What Is the Ideal YouTube Video Length for Monetization? [Surprise]

Jun 07, 2021 - Views: 11930

Rating: 5.0 - 51Votes

When making videos, a lot of YouTube creators forget about their intended audience and the viewer intent.

As a result, lengthier videos are produced, which drives viewers to skip and choose shorter ones.

So what is the ideal YouTube video length for monetization?

Although there isn't a clear-cut answer to that question, following our guidance will help you figure out what YouTube best video length is.

What is the minimum length of YouTube video for monetization?

What is the minimum length of YouTube video for monetization?

Why YouTube Videos Length Matters

We should pay attention to the ideal YouTube video length as viewers have different purposes on YouTube. 

Some seek quick answers to daily questions, such as how to clean sneakers. On the other hand, others want to get more complicated explanations for their confusion. 

In such cases, they’ll watch a 45-minute video on how to build a gaming PC.

Knowing your target viewers to plan better content and provide optimal YouTube video length to satisfy them will be useful.

You should be aware of video length YouTube

You should be aware of video length YouTube

How Long Can My YouTube Videos Be?

Whether you're a novice or an experienced YouTube creator, you've undoubtedly wondered: How long can my video be?

In fact, your YouTube account type will determine this.

YouTube accounts can be classified into two categories: verified and non-verified accounts and the restriction on the length of YouTube videos is the only distinction between these two.

You are using a non-verified account if you have never completed the account verification process. 

A verified YouTube account

A verified YouTube account

Videos up to 15 minutes can only be uploaded to non-verified YouTube accounts.

On the other hand, videos up to 128GB or 12 hours can be uploaded to verified accounts.

The "Verified" will appear beneath your channel name and "Enabled" will appear in the "Longer Videos" box once you have been verified.

Here’s how to verify your Google Account:

  • Open the YouTube app on your phone

  • Tap “Create” at the bottom of the screen and then choose “ Upload”.

  • Tap Record or select a video longer than 15 minutes.

  • Make the title and description for the uploaded video, then tap NEXT.

You can choose to get either a verification code through a text message or an automated voice call. 

Read more: Free video converter

What Is the Ideal YouTube Video Length?

There is no specific answer for what is the ideal length for a YouTube video, as this depends on your audience, the video purpose, and the video type. 

For example, a video that explains how to make a movie can be longer than a video that showcases products. 

When it comes to minimum YouTube video length for ads, bumper ads should be 6 seconds long, and 15-20 seconds long for pre-roll ads.

According to Social Media Examiner, videos with a length of 7-15 minutes are ideal for best performance.

What is the ideal length of a YouTube video?

What is the ideal length of a YouTube video?

It is not advisable to make the video longer than it should be, as viewers don’t want to see fluff in a video. 

Instead, they want to see how your video helps solve their problems.

If your videos are filled with fluff, chances are your viewers will leave, hurting your audience retention. 

In the worst case, they might not even see your video since YouTube doesn’t even suggest it.

Minimum YouTube Video Length For Monetization

There is no minimum video length for YouTube monetization. But if you want to get optimal revenue, your video should be at least 8 minutes.

You can place extra mid-roll ads in the video as many as you want, but not for the optimal viewer experience’s sake. 

YouTube minimum video length for monetization

YouTube minimum video length for monetization

Different Lengths for Different Types of YouTube Videos

Of course, the 6 to 8-minute guideline is only a suggestion and could not work for all kinds of YouTube videos. 

Your YouTube video's actual duration will vary depending on many things.

Check out the recommended lengths for various sorts of videos on YouTube right now!

Commentary YouTube Videos

A commentary YouTube video

A commentary YouTube video

A commentary video features a knowledgeable person discussing a certain issue, trend, or industry. 

These videos should have brief introductions and outros because the viewers are looking to learn a specific lesson.

For YouTube commentary videos, try to make your point in no more than 8 minutes. 

