YouTube Shorts Can Now Be Up to 3 Minutes Long, Everything You NEED to Know!

Starting October 15th, 2024, YouTube will allow Creators to post YouTube Shorts (Vertical Format Videos) that are up to 1 Minute to 3 Minutes long instead of only videos under 60 seconds.

To avoid confusion, you will still be able to post videos under 60 seconds and monetize them, but also be able upload vertical videos up to 3 minutes in length.

This change will NOT effect previously uploaded vertical videos that over one minute long.

This is a HUGE change for the platform, but most Creators are confused about it and "why they should be making 3 minute Shorts".

That confusion is based in the wrong idea; this change means that Creators already posting content over 1 minute long to TikTok in order to monetize their content in the TikTok Creativity Program, will be able to post that same content to YouTube without having to edit the video down.

It also means that Creators don't have to rush through a Short-form video that tells a story or gives some simple tutorial or advice that takes 80 seconds to deliver properly, and can be less anxious about whether their content will fit.

Most formats for Short-form video on YouTube will benefit from this, and it doesn't hurt anyone who wants to post videos less than 60 seconds, it just gives Creators more options.

Unlike TikTok, creators on YouTube can also monetize content that is under 60 seconds, so this gives creators more options and more benefits for prioritizing their short form content on YouTube, and repurposing it to more platforms, instead of the other way around.

There is also the fear among Creators that this means longer Shorts will get more preference in YouTube.

This idea comes from the myth that YouTube rewards longer videos. While it's true that YouTube wants viewers to stay on YouTube longer, YouTube matches viewers to videos instead of the other way around, meaning that it will be based on what a viewer prefers.?

If a viewer prefers and stays on YouTube longer because of short and sweet videos, that is what they will get more of. If they prefer deeper cuts that go on a bit longer, then that is what they will see more of.

YouTube is optimized around individual user preference and enjoyment, its not exclusively or aggressively based around trending patterns like TikTok is. Popular trends on YouTube are popular with certain groups, if you're not part of that group, YouTube understands your preferences and acts on you as an individual viewer.

What this means for Creators is they shouldn't feel pressured to make videos longer or shorter, but to make videos based on what lets them make the project the best it can be for their audience, and to cater to what their audience prefers.

My own take on this is that this is exclusively a positive change for Creators and will benefit several types of formats on the platform including music, animation, storytelling, tutorials and storytelling.?

Currently there are not details as the impact this will have on Short-form revenue.