YouTube Launches INCREDIBLE UPDATE... 30% More Views!

Summary

YouTube has announced a new method for counting views on Shorts, which will begin on March 31. Instead of requiring a minimum watch time, every start or replay of a short will count as a view. This change is expected to increase view counts by 30%, although the previous method of calculating engaged views will still be available. The update may not impact actual engagement, and only engaged views will continue to determine eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program and monetization, raising questions about the perceived vs. actual value of views.

Highlights

• YouTube is changing how Shorts views are counted, promising potentially more views. 🎥
• From March 31, views will count each time a Short is played or replayed with no minimum watch time. 🕒
• This could lead to a 30% increase in view counts for Shorts creators. 📈
• Despite higher view numbers, actual engagement metrics like watch time and comments remain crucial. 👍
• The eligibility for monetization remains based on engaged views, not just the inflated view counts. 💸
• Overall, this update might affect perceptions more than actual metrics or creator revenue. 💭

Key Takeaways

• YouTube Shorts view counts will now include every start and replay, potentially boosting views by 30%! 🎉
• Engaged views remain important for monetization and the YouTube Partner Program, keeping things fair and balanced. ⚖️
• Creators might experience a 'placebo effect' with increased view counts, but actual engagement metrics like likes and comments won't change. 🤔
• The update may alter viewer and sponsor perceptions, making Shorts seem more successful than they are. 👀
• Remember, engaging content is still key! More views don't magically mean more success or monetization eligibility. 🌟

Overview

YouTube has introduced a game-changing update that is set to redefine how views on Shorts are calculated. Previously, a view required a Short to be watched for a few seconds, but with the new changes rolling out on March 31, every start and replay of a Short will count as a view. This is expected to inflate view numbers significantly, with estimates suggesting an increase of about 30%! While this might seem like a huge win for creators, it's important to peel back the layers and understand what it actually represents.

The update is sparking conversations among creators about the value and meaning of views. While increased view counts might initially appear to enhance a creator’s profile, all other engagement metrics like likes, comments, and watch time remain unchanged. Moreover, when it comes to monetization and eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program, it’s not the sheer number of views that count, but 'engaged views'—a metric that measures genuine interaction. So, the real question is whether this change is more of a digital smoke and mirrors or truly beneficial for creators.

