Starting March 31, 2025, YouTube is rolling out a major update to how Shorts views are counted, and it’s more than just a numbers tweak.
This change is meant to align YouTube with how TikTok and Instagram Reels measure views while giving creators a clearer picture of both reach and real engagement.
Until now, YouTube only counted a view on Shorts after someone watched your video for a few seconds. That made sense for filtering out the casual scrollers, but it also meant your content wasn’t always getting credit for visibility.
Now, that’s changing.
Under the new system, a view will be counted when your Short starts playing, even if the viewer scrolls away immediately. This aligns YouTube with platforms like TikTok, where every auto-play counts as a view.
This change gives you a more accurate sense of your video’s reach. It shows how many people at least saw your Short start to play. It might inflate your total view count, but it also gives creators insight into visibility, not just engagement.
Introducing “Engaged Views”
To balance things out, YouTube is introducing a second metric: Engaged Views.
These viewers stick around for a bit—those who watch your Short past a certain threshold (though YouTube hasn’t said exactly how long). This metric matters when it comes to monetization, content performance, and audience loyalty.
If you’re aiming to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), Engaged Views are what count toward eligibility. For example:
3 million Engaged Views in 90 days → Early access to the YPP.
10 million Engaged Views in 90 days → Eligibility for Shorts ad revenue sharing.
So, while total views might feel exciting, Engaged Views are still the gold standard for growth and earnings.
Where to Find These Metrics in YouTube Studio
To help creators make sense of it all, YouTube Studio now splits these views into two places:
Views → The Shorts Overview tab shows the total number of plays—whether someone watched for a second or not.
Engaged Views → This is found in the Shorts Engagement tab (inside Advanced Mode) and shows how many people actually watched meaningfully.
Pro tip: Turn on Advanced Mode in YouTube Studio so you can see both metrics side-by-side. This gives you the complete picture of who’s seeing your content and who’s sticking with it.
With these changes, creators have a clearer way to separate reach from resonance. Here’s how to use that to your advantage:
Track Both Metrics: Yes, your total views may spike, but focus on Engaged Views to understand how your content is performing truly.
Communicate with Brands Clearly: If you’re working with sponsors or pitching your analytics, explain the difference between views and engaged views. Brands may be drawn to high reach, but they’ll value engagement even more.
Adjust Your Content Strategy: Test different content formats to see what keeps viewers watching longer. Are shorter cuts keeping people hooked? Are longer narratives working better? Now you’ve got data to guide those decisions.
This update reminds us that not all views are created equal. YouTube is giving creators a broader perspective on visibility and depth. While inflated views may look impressive, your Engaged Views tell the real story.
Whether you’re chasing monetization, brand deals, or simply trying to grow a loyal community, this new dual-metric system will help you make smarter, more strategic choices.
