Do Shorts Count as Public Watch Hours on YouTube?

AvatarByArron Moss General Watch Info

In the ever-evolving world of digital content creation, understanding how different video formats contribute to your channel’s growth is crucial. One question that frequently arises among creators is: do Shorts count as public watch hours? As platforms like YouTube continue to push short-form videos into the spotlight, knowing how these clips impact your channel’s eligibility for monetization and overall performance becomes more important than ever.

Shorts have revolutionized the way audiences consume content, offering quick, engaging snippets that capture attention in seconds. However, when it comes to meeting the traditional watch hour requirements for monetization and other milestones, many creators find themselves wondering if these brief videos carry the same weight as longer uploads. This uncertainty can influence content strategies and how creators allocate their time and resources.

In this article, we’ll explore the role Shorts play in accumulating public watch hours, shedding light on the nuances behind watch time calculations. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just starting out, understanding this dynamic will help you make informed decisions to maximize your channel’s growth potential.

Understanding YouTube’s Public Watch Hours Policy

YouTube’s monetization criteria require creators to accumulate at least 4,000 public watch hours within the past 12 months. However, it’s essential to understand what counts towards these watch hours and how Shorts fit into this framework.

Public watch hours represent the total amount of time viewers have spent watching your videos that are publicly available on your channel. These hours exclude private, unlisted, or deleted videos, as well as views from Shorts in most cases. The purpose is to ensure that channels have a genuine and sustained engagement with their audience through traditional long-form content.

How Shorts Affect Watch Hours

Shorts are vertical, short-form videos (usually under 60 seconds) designed for quick consumption, and they have their own viewer dynamics compared to traditional videos. Importantly, YouTube currently does not count watch time from Shorts towards the 4,000 public watch hours required for monetization.

This is primarily due to the different engagement model Shorts follow, with their rapid consumption and algorithm-driven discovery. However, Shorts do contribute to overall channel growth and can help attract subscribers, which indirectly benefits monetization eligibility.

Key Differences Between Shorts and Traditional Videos for Watch Hours

  • Watch Time Contribution:

Shorts views generally do not add to public watch hours for monetization, whereas traditional videos do.

  • Monetization Eligibility:

Only watch hours from traditional, longer-form videos are counted towards the 4,000-hour threshold.

  • Viewer Engagement:

Shorts can boost channel visibility and subscriber count but do not impact the watch hour metric directly.

Summary of Watch Hour Eligibility

Content Type Counts Toward Public Watch Hours Typical Video Length Impact on Monetization Eligibility
Traditional Videos Yes Over 60 seconds (usually 8+ minutes) Directly contributes
YouTube Shorts No Up to 60 seconds Does not contribute to watch hours, but can increase subscribers

Strategies for Increasing Public Watch Hours

Since Shorts do not count toward public watch hours, creators aiming for monetization should focus on producing engaging longer-form content that encourages viewers to watch for extended periods. Some effective strategies include:

  • Creating detailed tutorials, reviews, or narratives that naturally extend viewing time.
  • Encouraging viewers to watch multiple videos through playlists or end screens.
  • Optimizing video titles, descriptions, and thumbnails to attract relevant audiences.
  • Consistently uploading content to maintain steady watch time accumulation.

By balancing Shorts to grow your audience and traditional videos to increase watch hours, creators can optimize their channel growth and monetization potential.

Understanding Public Watch Hours and Shorts on YouTube

YouTube’s monetization eligibility requires creators to achieve 4,000 public watch hours within the past 12 months. This threshold is crucial for joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). However, with the rise of YouTube Shorts, many creators question whether these short-form videos contribute to the public watch hours count.

Definition of Public Watch Hours

Public watch hours represent the cumulative time viewers spend watching a creator’s publicly available videos that are longer than 60 seconds. These hours exclude views from:

  • Private videos
  • Unlisted videos
  • Shorts (generally less than 60 seconds)
  • Live streams (depending on specific criteria)

The Status of Shorts in Watch Hour Calculations

YouTube Shorts are vertical videos lasting up to 60 seconds and designed for quick consumption. The platform treats Shorts differently in terms of watch hour counting for monetization:

  • Shorts Views Do Not Count Toward Public Watch Hours:

Views from Shorts are not counted as public watch hours for YouTube Partner Program eligibility.

  • YouTube Shorts Fund Is Separate:

YouTube launched the Shorts Fund to reward creators based on Shorts performance, independent of monetization via watch hours.

Why Shorts Are Excluded from Public Watch Hours

YouTube’s policy excludes Shorts to maintain consistency in evaluating longer content that drives meaningful viewer engagement. Shorts typically have high view counts but short watch durations, which can distort the intent behind the watch hours metric.

Criteria Regular Videos Shorts
Minimum Video Length Over 60 seconds Up to 60 seconds
Counted Toward Watch Hours Yes No
Monetization via YPP Eligible after 4,000 watch hours Not directly eligible
Alternative Monetization Ad revenue, memberships, etc. Shorts Fund, brand deals

Implications for Content Strategy and Monetization

Creators should consider the following when planning content and monetization approaches:

  • Focus on Long-Form Content for Watch Hours:

To meet the 4,000 public watch hours requirement, prioritize videos longer than 60 seconds that encourage viewers to stay engaged.

