (April 5, 2024, updated)