With the rising popularity of short-form video apps, you might be confused about the duration of each platform. One of the thoughts on your mind will be how long are YouTube Shorts. In this guide, I will walk you through a short introduction of YT Shorts and the ideal duration of YouTube shorts.
What Are YouTube Shorts and Why Use Them?
YouTube Shorts are essentially short-form, vertical videos that you can post to YouTube. They are quick to make and easily consumable by your target audience. In a world of decreasing attention spans, creators are leveraging YouTube shorts to capture their audience’s attention, provide them with valuable information, and attract them toward their long-form videos.
How Long Can a YouTube Shorts Video Be, and What Are Its Key Requirements?
Let’s answer the ideal question: how long are YouTube shorts? When YT launched this feature, its length used to be between 15 seconds to 60 seconds. However, according to YouTube’s latest update, you can now upload YT shorts up to 3 minutes long. Your audience cannot skip through the shorts videos as they watch, and hence, it keeps them engaged consistently.
These videos must be shot in a 9:16 aspect ratio with a vertical orientation. You can choose to have any video resolution size if it is clearly visible to viewers. Ideally, your videos should have 1920×1080 pixels.
Also, the ideal length of your YT shorts depends on other factors such as your channel brand identity, video elements, whether it is a series or a standalone piece of video content, audience attention span, and the type of niche.
How long can a YouTube Short be
0-15 Seconds: If you want to deliver quick news or a punchline. This is an ideal length. Also, this type of video is rewatched.
15-30 Seconds: A perfect length, not too short or long. Enough for the majority of the audience’s attention span. This type of video is ideal for a looping effect.
30-60 Seconds: For this length, you can add story-based content, enough to build tension or create curiosity. The length is mainly used to divert viewers to long-form content.
How the Algorithm Affects YouTube Shorts?
Creating content with YouTube Shorts is crucial if you want to dominate the platform. The increasing competition and quick adoption among the younger target audience make it necessary for content creators like you to create more engaging shorts. But how does the algorithm affect the Shorts feed? Here are a few reasons:
100% Watch Rate
If viewers watch your video to its completion. The algorithm will pick it as valuable content and suggest it to more viewers, but it also goes vice versa; if viewers quickly swipe up, then the algorithm takes it as unvaluable content.
Increases Discoverability
Similar to your YouTube home feed, YT Shorts also has its own feed. This allows you to show your content to a massive audience and increase the viewer-to-subscriber ratio. Once they start interacting with shorts in their feed, there are higher chances that they will visit your channel and its videos to know more.
Higher chances of audience engagement
If any one of your shorts goes viral, there is a high chance that the YT algorithm will show it to more and more people, thus attracting more engagement on your channel. Additionally, compared to long videos, short videos tend to keep users engaged on the platform for a longer period.
Easily Shareable
You can share your YouTube shorts on any social platform, from posts to online chats. This is one of the most significant advantages of creating YT shorts content. Its broad compatibility with other platforms helps to drive more viewers to your channel.
YouTube Shorts Length Affects the Monetization
The length doesn’t directly affect the monetization, but it can affect the algorithm. As we discussed above, if people quickly swipe up content, the algorithm will push it away, making monetization difficult.
The length-to-watch time ratio also matters. YouTube allows uploading vertical videos up to 3 minutes. If the retention of the audience is high, it’s beneficial, and low retention makes monetization more challenging.
Additionally, to enable ad revenue. You need 10 million Shorts views within 90 days. This makes the length a crucial aspect when it comes to monetization.
YouTube Shorts Tips: To Utilize Every Second
The swiping feature is good, but also dangerous. It takes a millisecond to swipe up content and never see it again. So a creator needs to make every second count. Let’s see how long can a YouTube Short be. Here are a few tips to engage viewers strongly:
Goal-oriented: If you know the goal of your video, you will conceptualize it accordingly. For example, a quick tip video can be made under 30 seconds. Whereas a complex topic or mini-story may require 60 seconds.
Immediate Hook: The first few seconds make it or break it. You can hook using your editing skills or storytelling. Whatever you are good at. The goal is to hook them till the end.
A perfect end: End your Short in a way that creates curiosity among viewers to watch it again till the end. YouTube counts the rewatch as two separate views.
Loop the video: You can use editing to make the end of the Short and the start similar, creating a perfect loop. People will watch the same video multiple times, which will increase your views, or they will be impressed by the loop effect.
High Visuals and Audio
The exceptional editing, transitions, continuous frame movement, and audio all provide the mind with constant stimulation. By doing this, you are increasing retention and watch time.
Conclusion
If you haven’t considered creating shorts on YouTube, you should start today, as it is now considered one of the criteria to become part of the Monetization Policy. You can also use these methods to optimize your Shorts, reach a maximum audience, and become a part of the YPP. In the blog, we discussed how long can a YouTube Short can be. Also, know that creating these shorts consistently helps you promote your videos on YouTube indirectly without relying on any paid methods. Since you now know how long are YouTube Shorts, you can choose to make short-form videos 3 minutes long on YT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can YouTube Shorts be 2 minutes?
Yes, you can upload YouTube Shorts that are 2 minutes long. As of October 2024, YouTube officially extended the Shorts length to 3 minutes.
Q2. How do I post a 3-minute YouTube Short?
Select the vertical 9:16 ratio for the video, then upload it by tapping the Create icon. Select Short or Upload a video and add videos. You can add a video up to 3 minutes long.
Q3. How much do YouTube Shorts pay for 1000 views?
YouTube Shorts usually pays between $0.01 and $0.06 per 1K views. The pay can vary based on niche, location, music, engagement, and other factors.
Q4. How long does a YouTube Short have to be to make money?
To make money, you need to have 1,000 subscribers and 10 million shorts views within 90 days. Or 4000 watch hours in the last year.