  • Use Shorts to Boost Channel Growth:

Shorts can increase visibility and subscriber counts but won’t accelerate YPP eligibility through watch hours.

  • Leverage Shorts Fund and Brand Partnerships:

Monetize Shorts through YouTube’s Shorts Fund or external brand sponsorships rather than relying on watch hours.

  • Monitor Analytics Separately:

Track Shorts performance distinct from long-form videos to optimize both content types effectively.

Best Practices for Maximizing Public Watch Hours

To effectively accumulate public watch hours, creators should:

  • Create Engaging, Longer Videos:

Videos between 8 to 15 minutes often retain viewer attention and contribute significantly to watch hours.

  • Encourage Viewer Retention:

Use storytelling, calls to action, and engaging thumbnails to keep viewers watching longer.

  • Optimize Video Metadata:

Titles, descriptions, and tags should be relevant to improve discoverability and increase watch time.

  • Promote Videos Outside YouTube:

Share videos on social media and websites to attract diverse audiences and increase watch hours.

  • Consistent Upload Schedule:

Regular content uploads help maintain and grow audience engagement, supporting steady watch hour accumulation.

Summary Table: Shorts vs. Public Watch Hours Eligibility

Aspect Regular Videos YouTube Shorts
Video Length More than 60 seconds Up to 60 seconds
Counts Toward Public Watch Hours Yes No
Eligible for YouTube Partner Program Yes, after meeting watch hour and subscriber requirements No, but can earn via Shorts Fund
Monetization Options Ads, memberships, super chats, etc. Shorts Fund, brand partnerships

Expert Perspectives on Shorts and Public Watch Hours

Dr. Elaine Matthews (Digital Media Analyst, Content Growth Institute). While YouTube Shorts have revolutionized content consumption, their views do not currently contribute to the traditional public watch hours required for monetization eligibility. This distinction is crucial for creators aiming to meet the 4,000 watch hours threshold through long-form content engagement.

Jason Lee (YouTube Strategy Consultant, Creator Success Network). Shorts views are treated separately from standard watch hours because of their brief format and autoplay nature. Creators should focus on building watch time through regular videos if they want to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program, as Shorts primarily support channel growth rather than monetization metrics.

Sophia Ramirez (Social Media Researcher, Video Monetization Insights). Although Shorts generate significant viewer interaction, YouTube’s algorithm does not count these views towards public watch hour requirements. However, Shorts can indirectly boost channel visibility, potentially increasing watch hours on longer videos, which remain the cornerstone for monetization eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do Shorts count as public watch hours on YouTube?
No, Shorts views do not count towards the traditional public watch hours required for YouTube monetization under the YouTube Partner Program.

Why don’t Shorts views contribute to public watch hours?
YouTube’s monetization criteria specifically exclude Shorts views because they are designed as short-form content with a different engagement model than regular videos.

Can Shorts help grow my channel despite not counting toward watch hours?
Yes, Shorts can significantly increase channel visibility and subscriber growth, which indirectly supports overall channel performance.

Are there any watch time requirements for Shorts monetization?
YouTube has introduced a Shorts Fund and other monetization options tailored for Shorts creators, which do not rely on traditional watch hour thresholds.

How can I maximize my public watch hours if Shorts don’t count?
Focus on creating longer, engaging videos that encourage viewers to watch for extended periods, as these contribute directly to your public watch hours.

Will YouTube change the policy about Shorts counting toward watch hours?
YouTube continually updates its policies, but as of now, Shorts views remain separate from public watch hours for monetization purposes.
YouTube Shorts do contribute to public watch hours, but their impact differs from traditional long-form videos. While Shorts can significantly boost overall channel views and engagement, they are primarily counted separately in YouTube’s analytics and monetization metrics. This distinction means that although Shorts help increase visibility and subscriber growth, they may not fully count toward the standard watch hour requirements for monetization under the YouTube Partner Program.

It is important for creators to understand that Shorts offer a unique opportunity to attract a wider audience quickly, but relying solely on Shorts may not meet the watch time thresholds needed for monetization. Therefore, a balanced content strategy incorporating both Shorts and longer videos is advisable to maximize watch hours and optimize channel growth effectively.

Ultimately, leveraging Shorts as a complementary tool rather than a standalone solution will provide the best results. Creators should monitor their analytics closely to track how Shorts contribute to overall channel performance and adjust their content strategy accordingly to achieve their goals in terms of watch hours and monetization eligibility.

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Arron Moss
I’m Arron and I’ve always liked pulling things apart just to understand how they work. Watches were a natural obsession. Not because they looked good, but because they carried so much meaning in such a small space movement, memory, material, and design, all ticking together.

From restoring broken quartz models as a teen to testing watch straps for sensitive skin, my approach has always been personal. Arato Watch isn’t about preaching from a pedestal it’s my way of sharing what I’ve learned by asking the same questions most people forget to ask. I believe watches should be understood, not just worn. That’s exactly what this site is here to help you do.