Nearly 60% of TikTok videos shown to new users are AI slop, study finds

What happened

A report by video editing platform Kapwing analyzed over 10,700 TikTok videos across 20 popular categories and found that nearly 60 percent of the videos shown to brand-new TikTok accounts are AI-generated content deemed low-quality or “AI slop.” The study specifically examined the first 500 videos on the For You page for fresh users and identified a heavy presence of synthetic clips likely produced by AI tools.

Why it matters

This finding pressures TikTok’s content curation strategy by exposing how much AI-generated material floods the platform’s entry point for new users. For content creators and brands trying to build genuine engagement, this AI slop dilutes the ecosystem, making it tougher to stand out or gain trust. It also shifts the experience for new users, who encounter less original or thoughtfully curated content, potentially lowering retention or the perceived quality of what TikTok offers. In other words, TikTok’s automated feed risks rewarding volume over value, which could slow growth by alienating users seeking fresh, creative, human-driven content.

What to watch next

Watch for how TikTok responds to this pressure. Will it tighten AI content verification or adjust its recommendation algorithms to favor authentic videos? Content creators should monitor changes that could reprioritize higher quality or human-made clips, which would affect reach and monetization. Investors and platform operators should also track how reliance on AI-generated content impacts user engagement metrics and brand safety. This report raises flags for any service that balances AI automation with user experience in its feed and content strategy.

AI Quick Briefs Editorial Desk