Labeling AI-generated content 2026 requires a dual-layer approach: a visible layer for humans and an invisible disclosure for machines. For humans, clearly disclose that AI contributed to creating the content, using simple language, and implement the universally recognized "cr" icon. The invisible layer must include the C2PA standard and mandatory metadata fields, such as Provider Name, System Version, Creation Timestamp, and Unique Identifier.
With the spread of artificial intelligence (AI), the line between human and machine-generated content has become blurred, creating new challenges for trust and security for internet users in the digital ecosystem. More content is being created by AI, which increases the capability of publishers and online platforms to create more content.
However, internet users prefer to know whether the content was generated by human or AI. Thus, on November 5, 2025, the European Commission launched a pivotal code of practice for marking and labeling AI-generated content. This initiative marks the transparency obligations set by the EU AI Act.
These obligations will become applicable in August 2026, complementing existing rules under the EU AI Act, such as high-risk AI systems or general-purpose AI models. The upcoming code of practice of AI-generated content will be a voluntary instrument to meet the transparency requirements.
In the US, California’s SB 942 also requires labeling AI-generated content.
The transparency obligations will help mark AI-generated content, including synthetic audio, images, video, and text, in machine-readable formats to enable detection.
Why AI Content Labeling Is Becoming Mandatory in 2026
AI content labeling is no longer a nice-to-have transparency feature. In 2026, it’s becoming a legal requirement for businesses operating in the European Union and the US, especially California.
The EU AI Act is the European Union’s law regulating the use of artificial intelligence, that uses a risk-based approach. The Act classifies all AI systems operating in the EU into four main risk levels: unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal.
Based on the risk level, the Act sets requirements for the use and labeling of AI-generated content to prevent deception, manipulation, or other malicious practices.
New transparency rules focus less on banning AI and more on disclosure. The goal isn’t to prevent use of AI but rather to inform website users of the use of AI. People want to know how content was created, especially in news, advertising, health, finance, and political contexts.
The EU AI Act entered into force on August 1, 2024; however, its rules are implemented in phases. The Act will become fully enforceable on August 2, 2026. Before this date, companies must meet the AI-generated content labeling standards.
Besides the EU, California’s SB 942 also requires labeling AI-generated content.
Thus, under the EU AI Act and California’s SB 942, labeling is no longer optional— it is mandatory.
What counts as AI-generated content
AI-generated content isn’t limited to publishing articles, pictures, or videos with the help of AI.
In regulatory terms, content is typically considered as AI-generated content if:
- AI tools created the initial text, image, video, or audio.
- AI tools set the structure and design of the content.
- AI tools produced initial outputs at scale, even if they were later edited by humans.
AI-generated content includes blog posts, product descriptions, ads, emails, images, voiceovers, podcasts, and even summaries or reviews.
Who Must Label AI-Generated Content?
There are many categories of businesses to which the Act could apply. From August 2, 2026, all companies will be required to explicitly label content created by AI tools, including the creation of texts, images, audios, or videos.
The EU AI Act differs from other sector-specific rules in the sense that it takes a horizontal approach, meaning it doesn’t apply to one group but rather across industries. Applicability depends on whether the content was generated by generative AI.
The following types of businesses are most likely to be regulated by the Act, and thus must label AI-generated content:
- Publishers
Publishers, especially when publishing at scale, must disclose AI use in editorial, sponsored, and automated content, - Marketers
Brands and marketers must also label AI-generated advertising, landing pages, and promotional materials where generative AI was used to create the content. - E-commerce sites
E-commerce sites using AI tools for product descriptions and recommendations must disclose AI use. - Websites with AI tools
Any websites using chatbots or automated moderation should also label AI-generated content. - Individual use
Even individual creators, influencers, or bloggers should also label AI-generated content when producing monetized, commercial, or informational content.
In summary, if you, as an individual or business have commercial, reputational, or informational benefit from the online content, the EU AI Act applies to you. You need to comply with the transparency requirements of the Act, that requires you to label AI-generated content for users to know.
Fully AI-Generated Content vs Human-Edited AI Content
Fully AI-generated content almost always requires disclosure. If an AI system produced texts, images, audios, or videos, and a human only proofread or lightly edited it to fit the design or style of the company, the content must be labeled as AI-generated content.
Human-edited AI content has more flexibility. If the human contribution is substantial and includes adding original content, rewriting, or restructuring, it could be classified as human-created or human-edited AI content. Such content has less strict compliance requirements for AI labeling and allows more flexibility. Company owners should decide when to label such content as AI-generated content.
However, the trend is clear: the EU AI Act includes the transparency requirement for AI-generated content, and users also expect websites or online stores to label such content. Whether it is already a legal requirement to label AI-generated content, or a voluntary recommendation in the case of human-edited AI content, it is a good practice to be transparent and mark such content.
AI-Assisted Content: Do You Still Need a Label?
