Myth: using stock b-roll tanks your Shorts because it's 'unoriginal'

Myth: using stock b-roll tanks your Shorts because it's 'unoriginal'
People conflate reused YouTube clips (which DO get suppressed) with licensed stock. They're different. Licensed stock under your own narration and edit is original content.

B-roll sources tested
— Pexels/Pixabay: free, decent, everyone uses the same 20 clips
— Storyblocks: $30/mo, deeper library
— Runway AI b-roll: $12/mo, generates unique shots

Pros: AI-generated b-roll is genuinely unique, dodges the 'same clip' problem.
Cons: free stock is recognizable; AI b-roll still has artifacts.

Price: free works, Runway from $12/mo.
Best for: faceless channels needing visual variety.
Verdict: stock is fine if licensed and edited. For uniqueness, Runway beats free Pexels. Skip if you've got real footage.