Meta Tightens Grip on Duplicate Content, Mirroring YouTube's Recent Moves
📷 Image source: techcrunch.com
Meta has announced a sweeping policy update aimed at reducing the prevalence of unoriginal and repurposed content on Facebook, following similar measures recently implemented by YouTube. The social media giant plans to demote posts that heavily reuse existing material without adding substantial value, particularly those designed to exploit algorithms for engagement.
The new approach targets so-called 'content laundering,' where users repost or slightly modify viral videos, articles, or memes to capitalize on their popularity. Meta stated that such content clogs users' feeds and undermines authentic creators. The company will prioritize original posts in its recommendation systems, potentially reshaping visibility for pages reliant on recycled material.
Industry analysts note this mirrors YouTube's February 2025 policy change that penalized 'duplicate uploads.' Both platforms face increasing pressure to improve content quality as advertisers grow wary of association with low-value material. Digital rights advocates have raised concerns about automated enforcement potentially misflagging legitimate commentary or transformative works. Meta says human reviewers will supplement AI detection for borderline cases.
The policy takes effect September 1st, with full implementation expected by year's end. Small creators are advised to audit their posting strategies, as the changes may significantly impact pages that built audiences through content aggregation rather than original production.
