I Studied 5,400 YT Shorts to CRACK the Algorithm

Summary

This video script delves into the findings of a comprehensive study analyzing over 5,500 YouTube shorts to understand the platform's algorithm better. It highlights five key insights, emphasizing the importance of average view duration and video length for maximizing watch time. The script also discusses the 'viewed versus swiped away' metric, suggesting that a higher percentage indicates a better chance of virality. Additionally, it compares the subscriber and monetization potential of shorts versus long-form videos, providing valuable insights for creators aiming to grow their audience and revenue.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The video discusses a study analyzing over 5,500 YouTube shorts across 34 niches to understand the algorithm for going viral.
• 📈 The study was conducted by Paddy Galley, a YouTube expert who has generated billions of views and worked with major creators.
• 🎨 The YouTube shorts algorithm works by initially showing random popular content to new viewers and then building a profile based on their engagement to serve more niche-specific content.
• 📊 High average view duration is a key factor in a short's success, with top-performing shorts averaging between 50 to 60 seconds of watch time.
• 📉 Shorts with lower average view duration tend to have fewer views, indicating the importance of holding viewer attention for longer periods.
• 📹 Longer shorts have the potential for higher watch time and average view duration, which YouTube's algorithm favors.
• 👀 The 'Viewed Versus Swiped Away' (VVSA) metric is crucial, measuring the percentage of viewers who watch a short versus those who swipe away, indicating the quality of the short's hook.
• 📚 A high VVSA (70-90) can lead to hundreds of thousands of views, but it's not a guarantee for virality.
• 🤔 The study found that long-form videos gain more subscribers per view compared to shorts, suggesting a trade-off between content type and subscriber growth.
• 💰 YouTube shorts have been monetized, with earnings per thousand views increasing post-monetization, though still lower than long-form videos.
• 🚀 The presenter suggests that understanding these insights can help creators make more engaging shorts that could potentially go viral and increase revenue.

Q & A

What was the main purpose of analyzing over 5,500 YouTube shorts across different niches?

The main purpose was to decode the YouTube shorts algorithm and determine the best strategies for creating viral content.

Who is Paddy Galley and what is his relevance to the study mentioned in the script?

Paddy Galley is a YouTube expert who has generated billions of views and worked with major creators. His tweet about a massive study he and his partner conducted to understand the YouTube shorts algorithm is central to the script's discussion.

What did Elon Musk do in response to Paddy Galley's tweet about the YouTube shorts algorithm study?

Elon Musk did a celebratory live stream in 144p in honor of the study's findings.

How does the YouTube shorts algorithm work from the perspective of a new viewer?

For a new viewer, the algorithm starts by showing random general popular shorts to gather engagement data, then builds a profile of the viewer's preferences and explores niches to find the best shorts to keep the viewer on the platform.

What does 'best' mean in the context of the YouTube shorts algorithm?

'Best' refers to the shorts that are most likely to engage viewers and keep them on the platform for longer periods, which YouTube prioritizes to increase watch time and generate revenue.

How can a creator determine if their short is considered 'the best' by the algorithm?

A creator can determine this by looking at metrics such as average view duration, which indicates how long viewers are watching the short and engaging with it.

What is the significance of average view duration in the context of YouTube shorts?

Average view duration is significant because it signals to the algorithm that a short is engaging and worth promoting to more viewers, potentially leading to higher views, subscribers, and revenue.

What is the relationship between the length of a YouTube short and its performance in terms of views?

Longer shorts, typically between 50 to 60 seconds, tend to perform better in terms of views because they have the opportunity to accumulate more watch time and higher average view durations.

What is the meaning of 'vvsa' in the context of YouTube shorts?

VVSA stands for 'Viewed Versus Swiped Away' and measures the percentage of people who choose to watch a short versus those who swipe away because they are not interested.

How does the 'vvsa' metric impact the potential for a YouTube short to go viral?

A higher 'vvsa' indicates that more people are choosing to watch the short, which can signal to the algorithm that it is engaging and worth promoting, thus increasing its chances of going viral.

How does the monetization of YouTube shorts compare to long-form videos in terms of earnings per thousand views?

Before proper monetization, shorts earned about 0.27 cents per thousand views, which doubled to 0.061 cents after monetization. However, this is still significantly less than long-form videos, which can earn between one to two dollars or more per thousand views.

What advice does the script give regarding the decision to create YouTube shorts versus long-form videos?

The script advises creators to consider the time it takes to produce each type of content, the views they typically receive, and the monetization rates to determine which format offers the best return on their time investment.