This new view-count method could alter external perceptions—viewers and sponsors might perceive creators as having more popular content, comparable to platforms like TikTok and Instagram. However, creators must recognize that despite potentially inflated numbers, the only way to maintain a successful channel is by focusing on producing engaging, quality content. More views are just numbers unless they lead to a deeper connection with the audience and meet the monetization criteria based on engaged views.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to YouTube View Count Changes This chapter introduces a change in how YouTube counts views for Shorts. Previously, a view was counted after a short had been played for a specific duration. However, YouTube is making an update to help users understand how often Shorts are viewed. Although views for Shorts seemed straightforward to some, the update, starting March 31st, aims to ensure that content creators get a more accurate representation of how their content is being consumed.
• 00:30 - 01:00: New Counting Method for Shorts Views This chapter discusses a new method for counting the views of Shorts, where each play or replay is counted without considering the minimum watch time. The concept revolves around how analytics track the number of times a Short was viewed, distinguishing between complete or partial views and those instances where the Short was quickly skipped. The explanation aims to clarify this counting mechanism and its implications, inviting feedback on its clarity.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Impact on View Metrics and Impressions The chapter discusses the discrepancy between view metrics and impressions on YouTube, specifically in the context of YouTube Shorts. Despite achieving 7,200 views on a Short, 2,800 individuals swiped away, indicating disinterest. Traditionally, these views combined with impressions would total 10,000, but there's a shift towards equating impressions directly with views. This adjustment alters the perception of engagement, emphasizing actual viewer interest in content. The chapter aims to clarify this concept and its implications for content creators.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Chucky's View Increase Prediction The chapter discusses a prediction by Chucky, a YouTube analytics expert for Mr Beast, regarding an increase in views for YouTube Shorts. Chucky believes that by a specific date, March 31st, all the shorts will receive a minimum increase of 30% in views. The narrative is presented in a casual tone as if swiping through content without much interest, yet still noting the significant potential for increased viewership.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Effects on YouTube Shorts Creators This chapter discusses significant updates related to YouTube Shorts and their impact on creators. Starting from March 31st, a new method for counting views on Shorts will be implemented. However, this update will not affect the historical view counts of Shorts. Additionally, a new scorecard tool is introduced, which tracks historical data and is available through a free browser extension. This change is emphasized to be noteworthy for creators, especially those focusing solely on Shorts.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Engaged Views vs New View Count The chapter discusses the distinction between engaged views and new view count in YouTube analytics. YouTube continues counting each loop as a view; however, the original method of counting views is being retained under 'engaged views,' available through advanced analytics. Engaged views remain significant and are emphasized in the chapter. YouTube's updates in its analytics are highlighted.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Creators' Performance and Perception Shift This chapter discusses the changes in creators' performance and perception regarding YouTube Shorts. It highlights how creators are experiencing a significant boost in viewership, with an estimated 30% improvement overnight. However, it emphasizes that while the perception of increased success is prevalent, the underlying reality or engagement metrics remain unchanged.
• 03:30 - 04:00: Algorithm Impact and Metrics Clarification Chapter Title: Algorithm Impact and Metrics Clarification. This chapter discusses the potential influence of views and metrics on YouTube's algorithm. The speaker questions if more views necessarily result in positive signals to the algorithm. It is clarified that metrics such as average view duration are still evaluated based on engaged views. The speaker acknowledges a creator, Rene, for confirming this information, pondering whether it effectively means that positive signals are not guaranteed by mere view counts.
• 04:00 - 04:30: Placebo Effect and External Perspectives This chapter explores the concept of the placebo effect within the context of YouTube content creation. It discusses how increasing view counts on YouTube does not necessarily correlate with higher engagement metrics such as likes, comments, subscribers, or watch time. The discussion suggests that YouTube might be employing a placebo effect to influence creators’ perceptions about their content's success, even though the fundamental engagement metrics remain unchanged.
• 04:30 - 05:00: YouTube Partner Program and Monetization This section discusses the YouTube Partner Program and Monetization specifically focusing on the perception of views on YouTube Shorts. It highlights that while more views may be achieved on YouTube Shorts, it doesn't necessarily change the intrinsic value or financial benefits for the content creator. The talk suggests that despite content getting more views, the external perception—among viewers and sponsors—might inflate comparative success. This chapter points out the importance of looking at metrics and success from a broader perspective, rather than fixating solely on view counts which can sometimes be misleading. The mention of conspiracy theories suggests a level of skepticism about how these metrics are perceived or perhaps manipulated. The discussion hints at upcoming topics, and the speaker reminds themselves to return to the main subject matter after digressing into personal interpretations.
• 05:00 - 05:30: Clarification on Engaged Views The chapter discusses the effect of a change in YouTube Shorts views on YouTube Partner Program eligibility and payouts. It's clarified that there won't be any changes to the eligibility criteria or how payouts are calculated. The program will use an 'engaged view' metric instead, which might affect the actual views count required to start earning ad revenue. As an example, a scenario is described where a user sees 10 million Shorts views in analytics yet only has 8 million 'engaged views,' impacting their revenue prospects.
• 05:30 - 06:00: Conclusion: Implications of View Changes This chapter discusses the importance of 'engaged views' for content creators in the context of monetization. Previously, creators could rely on a general 'earn screen' to determine their monetization status. However, with the updated requirements, only 'engaged views' count toward shorts monetization. The chapter emphasizes the need for clear communication to creators about these changes, while acknowledging the challenges in effectively educating them on what constitutes an 'engaged view.'

