YouTube is shaking up how it counts views on its Shorts platform. The change means a view will be registered every time a user opens a Short, no matter how long they watch it. This brings YouTube in line with TikTok and Instagram, which count views from the very start.
Previously, a Short only counted as a view if a user watched it for a certain amount of time. The new system is a big win for creators, who will get a clearer picture of how many times their videos are being shown. However, YouTube says this change won’t affect creators’ earnings or eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program.
What matters for income is still “engaged views” – the time users actually spend watching content. So while Shorts may rack up more views, watch time will still determine ad revenue and participation in the monetization program.
This update brings YouTube closer to TikTok and Instagram Reels, where views are counted from the first second. On these platforms, if a user scrolls through their feed and a video appears briefly, it automatically counts as a view.
By making this change, YouTube is boosting its Shorts platform and competing better in the vertical content space. The goal is to attract users who have found TikTok and Instagram more favorable for making their short videos go viral. This is just one of many steps YouTube is taking to make Shorts a key part of its content ecosystem and stay competitive in the short video market.
How this change affects creators
The new view count system will help creators see how their content is performing on the platform. With more accurate view counts, creators can better understand their audience and create content that resonates with them.
YouTube’s strategy to take on TikTok and Instagram
By adopting a similar view count system, YouTube is acknowledging the popularity of TikTok and Instagram’s approach. The company is positioning itself to attract creators who have found success on these platforms. With its vast user base and robust monetization options, YouTube is poised to become a major player in the short video market.
- YouTube’s new view count system brings it in line with TikTok and Instagram
- Creators will get a clearer picture of their video’s performance
- Watch time still determines ad revenue and monetization program participation
- YouTube is competing more aggressively in the vertical content space