YouTube Puts AI Labels On Songs That Use The Tech For Vocals Or Composition

The debate over whether Kanye used AI on his latest album Bully just got more interesting.

YouTube Music today announced it “is rolling out labels to make it easier to see when a song was created primarily using generative AI.” An example the company gives is “using a generative model to create the composition and vocals.” It also noted that the music-related labeling will occur on the main YouTube app, apparently to identify when such a song is used.

“When you listen to a track on YouTube Music where AI played a significant role, you’ll see a label directly on the player page. Tapping the label opens a simple menu that shares more information,” the video giant indicated in a blog post. It also shared a sample layout of the label in action.

A 2026 report from The Business of Apps notes that YouTube is “Far ahead of all others in total usage with two billion users, but behind Spotify and Apple in paid subscribers.” That number is specific to music streaming.

YouTube says it will use a combination of its own tech and info from its “music partners” to ID such tracks. The goal is to offer users “clarity when it comes to the music they listen to.”

Spotify initiated a AI tag earlier this year with is voluntary at the discretion of the music label or artist. The service also indictaed that it wouldn’t favor songs from “AI personas.” Apple Music is also reportedly getting an AI label.