AI-assisted content falls into a different category, which is often the most misunderstood.
Using AI for minor tasks to correct the content when it was originally created by human does not need AI label.
Such AI-assisted content that does not require labeling includes:
- Grammar or spell checks using tools like Grammarly.
- Slight rewriting or restructuring of the text with AI tools.
- Tone adjustments.
- Minor corrections or suggestions.
However, if you used AI tools to generate ideas or draft entire paragraphs, Ai labeling is expected.
How to Label AI-Generated Content Correctly
Correctly labeling AI-generated content in 2026 requires a dual-layer approach: a visible layer for humans and an invisible disclosure for AI bots.
1. The visible layer for humans
To label AI-generated content in 2026, a simple caption is often not enough.
The label must be:
- Clear and easy to understand
- Conspicuous without being disruptive
- Honest about AI’s role
- Consistent across content types
- Permanent.
Text labeling:
If you are publishing AI-written articles like news, blogs, etc., place a notice at the top or bottom of the article.
Placement of the notice is important: place it before or immediately after the main body of the text. Don’t bury it in footers or on a separate page.
Examples of compliant text labeling include:
- “This article was generated using artificial intelligence.”
- “Some content on this page was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.”
- “Disclaimer: This article was created using artificial intelligence, but edited, reviewed and fact-checked by a real person.”
Vague statements like “We sometimes use AI” aren’t the correct AI labeling.
Images and video labeling:
Place a watermark or text overlay (e.g., "Generated with AI") in a corner of an image or video.
The labeling must be difficult to remove, meaning it shouldn't be easily cropped out or eliminated without damaging the image.
Audio labeling:
Include a disclosure at the beginning of the clip or repeat it several times during the audio if it’s a long-form broadcast.
Examples include:
- "This voice was generated using AI".
2. The invisible layer for machines
As of the beginning of 2026, California’s CCPA and the EU AI Act require AI-generated files to contain machine-readable metadata. If a user uploads such AI-generated content to a social platform, the platform’s AI detector must be able to detect it.
- The C2PA Standard
Use the Content Authenticity Initiative (C2PA) standard. Most major tools (Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Paint, DALL-E 3, Midjourney, Azure tools) now embed this feature automatically. - Tools to verify C2PA
If you are not sure whether the AI-created file contains machine-readable metadata, check for it. Tools to inspect content credentials include: Verify (Content Authenticity Initiative), ContentCredentials.org, and Adobe Content Authenticity Inspect + Chrome extension. - Mandatory metadata fields
Your file’s metadata (EXIF/IPTC for images, XMP for video) should include:
Provider Name: (e.g., "OpenAI")
System Version: (e.g., "DALL-E 3.5")
Creation Timestamp: (The exact date and time the image or video was made)
Unique Identifier: A cryptographic hash that links the file to its origin.
Do not use Screenshot to save AI images. This strips the metadata and the image becomes non-compliant. Always Export or Download the original file to keep the correct disclosures intact.
AI Content Labeling Requirements by Region
Even if AI transparency rules share common principles, they are not identical worldwide.
1. European Union
In the EU, the EU AI Act is the principal law, regulating the use of AI. The Act presents the world’s strictest transparency obligations under Article 50 of the AI Act.
Effective Date: August 2, 2026 (full applicability).
Major requirements:
- Deepfakes must be labeled clearly and visibly during the first exposure.
- AI-generated text, if published on matters of public interest (news, blogs, reviews), must be labeled as AI-generated unless it has undergone substantial human editorial review.
- AI creators must use technical standards, usually C2PA. AI-created files must contain machine-readable layers, supported by common detection tools, and provide metadata.
2. United States
California has passed SB 942, regulating the use of AI. The law sets the US national standard requirements for any company with over 1 million monthly users.
Effective Date: August 2, 2026. It was recently delayed from January 1 to align with the EU.
Major requirements:
- AI labeling must be conspicuous and “extraordinarily difficult to remove." Users must have an option to include this label.
- All AI-generated images, videos, and audio must contain the hidden layer for machines.
Currently, California’s AI labeling law does not apply to pure text, such as blogs, chatbots, or articles.
3. China
Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
China’s CAC measures are the most prescriptive regarding the placement of labels.
Requirements include:
- Visible labels for humans must include an "AI" symbol or watermark.
- Chatbots must provide disclosure at the start of the interaction.
- Images and videos must contain a visible watermark.
- All synthetic files must include metadata to ensure traceability.
Social media platforms must check for compliance; if they detect unlabeled AI content, they are legally required to add their own labels or notify the user.
4. India
Proposed IT rules are being finalized in early 2026.
Main requirements:
- All AI-generated files must include a "Visibility standard" to combat deepfakes.
- Draft rules require AI labels to cover at least 10% of the visual area of an image or video.
- For audio files, the disclosure must be made within the first 10% of the audio clip's duration.
