YouTube Enhances Shorts View Counting Method
YouTube is set to revise its approach to counting views on Shorts, the platform’s short-form video feature designed for clips lasting 60 seconds or less. Beginning March 31, 2023, views will be registered instantly when a Short is played, unlike the previous system that required viewers to watch for a specific amount of time before counting as a view.
Key Changes to View Counting
The new view-counting mechanism means that even brief glimpses—such as scrolling past a Short—will now be recorded as views. This approach mirrors the view-counting strategies already in place on popular platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
YouTube has communicated that this adjustment is a direct response to creator feedback, stating, “We hope that this deeper understanding of your Shorts performance will help you inform your content strategy.” This change aims to give creators clearer insights into audience engagement.
Engaged Views Measurement
In addition to the real-time view counts, YouTube will introduce a new metric known as “engaged views.” This measurement focuses on views generated from users who watch a Short for an extended period. This distinction will be significant in determining earnings and eligibility within the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
With the introduction of this metric, creators could potentially see an increase in earnings, especially as more users engage with their content.
Financial Implications for Creators
Since the debut of YouTube Shorts in 2021, over a quarter of creators within the YPP have monetized their content on the platform. Typically, creators earn between $0.03 and $0.07 per 1,000 views on Shorts, translating to approximately $30 to $70 for one million views, as reported by Buffer, a social media toolkit site.
Experts in the field, such as attorney and personal finance influencer Erika Kullberg, have highlighted income discrepancies between Shorts and longer videos. With over 21 million followers across various social media platforms, Kullberg found that her high-performing Shorts, despite receiving millions of views, generated significantly lower revenue compared to her traditional YouTube videos.
For instance, her Shorts have received view counts ranging from 6.3 million to 48 million, yet they yield far less income than her longer videos. Her 48-second Short on negotiating medical bills garnered about $106.85, while her 12-minute video on quitting her job, with 3.9 million views, generated $45,639.14.
The Future of YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts continues to attract massive audience engagement, boasting an average of 70 billion views daily. As creators adapt to these changes in how views are counted, the platform anticipates that the shift will enhance engagement metrics and overall earnings opportunities for its content creators.
As the landscape of social media evolves, these updates may help YouTube better compete with its counterparts, solidifying its status as a vital platform for creators in today’s digital economy.
