Snapchat no longer rewards fully AI-generated Spotlight content

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Summary

Snapchat announces it will no longer reward fully AI-generated videos on Spotlight, prioritizing human-made content while still allowing AI creative tools for enhancement.

Snapchat has adjusted it recommendation systems to ensure that only videos created by real people are eligible for Spotlight recommendations, taking a stance against AI slop.
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Cached at: 07/31/26, 04:57 PM

# Snapchat no longer rewards fully AI-generated Spotlight content | TechCrunch Source: [https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/31/snapchat-no-longer-rewards-fully-ai-generated-spotlight-content/](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/31/snapchat-no-longer-rewards-fully-ai-generated-spotlight-content/) Snapchat is the latest company to strengthen its stance against AI slop\. The social network platform will no longer reward fully AI\-generated videos, as it seeks to prioritize human\-made content\. Snapchat[announced](https://newsroom.snap.com/rewarding-authentic-creativity-on-spotlight)the update on Friday, stating that its recommendation systems will be adjusted to ensure that only videos created by real people are eligible for Spotlight recommendations\. Snapchat expressed in its blog post that it wants Spotlight to “remain a place where people can discover authentic creativity from real people, because we believe there’s enduring value in rewarding original perspectives, personal storytelling, and the moments that people choose to create and share themselves\.” However, Snapchat clarified that it’s not completely rejecting AI\. Creators can still use its AI creative tools to enhance or edit their content\. This update aligns with Snapchat’s broader efforts to improve Spotlight and shift focus back to original posts that highlight human creativity\. In April, the company[indicated](https://newsroom.snap.com/still-spotlight-but-still-real)that users would see less AI\-generated content\. As criticism of low\-quality AI\-generated content \(known as “AI slop”\) continues to rise, many companies are revising their policies to deprioritize such material in their algorithms, implement reporting features, or remove certain AI features altogether\. For instance,[LinkedIn](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/30/linkedin-adds-a-button-to-report-ai-generated-slop/)recently launched a feature that allows users to click a button labeled “seems like AI slop” to report posts that seem AI\-generated\.[Substack](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/22/substacks-new-tool-tells-you-whos-been-writing-their-newsletters-with-ai/)also introduced a tool to help users identify AI\-written newsletters\. Earlier this month,[Meta](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/10/meta-removes-controversial-ai-feature-on-instagram-after-backlash/)faced significant backlash over an Instagram feature that allowed users to modify photos from public accounts using AI, leading the tech giant to remove the feature entirely\. Additionally,[YouTube](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/20/youtube-clarifies-policies-around-ai-slop-and-upsetting-videos/)has intensified its crackdown on low\-quality AI content by clarifying monetization policies, so “inauthentic content” cannot be monetized, including generic, repetitive, or template\-based content, and any content featuring AI personas discussing sensitive topics such as health and finance\. In separate news, Snapchat implemented[new content control measures](https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/10/snapchat-limits-users-under-16-to-sharing-spotlights-with-friends/)to protect underage users last month\. Those aged 13 to 15 will only be able to share Spotlight posts with people they follow back, aiming to guard against doxxing\. *When you purchase through links in our articles,[we may earn a small commission](https://techcrunch.com/techcrunch-affiliate-monetization-standards/)\. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence\.* Lauren covers media, streaming, apps and platforms at TechCrunch\. You can contact or verify outreach from Lauren by emailing[laurenf\.techcrunch@gmail\.com](mailto:[email protected])or via encrypted message at laurenforris22\.25 on Signal\. [View Bio](https://techcrunch.com/author/lauren-forristal/)

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