YouTube is implementing a modification in how it calculates view counts for YouTube Shorts to provide creators with a more comprehensive understanding of their short-form content’s performance, the company announced on Wednesday.
Under the new system, Shorts views will account for each instance a creator’s Short begins to play or is replayed.
Previously, a view was recorded after a Short had been watched for a specific number of seconds. This update will likely result in higher view counts moving forward.
YouTube has stated that the change is a response to creators’ desire to comprehend the frequency at which their Shorts are actually viewed. The intention is to allow creators to better demonstrate the full extent of their reach, aiding them in shaping their content strategies and presenting their work to potential brand partners.
This update aligns YouTube Shorts’ metrics with those of TikTok and Instagram Reels, both of which measure the number of times a video starts or replays. YouTube emphasizes that creators will now be better equipped to understand how their short-form videos perform across multiple platforms.
For creators interested in the original Shorts metric, it remains accessible via “Advanced Mode” within YouTube Analytics. This metric, now termed “engaged views,” will continue to provide insight into how many viewers opt to continue watching their Shorts.
YouTube clarified that this change will not affect creators’ earnings or their eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program, as both remain dependent on engaged views rather than the revised metric.
The adjustment will take effect on March 31.
