Creators can now safeguard their features from unauthorised use and AI-generated deepfake videos by introducing a new likeness-detection tool on YouTube.
This component is incorporated into YouTube Studio and enables creators to search the platform for videos that feature their facial likeness, regardless of whether it is real or artificially enhanced. As a result of this daring initiative, creators are granted greater autonomy over their digital identities on the platform.
How the tool works for creators
To use the service, creators must provide a face scan and government ID for identity verification. YouTube checks new uploads for creator face matches. If matches are detected, the program lists videos for creator review. The technology lets artists seek the removal of unauthorised or AI-generated content.
According to YouTube, certain videos that include the individual’s actual visage but are unaltered are excluded from removal due to privacy policies.
The functionality is accessible through the “Content Detection” menu in YouTube Studio and is being gradually implemented for a broader range of users, with a particular emphasis on monetised creators, until early 2026.
Why this matters amid AI-generated content
With generative AI efficiently producing fake videos, YouTube’s likeness detection tool is a frontline defence against identity misuse and misleading content. Creators no longer have to wonder where their face might pop up on the platform, especially in manipulated or fraudulent videos.
The rollout comes when Google is intensifying efforts in AI-powered tools, acknowledging the rise of deepfakes and AI-altered videos across digital platforms. By providing a dedicated way to detect, manage, and request removal of such content, YouTube strengthens creator security and fosters trust in the platform’s video environment.