Snapchat’s Spotlight no longer recommends fully AI-generated videos

Snapchat announced that its Spotlight recommendation system will no longer reward fully AI-generated videos, prioritizing content created by real people. The update, announced on July 31, 2026, aims to ensure that Spotlight remains a space for "authentic creativity from real people," according to the company’s blog post. While the platform will deprioritize fully AI-generated material, creators can still use Snapchat’s AI creative tools to edit or enhance their videos.

The policy change follows broader industry trends as criticism of low-quality AI-generated content—often labeled as 'AI slop'—intensifies. Snapchat’s move aligns with similar adjustments by other platforms, including LinkedIn, which introduced a reporting feature for suspected AI slop, and Substack, which added tools to help users identify AI-written newsletters. Meta recently removed an Instagram feature that allowed users to modify photos from public accounts using AI after facing significant backlash. YouTube has also clarified its monetization policies to exclude 'inauthentic content,' including generic, repetitive, or template-based material featuring AI personas discussing sensitive topics.

Snapchat’s update is part of a broader effort to improve the quality of content on Spotlight and refocus on original, human-made posts. In April 2026, the company indicated that users would see less AI-generated content in their recommendations. The platform has also implemented additional content control measures, such as restricting sharing options for users aged 13 to 15 to protect against doxxing.