Views on YouTube Shorts count towards the channel’s total watch time, but do not count towards YouTube Partner Program (YPP) eligibility.
Channels in YPP are able to monetize videos and earn income, but not everyone is eligible to join it.
Among other criteria, acceptance of the YPP requires 4,000 hours of effective public observation in the past 12 months.
It’s not always clear whether Shorts’ views will help reach the 4,000 threshold.
Now we know for sure that the 4,000 hours of viewing must have come from regular video — or as YouTube refers to it, video-on-demand (VOD).
This is illustrated in a Q&A video on YouTube’s Creator Insider channel, which includes some related questions about Shorts.
First, let’s take a look at YouTube’s answer to the watch time question.
Do views of the shorts count towards the 4,000 hours watched?
When asked if YouTube Shorts views counted towards the 4,000 total hours watched, they confirmed they didn’t.
However, YouTube does have a “short-form fund” that enables creators to make money only from short-form videos.
“Clip views count towards your channel’s lifetime views. However, at this point they do not count towards your YPP viewing time. As a reminder, short funds can be used as a first step towards monetisation. We will keep you informed of future renew.”
This response leaves no room for explanation. Video views do not count towards meeting YPP requirements.
Here are some other questions about Shorts answered in the latest video from the YouTube Creator Insider team.
Can long-form video be repurposed for shorts?
Concerned about publishing duplicate content, the creator asked if it was possible to turn a previously published VOD into a short film.
There’s nothing wrong with repurposing a VOD, but Shorts should be able to stand on their own without the context of a VOD.
“Making short clips from published content is a great way to repurpose and experiment with clips. However, it’s important to keep in mind that many people watching in your Shorts feed may not be familiar with your channel.
So whatever content you create, make sure it’s self-contained and accessible to anyone who might not be familiar with your channel or brand. Also make sure the video is vertical. “
Will there be separate analysis for short films and VOD?
YouTube confirmed that it is improving the analytics section in YouTube Studio.
Currently, views of all types of videos are counted as one metric.
“Yes, our analytics team is working hard to break these down for Shorts, VOD (video on demand) and live.”
Should I create a separate channel for shorts?
While some creators choose to create a separate channel for Shorts content, this is only recommended if the video is different from what you’ve already created.
“It’s all up to you. We’ve seen creators succeed with both approaches. With that in mind, choosing between same-channel and second-channel is more about your creative vision. So , we recommend that you consider the type of content you want to create in Shorts.
If it’s related to your long video, and it’s an extension of that video, it probably makes the most sense to keep posting to your existing channel. However, if you want to make major adjustments, creating a separate Shorts channel may be your best route. You can always experiment, see how your audience reacts, and make changes accordingly. “
Will YouTube add custom thumbnails for shorts?
Without elaborating, it’s been revealed that YouTube is working to “address” feedback about Shorts’ custom thumbnails.
Most viewers are unlikely to see the thumbnails, though, since most Shorts views come from people viewing the feed.
“This is a question we often receive from creators and I want to acknowledge that we have heard your feedback clearly. The good news is that we are currently working on this feedback and we will keep you informed of future updates .
But as a reminder, the thumbnails on Shorts only appear on surfaces that have the Shorts shelf. It’s like on channel pages, homepage, and search results. And the vast majority of views actually happen in the feed, and the thumbnails don’t show up in that environment. “
See the full video below:
Featured image: Primakov/Shutterstock
