YouTube is rolling out a new experimental feature called AI Likeness Detection, designed to help creators identify videos where their face may have been altered or generated using AI.
As AI tools become more accessible, this update gives creators more control over how their identity appears on the platform. If YouTube detects content that may include your likeness, you can review it and decide what action to take, including requesting removal through the privacy complaint process.
The goal here is simple: help creators protect their identity, safeguard their audience, and stay in control as AI-generated content becomes more common.
How Can You Use This Feature?
Likeness Detection is still experimental, in beta, and isn’t available in every country. Access is rolling out gradually to a limited set of creators. To be eligible, creators must:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be a Channel Owner or Manager
- Submit government-issued ID and a short selfie video
How Likeness Detection Works
YouTube already scans uploaded videos for things like copyright and ad suitability. Likeness Detection works in a similar way, but instead of searching for copyrighted content, it looks for a creator’s face.
After you enroll, YouTube performs automated scans on newly uploaded videos to identify potential matches to your likeness. If something is flagged, it shows up in your review queue.
If you’re eligible, here’s how to set up AI Likeness Detection:
- Open YouTube Studio on desktop
- Go to Content detection → Likeness
- Select Start now
- Agree to biometric processing
- Complete identity verification
If protecting your identity on YouTube matters to you, this is a feature worth setting up as early as you can. It’s important to note, not all complaints result in removal. YouTube considers context such as parody, satire, and fair use when reviewing privacy claims.
If you have questions about this update or anything else YouTube, feel free to contact us.
