The most vital question for marketing YouTube videos is whether the video length should be long or short.
According to recent video trends, shorter videos with a duration of less than a minute seem to gain popularity faster than long videos. However, if we consider the fact that the length of a video depends on factors such as the content, purpose, and even the type of viewing platform.
So, it is nearly impossible to convey the message of certain video types in such a short duration. This has led many creators to question; which video length contributes better to the popularity of their channel.
In this article, we will dissect the differences between long videos and short videos. We will also discuss the importance of YouTube’s very new feature, “YouTube Shorts” and how it influences the algorithm.
Table of Contents
Short Videos VS Long Videos
Short-form videos are those under the duration of 10 minutes, and they are considered easier to create. If curated properly, they can be a vital aspect in generating an audience, as snackable content is on the rise.
Longer format videos are mainly for educational purposes, storytelling, or documentaries. This framework is quite impactful and beneficial for creators as the longer the watch time on your channel, the higher you will rank on YouTube.
However, videos with longer duration require more effort compared to short videos. They have often been considered a risky deal. So, many new creators lean on short-length videos to gain an audience and reduce the risk factors of flopping.
Long Videos
It is a fact that great content earns more than any factor for a video. If you have ample material that will keep the audience hooked for a long while, then longer-length videos should not be an issue to gain traffic.
Here are some ways you can benefit from longer-length videos:
Segments:
If you have content for long-form videos, you can easily divide your videos into segments. This will allow your audience to easily navigate to the content they prefer watching rather than skipping to a more concise video from another channel.
Segments work great for educational videos, and you can benefit from them to a great extent. Instead of putting a lot of work into the overall quality you can focus on making some segments captivating enough for the audience to stick around for the rest of them to roll out.
One important hack is to be precise and to the point when naming your segments. This helps in trust-building with the audience as they will be able to tell what is in store for them if they choose to watch your content.
Again, quality content is the key! Filler segments aren’t as beneficial as parts of the video with actual material. Try to incorporate bits of the essential info in each segment so it is not considered skippable.
Advertisements:
Once you are sure you will have your audience fully engaged with your catchy content, you can strategically add promos and ads mid-video. This will reduce the chances of viewer loss, and you will be able to earn some extra cash on your videos.
Playlists:
Aside from segments, you can sort your videos in the playlist section of YouTube. If the metadata and segments are arranged accordingly, your video will have more chances of appearing in the suggested column.
With all the content assorted in one place, your older videos will become more accessible and gain views without additional promos.
Pros of Long Youtube Videos
- Offers the creators enough time to deliver detailed content
- Contribute to YouTube rankings
- You can incorporate ads
Cons of Long Youtube Videos
- Does not assist with generating an audience
- Requires more effort and resources
- Risky
Pro tip:
If you are finding it difficult to juggle between writing scripts, filming, and editing your videos then we would suggest outsourcing your project to get the job done. Make your life easier with EditVideo.io, which is a great service platform for video editing of all sorts.
Here, you can avail highly skilled professionals so you won’t even have to go through the hassle of hunting for the perfect editor.
Besides this, you will have a dedicated editor to assist you at all times. So, it is like you are editing the video yourself! Moreover, this service is way cheaper than other fancy editing tools. Plus, you can expect the turnover within 24 hours!
Short Videos
Short videos have a higher potential to capture the viewer’s attention and retain the audience. They also work as a portal to attract traffic to your longer videos.
These days not many people have the attention span or the time to watch lengthy videos from new creators or other than what they usually watch. According to research, about 60% of the viewers will stop watching the video after two minutes and switch to a different one. So, it is important to make the video appear catchy within the first two minutes of the video.
With the increase in smartphone usage due to comfort reasons people prefer watching YouTube more on their phones rather than on any other device. So, to match the compatibility of mobile videos, creators will benefit more from shorter-length videos.
Here’s the type of content you can use to build interesting short videos.
Shareable Content
People look for relatable content when looking for videos to watch. Mobile users are said to be contributing the most when it comes to the share button.
So, you should focus on content that is relatable and piques the viewer’s interest. Shareable content is also known as snackable content, and this idea is generated from TikTok videos and Instagram reels. The more entertaining your videos are the more shares you will get and eventually a bigger audience traffic to your page.
You can add self-promo links and such within these videos. This will allow the viewer to be directed to your promo material within a single tap.
Tutorials
Short-form videos are great for precise how-to guides or tutorials. Many food bloggers, fashion bloggers, and so one can easily take advantage of this format to retain audience attention.
These are great for social media consumption, and people can share this sort of content as well.
This video by the famous food channel Tasty is one example of how you can make short guides in fun ways. This video successfully delivers the agenda of peeling garlic within 2 minutes.
Tasty has added short B-roll clips and catchy background music so the viewer doesn’t get bored. Notice how the title of the video is to the point, which tells the audience exactly what they are looking for.
Pros of Short Youtube Videos
- Shareable
- Easy to make and require low resources
- Attracts a wider audience
Cons of Short Youtube Videos
- Will not be as impactful
- Limited content
- You cannot add a lot of detail to the videos. So, it limits the type of videos you can make.
YouTube Shorts
This feature is inspired by TikTok-style videos which are around 15 seconds to a minute long. With this feature, the viewer can simply scroll, and it will automatically direct them to the next video.
What is more is that it has its own like, share, and subscribe option, which adds to your main channel. So, with less effort and in a short amount of time, one can generate a wider audience and bigger traffic to their original content. Plus, with YouTube shorts, you can develop a separate audience persona so that the viewers stay hooked. This persona can be BTS videos, life updates, promos for fuller-length videos, and so on.
There is one drawback to this feature, and that is YouTube Shorts can not be monetized. So, the basic purpose behind this feature is to generate engagement only.
Long Videos VS Short Videos: Which one is it?
While shorts are perfect for gaining an audience, long-form videos help with building authority and giving you a better rank. Both are essential in their areas, their usage depends on what is the main objective or goal of your channel and your target audience.
If your target audience is an older group, mainly boomers and millennials, then it is pointless to invest in YouTube shorts or snackable short videos. For a serious older audience, the content in your videos matters more than the length of your videos.
However, if your main target is a younger audience, then you can benefit from the length of your videos. The advent of shorter-span videos is mainly for Gen-Z, so it is important to check which audience you are going to cater to before working on the content.
Similarly, the type of channel also influences the length of your videos. A travel vlog will be opposite from a corporate-based channel.
For creators who are just beginning their YouTube journeys, short-form videos are your best friend. As a newbie, you can first focus on engagement and audience building along with quality content.
Once these two factors solidify your status in the YouTube community, then you can shift your focus to lengthy videos with extended time durations.
Final Verdict
All in all, there is no solid formula on which length of video guarantees you fame. As long as you have quality video material and public engagement skills, you are good to go.
Hopefully, this article helped expand your horizon on the topic of which video length is better for YouTube. If you have some other recommendations, then make sure to share them in the comment section below!