Like China, India focuses heavily on provenance, requiring platforms to be able to trace a piece of synthetic media back to its original place of origin.
SEO Impact: Does Labeling AI Content Affect Rankings?
No, AI labeling does not negatively impact your Google search rankings. With the EU AI Act and California’s SB 942, transparency is now a trust signal. However, while the AI label itself doesn’t affect Google search rankings, it can affect user behavior, triggering a chain reaction, that could affect your SEO indirectly.
Google’s Stance on AI-Generated Content Transparency
Google and other search engines don't care who created the content. There is no difference between whether a human or a bot wrote the text. Google’s algorithms care about content quality.
The "Information gain" score: In 2026, Google prioritizes content that adds new data, personal experience, or unique perspectives. If your AI content was generated by just rewriting the top 10 results, it will rank poorly. Not because it was generated using AI, but because it contains nothing new.
Social media SEO
Social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Meta set very strict rules on AI content.
These platforms now use AI-detection tools to check for AI-generated content and to auto-flag it. It’s the opposite- if you don't label realistic synthetic media, the platforms may ban or remove the content. If you fail to label AI content, your visibility and SEO ranking will be sharply decreased.
Common AI Labeling Mistakes That Can Trigger Compliance Issues
Most compliance problems don’t come from using AI — they come from labeling it poorly or not labeling at all.
Common AI labeling mistakes include:
- Using complex, legal language.
- Hiding disclosures in separate pages.
- Inconsistent labeling across similar content.
- Not labeling if the content was reviewed or slightly changed by humans.
- Forgetting to label non-text content like video, images, or audio.
Best Practices for Staying Compliant Without Hurting UX
You don’t need intrusive banners or scary warnings. Use these simple but effective best practices for AI-generated content labeling:
- Use dual-layer labeling: a visible layer for humans and embed invisible C2PA metadata for machine-level detection.
- Implement the universally recognized "cr" (Content Credentials) icon in the corner of images to provide a familiar, non-intrusive signal that users already know.
- Place watermarks and labels in the periphery of a page (top or bottom of the text, bottom-right corner of media) to meet legal requirements without obstructing the content.
- Blend AI labeling naturally into the page.
- Use plain and simple language.
- Use consistent labeling across your site.
- Adopt progressive disclosure: display a simple "Generated using AI" badge by default and allow users to click it for more details.
- Integrate with branding: design your AI labels to match your site's existing design system so they feel like a feature rather than a warning.
- Introduce your AI transparency policy in a Privacy Policy page or other document.
- Ensure all visible AI labels are accessible and meet WCAG 2.1 contrast standards so they remain legible for all users across both light and dark modes.
CookieScript CMP could be used to generate a Privacy Policy, provide a cookie banner, and inform users about the use of AI on your site. It has the following features:
- Integrations with CMS platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Joomla, etc.
- Cookie banner customization
- Google Consent Mode v2 integration
- IAB TCF v2.2 integration
- Google Tag Manager integration
- Certification by Google
- CookieScript API
- Cookie Scanner
- Consent recordings
- Third-party cookie blocking
- Geo-targeting
- Local storage and session storage scanning
CookieScript is a Google-certified CMP, recommended by Google, for the implementation of Google Consent Mode v2 and Google Tag Manager. It is included in the list of Google-certified CMPs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to label AI-generated content?
Labeling AI-generated content 2026 requires a dual-layer approach: a visible layer for humans and an invisible disclosure for machines. For humans, clearly disclose that AI contributed to creating the content, using simple language, and implement the universally recognized "cr" icon. The invisible layer must include the C2PA standard and mandatory metadata fields.
What laws regulate AI-generated content labeling?
In the EU, the EU AI Act will become applicable on August 2, 2026. It’s the strictest regulation regarding the use of AI. In the US, there is California’s SB 942 (effective date also August 2, 2026). China’s CAC measures are the most prescriptive regarding the placement of AI labels (effective Date: September 1, 2025). India’s proposed IT rules are being finalized.
Is it mandatory to label AI-generated content?
Yes, under Europe’s EU AI Ac and California’s SB 942, labeling is no longer a suggestion, it is a mandatory requirement. The goal isn’t to prevent use of AI but rather to inform website users of the use of AI. People want to know how content was created, especially in news, advertising, health, finance, and political contexts.
Does Labeling AI Content Affect Rankings?
No, AI labeling does not negatively impact your Google search rankings. Google’s algorithms care about content quality, not who created it. However, while the AI label itself doesn’t affect Google search rankings, it can influence user behavior, triggering a chain reaction that can indirectly affect your SEO.
How to stay compliant with AI-labeling rules without hurting UX?
To comply with the EU AI Ac and California’s SB 942, use dual-layer labeling (a visible layer for humans and embed C2PA metadata for machines), implement the universally recognized "cr" icon, use plain and simple language to label AI-generated text, place watermarks and labels for audio, video, and images, and make sure users understand they are interacting with AI-generated content.