# YouTube Shorts Original Content Update

Channels that mostly repost other people's clips get less reach in the Shorts feed. Here is what YouTube said and what you can do.

URL: https://shortformkit.com/youtube-shorts-original-content-update/
Updated: 2026-10-13

**Since 1 October 2026 YouTube's Shorts recommendations give more priority to original videos. Channels that mainly aggregate or re-upload other creators' clips without significant changes will likely get less distribution in the Shorts feed. The videos are not removed.**

## What YouTube announced

- YouTube Creator Liaison Rene Ritchie announced the change on 1 October 2026 in a Creator Insider video, together with a TeamYouTube post in the Help Community.

- It is a change to recommendations, not a ban. Reposted Shorts stay online but are shown to fewer people.

- YouTube gave no start date, no threshold and no dashboard that shows whether a channel's reach was reduced.

- If a channel moves toward original content, the recommendation system re-evaluates its reach.

## What counts as original and what does not

| Counts as your own | Does not count |
|---|---|
| Your own commentary or analysis | A voiceover that only describes what is on screen |
| Storytelling and real editing choices | Minor technical edits such as a crop, a filter or a speed change |
| Educational value you add | Template-based bulk changes to many clips |

Want to show your audience someone else's video? YouTube points to the Posts tab of your channel, so viewers watch the original upload.

## What about monetization?

The update is about reach. Monetization still follows YouTube's existing reused content policy: if you borrow content from someone else, you have to change it significantly to make it your own. A channel built mainly on other people's clips could already lose monetization before this update. See our explainer on the [YouTube Partner Program changes](https://shortformkit.com/youtube-partner-program-2027-changes/).

## Instagram did the same

Instagram stopped recommending accounts that mainly re-upload others' work, first for Reels in 2024 and in April for photos and carousels. Accounts become eligible again once most of their recent posts over 30 days are original.

## How to make Shorts that clearly count as yours

- Film your own footage or cut Shorts from your own long videos with the [video trimmer](https://shortformkit.com/video-trimmer/).

- Add your own voice and opinion, then put captions on it with the [subtitle generator](https://shortformkit.com/srt-subtitle-generator/).

- Check the right format with the [YouTube Shorts size guide](https://shortformkit.com/youtube-shorts-size/).

Source: [Search Engine Journal: YouTube prioritizes original Shorts, cuts reach for reposted clips](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/youtube-original-shorts-reposted-clips-reach/591774/). Checked 2026-10-13.

Source: [Social Media Today: YouTube updates Shorts algorithm to put more focus on original content](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-updates-shorts-algorithm-to-put-more-focus-on-original-content/). Checked 2026-10-13.

## FAQ

**Will YouTube delete my reposted Shorts?**
No. The update reduces how often re-uploaded Shorts are recommended. It does not remove them.

**Does a voiceover make a clip original?**
Not if it only describes what is happening on screen. YouTube wants your own commentary, analysis or storytelling.

**Can I still cut Shorts from my own long videos?**
YouTube did not address this directly. The update targets clips re-uploaded from other creators, so your own footage is not the focus.

**When does the change start?**
YouTube announced it on 1 October 2026 without a start date. Some coverage says it may already be live.

**Does this affect monetization?**
Not directly. Monetization still follows the reused content policy, which already requires significant changes to borrowed content.


Source: Shortform Kit (https://shortformkit.com/youtube-shorts-original-content-update/). Free, no login.