Snapchat has announced a significant change to its Spotlight platform’s reward system by no longer compensating creators for videos that are entirely generated by artificial intelligence. The company updated its recommendation algorithms so that only videos made by real people will be eligible for Spotlight recommendations. Snapchat stressed the importance of maintaining Spotlight as a space where authentic creativity and original storytelling by genuine users are celebrated and rewarded.

Despite this move, Snapchat is not banning AI tools altogether. Creators can continue to use Snapchat’s AI features to enhance or edit their videos, but fully AI-generated content will not qualify for Spotlight rewards. This update is part of Snapchat’s ongoing effort to emphasize human creativity and push back against what many in the industry have labeled “AI slop,” referring to low-effort, generic AI-generated content that degrades user experience.

This shift aligns Snapchat with a growing trend among tech companies seeking to regulate AI’s role in social media. Other platforms are also introducing measures to limit the prevalence of AI-generated material. For example, LinkedIn recently introduced a tool allowing users to report suspicious AI-generated posts, while YouTube has tightened monetization rules to exclude inauthentic content. Meta also removed a controversial AI feature on Instagram after user backlash.

Additionally, Snapchat has been enhancing safety measures on Spotlight, especially for younger users. Since June, users aged 13 to 15 can only share Spotlight posts with followers who reciprocate the follow, aiming to reduce risks such as doxxing. Snapchat’s latest policies reflect a broader industry focus on balancing AI innovation with authenticity and user protection in the digital content space.