What's changing
Realize now includes an "AI content" checkbox in the Media section of every creative. It lets you tell us - and ultimately your audience - whether the ad you're publishing was created or substantially edited using generative AI.
Why we're introducing this
A growing list of markets now require ads that use AI-generated content (images, video, audio, or text) to be clearly disclosed to viewers. The European Union (effective 2 August 2026 under the EU AI Act) and New York are among the first; more regions are expected to follow in 2026-2027.
To keep your campaigns compliant - and to give your audience the transparency they increasingly expect - Realize will render a small "AI" label on your ad in markets that require it whenever this box is checked. Disclosure is your responsibility as the advertiser; we're building the tools to make it as easy as one click.
When you should check the box
Check "This ad contains AI-generated or AI-modified content" if any image, video, audio, or text in your ad was:
Created from scratch by a generative AI tool - for example, Midjourney, DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly, OpenAI Sora, Runway, Veo, or ElevenLabs.
Substantially edited or transformed by AI - for example, Generative Fill that adds or alters key visual elements, AI background replacement, or AI-generated translation / dubbing.
Composed of AI-generated text that addresses health, news, elections, or other matters of public interest.
What you don't need to declare
Minor enhancements like upscaling, sharpening, denoising, or color correction
Standard automatic photo edits (auto-crop, brightness, contrast)
Stock photography or video created without AI
Layout or design tools that use AI to suggest templates but don't generate the creative content itself
⚠️ Important: AI depictions of real people
Ads that use AI to generate or modify the likeness or voice of a real, identifiable person are not permitted on Realize, even with disclosure. This includes deepfakes, AI face-swaps onto real people, AI voice clones of real individuals, and AI imagery that places real public figures in fictional scenarios.
When we check it for you
We'll automatically check the AI-content box (and lock it so it can't be unchecked) when any asset in your ad was created using Realize's own Gen AI tools - for example:
Motion Ads (when generated from a still image using our AI motion engine)
Realize's Gen AI image and video tools
Other AI-powered creative features inside Realize
We do this because we already know the AI source for these assets and want to spare you the manual step. The disclosure is locked because removing it would create an inaccurate record.
To unlock the checkbox, replace the AI-generated asset(s) with non-AI media. The box will become editable again automatically.
What happens after the box is checked
A small, unobtrusive "AI" label appears next to your ad when it's delivered in markets that require AI-content disclosure (e.g., the EU, New York). In other markets, no label appears, but your declaration is logged.
Bidding, targeting, budget, and pacing are unaffected. The label is purely a transparency signal.
Your declaration is stored as part of your ad's transparency record where regulators require it.
Why honest declaration matters
It is a legal requirement in a growing list of markets. Misdeclaration can lead to ad rejection, account-level warnings, and - in regulated markets - fines on you as the advertiser.
Audiences increasingly expect transparency around AI. Disclosure tends to build durable trust, especially in regulated verticals.
Honest declarations make it easier for Realize to keep your campaigns running smoothly in every market without surprise pauses or reviews.
Note: This guidance is provided for platform operational and compliance purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Advertisers are responsible for ensuring their content complies with all applicable local laws and regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check the box for ads that won't be served in the EU or New York?
Do I need to check the box for ads that won't be served in the EU or New York?
The legal obligation depends on where your ad is delivered. Realize uses your declaration plus the delivery geography to decide whether to render the AI label. The safest practice is to declare accurately for every ad - if it isn't delivered in a regulated market, no label appears, but your declaration stays on file.
What if I'm using AI only for the headline or description text?
What if I'm using AI only for the headline or description text?
For commercial copy aimed at selling a product or service, disclosure is generally not required in most markets today. But for ads addressing health, finance, elections, or other public-interest topics, AI-generated text is in scope and must be declared. When in doubt, declare it.
What counts as "substantially edited" vs minor?
What counts as "substantially edited" vs minor?
Use this rule of thumb: if the AI changed the meaning, identity, or core visual story of the content, it's substantial. If it improved the technical quality (sharpness, brightness, denoising) without changing what's depicted, it's minor.
Can I update my declaration after publishing?
Can I update my declaration after publishing?
Yes. You can update the AI-content declaration from the campaign edit screen at any time. Changes apply going forward.
Why was the checkbox automatically checked and locked on my ad?
Why was the checkbox automatically checked and locked on my ad?
This means at least one asset in your ad was generated using Realize's own Gen AI tools - we know it's AI, so we declare it for you. To unlock the box, swap the AI-generated asset(s) for non-AI media.
How will I know which asset triggered the auto-declaration?
How will I know which asset triggered the auto-declaration?
In the Media section, the AI-generated asset is marked with an "AI" badge on its thumbnail.
Will the "AI" label hurt my campaign performance?
Will the "AI" label hurt my campaign performance?
The label is small and clearly secondary to your creative. We will monitor and share performance-impact data as we observe it across markets.
What about audio-only ads or video voiceovers generated by AI?
What about audio-only ads or video voiceovers generated by AI?
AI-generated voiceover, narration, or music is in scope. Check the box.
✅ If you have questions or concerns, contact your Account Manager, chat with Abby, our AI assistant on realize, email support@taboola.com or contact our support over live chat within Realize.