X Cracks Down on Stolen Viral Content, Slashes Monetization for Copycat Accounts
Popular social media platform X has launched a major crackdown against accounts that steal and re-upload viral videos and content to generate advertising revenue. The move aims to dismantle a long-standing “view farming” ecosystem where users copied trending content, added flashy “breaking” labels, and monetized millions of impressions before original creators could respond.
According to the platform, accounts profiting from stolen or reposted content through X’s creator revenue-sharing program are now facing significant reductions in payouts.
Revenue Cuts of Up to 90 Percent for Content Thieves
X Product Head Nikita Bier said the company is now using artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms—similar to systems used by Meta—to identify large accounts that systematically re-upload content from smaller creators to exploit the platform’s monetization system.
Under the new policy, when a video or post goes viral, the associated views and revenue will now be redirected to the original creator instead of aggregator or copycat accounts. Bier added that implementation of the policy has already begun and several major violators have seen their monthly earnings reduced by nearly 90 percent.
Clickbait, Rage-Bait, and Spam Also Under Scrutiny
The crackdown is not limited to video theft alone. X has also started taking punitive action against accounts that routinely spread misleading clickbait headlines, recycled videos, rage-bait content designed to provoke outrage, and cryptocurrency spam purely to drive engagement.
The platform further advised users who wish to add commentary to videos to use X’s official “Quote” or “Share Video” features instead of downloading and re-uploading content. According to the company, this will help preserve both credit and view counts for the original uploader.
A Problem Created by X’s Own Monetization System
Technology analysts believe X is now attempting to fix a problem partly created by its own revenue model. After Elon Musk introduced monetization based largely on impressions and views, the platform reportedly saw a surge in stolen and reposted content because reposting viral clips became easier and more profitable than producing original material.
Analysts say the latest move was necessary to retain genuine creators on the platform. Without fair recognition and financial rewards for original work, many creators could eventually abandon the platform, leaving X flooded with recycled content and engagement-driven spam.
DBTech/BMT/OR