YouTube Launches INCREDIBLE UPDATE... 30% More Views! Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 I promise you this video is not clickbait YouTube is literally guaranteeing you more views but are they clickbait views historically on YouTube a view has been counted after a shot was played for a certain number of seconds however we've heard that you want to understand how often your shorts are seen which is why we're making this update have we been asking for this update Short's views have always seemed pretty straightforward to me so beginning on the 31st of March Short's views will
• 00:30 - 01:00 count the number of times your short starts to play or replay with no minimum watch time requirement all right then there is a lot to unpack there and I have been racking my brain on how to explain this as simply as possible so here's my best shot and if it does make sense then make sure to give me a thumbs up it's all to do with this analytic that measures the number of times a short was viewed that's a bit about watching a short for a certain number of seconds versus those that didn't and very quickly swiped away from the SH now let's say this sh was viewed
• 01:00 - 01:30 7,200 times but 2,800 people swiped away because they weren't interested the way it works now is that you would simply get 7,200 views from that YouTube sh and if you combine these numbers together you get a nice round number of 10,000 let's say Impressions on the short and that's a figure that's going to change instead of 10,000 Impressions you simply get 10,000 views so what does all of this mean in the real YouTube World well let me give you a demonstration as I understand it all of these shorts and
• 01:30 - 02:00 I'm just swiping through very quickly and paying no attention to because I have no interest in them and to be honest I'm just doing this for fun all of these shorts from March the 31st are going to get a view all right there you go views for everybody what fun this is going to be Chucky who's a YouTube analytics Guru for Mr Beast reckons this will increase shorts views by a minimum of 30% so that means in theory 30% more views here
• 02:00 - 02:30 and also here and for channels that only make shorts here as well and it'll also be reflected in our brand new scorecard that tracks all of the critical historical data of a YouTube sh it is completely free when you download our browser extension which is linked in the description below and this is going to feel like a big change for creators because it only applies on shorts going forward from the 31st of March none of the Short's views historically will change to this new method of counting views and on top of this thoughts that
• 02:30 - 03:00 Loop over and over again will count for a view every time it Loops over but what about this original method of counting shorts views is it simply going away well no it's still going to be available through advanced analytics under a new term called engaged views H yes engaged views they are still really really important and we'll get back to why in a second because first of all we need to all start cele in right YouTube has just
• 03:00 - 03:30 gifted every single Creator who makes YouTube shorts more views overnight creators are going to be performing an estimated 30% better than what they were yesterday if they don't understand what these changes mean because here's the truth at least from my point of view the reality hasn't changed at all but the perception has these 10,000 engagements on YouTube short are still the same
• 03:30 - 04:00 they've just been combined to produce what appears to be a more favorable number but I hear you argue surely more views means more positive signals to the YouTube algorithm well that doesn't seem to be the case when asked about how metrics such as average view duration might be affected Rene a v YouTube Creator leeron who does an amazing job by the way did confirm that stuff like this will still be measured against engaged views now maybe I'm oversimplifying things but doesn't that basically mean that the
• 04:00 - 04:30 only thing that's changing is this number and that absolutely every other number is going to stay exactly the same in this instance more views doesn't mean more likes more comments more subscribers more watch time and that just sounds a little bit daff doesn't It ultimately what this sounds like to me from a Creator's perspective is that YouTube has just created a placebo effect you and every single other YouTube shorts Creator is going to get
• 04:30 - 05:00 more views but it doesn't change a damn thing but maybe we need to look at all of this from an external perspective viewers will think your shorts are getting more views sponsors will think you're getting more views and compared to other platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram shorts will be seen as a place where your content can get more views that would be a weird kind of views flex but okay and maybe I'm just getting scrambled up with conspiracy theories that I'm inventing out fin we need to get back to the topic in hand because we haven't yet T talked about perhaps the
• 05:00 - 05:30 most important thing when it comes to a change in YouTube shorts views what about YouTube Partner program eligibility or payouts yeah there's going to be no change to ypp eligibility and no change to how payouts are calculated we're going to rely on an engage view metric for that oh wa what imagine for a moment that you're checking your analytics and you see that you've hit 10 million shorts views that should be enough to start earning ad Revenue except it isn't because you actually only have 8 million
• 05:30 - 06:00 engaged views which you can only access through advanced analytics now of course there is always the earn screen which should tell a Creator exactly where they are for monetization requirements but now strictly speaking only engaged views count towards the shorts monetization requirements and that needs to be communicated to creators very clearly and it feels like for the past almost six minutes I've been trying to educate you all on what is an Engaged view with limited success probably but maybe the
• 06:00 - 06:30 bigger question is why am I trying to educate you on engaged views please somebody in the comments let me know if you've been asking for this change to YouTube shorts views because it just seems as if it's come out of nowhere and when we talk about the importance of a view I'll go back to my earlier demonstration doesn't this simply devalue them