Tutorial YouTube Videos

Video tutorials offer detailed how-to guidance on a particular subject.

TechSmith states that the ideal length YouTube video for this kind should be no more than 20 minutes in duration.

A tutorial YouTube video

A tutorial YouTube video

Product or Service Review YouTube Videos

Make sure your YouTube reviews don't exceed 3 minutes in length. 

Rework your topic and make the product or service the only thing you cover in the video if you're having problems staying under this allotted optimum YouTube video length.

Listicle YouTube Videos

A listicle YouTube video

A listicle YouTube video

Depending on how many points you cover, a listicle YouTube video's duration will change. 

But note that engagement is crucial for these kinds of videos. 

Even though you may have a lot to cover, if you present your information concisely, you can still hold the attention of the audience. 

Remove any extra fluff, such as a prolonged introduction, and get directly to the list.

Related post: Download high quality YouTube video

How to Find the Ideal Length of YouTube Video?

Apply the following methods to find the optimum video length for YouTube monetization:

Tips to find YouTube ideal video length

Tips to find YouTube ideal video length

Method 1: Average the length of highest-performing videos

It might be easier than you think to make videos at the right length. These are 4 steps to identify the best YouTube video duration for monetization:

  • Step 1: Go to YouTube

  • Step 2: Search for your preferred topic/title

  • Step 3: Note down the video length of the top four or five videos on that topic

  • Step 4: Calculate the average length of those videos for that search term

This method isn’t the best, but is great to capitalize on what works. 

Employing this method, you at least know that thousands or millions of viewers have watched videos at a length they could stand.

Average the length of highest-performing videos

Average the length of highest-performing videos

Method 2: Analyze the average view duration on your channel

Another way to glean the best length for YouTube videos is by analyzing the average view duration of your content. Here’s how to do it: 

  • Step 1: Go to the YouTube Studio

  • Step 2: Click Analytics in the left navigation menu

  • Step 3: The graph then will show channel views, Watch Time, subscribers, and revenue clicks

  • Step 4: On the next page, select Subscription Source. If you don’t see it, click More. This will show you a graph of views

  • Step 5: Scroll down to see the average view duration of your channel 

For example, your channel’s average view duration is 3 minutes, 21 seconds, indicating that your audience is willing to stick around for 3 minutes. 

However, that doesn’t mean you’re going to make videos at that length. It only gives you a benchmark to follow and create the most valuable content.

Analyze the average view duration on your channel

Analyze the average view duration on your channel

Method 3: Analyze how your subscribers grow

If casual viewers turn into fans, then it’s a great indicator of success. So, you should analyze your subscriber growth to see if a longer or shorter video is a good choice.

For example, if 87% of your views come from non-subscribers, then you may know what you need to do is convert these viewers into loyal fans. 

It’s advisable to keep returning to this page, watch the percentage split, and make note of the change in trend.

If the number of views from subscribers is increasing, lengthen your videos and see the effect. If that reduces subscribers, make longer content to figure out the reason behind it.

Analyze how your subscribers grow

Analyze how your subscribers grow

Read more: How to convert video to GIF?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is 25 minutes too long for a YouTube video?
YouTube enables users to submit videos up to 15 minutes in length by default. Videos longer than 15 minutes will not upload successfully.
Do longer YouTube videos pay more?
Because they offer more ad space, longer videos often generate more revenue than shorter ones.
Why are shorter YouTube videos better?

Short videos are more engaging and perform better in search engine optimization because of their greater retention rate.

A shorter video increases the likelihood that viewers will watch it through to the end, which is equivalent to saying that fewer people would stop watching in the middle.

Conclusion

There's no perfect answer for the ideal YouTube video length. You have to find what works for you, depending on your purposes and how your content satisfies viewers. Try the methods we mentioned above to find the optimal length of YouTube video for monetization. Good luck!

Rating: 5.0 - 51Votes

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