YouTube's New Algorithm is Killing Long Videos
45sDirectly addresses a widespread creator pain point with a bold claim, sparking curiosity and debate in the comments.
▶ Play Clip"Delivers on the promise of explaining the view drop with concrete evidence and actionable advice, though some repetition and personal anecdotes pad the runtime."
This video addresses the recent decline in views on YouTube long-form content, attributing it to significant algorithm and design changes that prioritize Shorts. The creator demonstrates how the homepage and search results now favor short videos, even for users who don't watch them, and provides a strategy for creators to adapt by incorporating Shorts and using the 'related video' feature to drive traffic back to long-form content.
Many channels making long videos are experiencing a sharp drop in views, which the creator attributes to changes in YouTube's algorithm and design.
On the computer homepage, there are now only two long videos visible initially, followed by six Shorts, then three long videos, then six Shorts, etc. In 2024, eight long videos were shown first.
Searching for terms like 'best camera' shows Shorts at the top of results, followed by three long videos, then more Shorts. This happens even for users who don't watch Shorts.
On mobile, the homepage shows six Shorts first, then a long video, a forum post, another long video, then six more Shorts. YouTube is clearly pushing Shorts aggressively.
The significant changes in YouTube's algorithm and design are among the main factors contributing to the decline in views for long videos.
On mobile search, about seven Shorts appear as the top results, which the creator calls a 'huge disaster' for long-form content.
The creator's daily views dropped from 30,000-40,000 to below 20,000, and even below 15,000 and 12,000, despite improving thumbnails and video quality.
Even though the creator rarely makes Shorts (only 28 total, last one on September 25th), their Shorts views are increasing, indicating Shorts have become evergreen content.
In analytics, 70% of views on Shorts come from YouTube search, confirming YouTube is pushing Shorts while hiding longer videos.
YouTube wants to compete with TikTok and adapt to user behavior, but the creator believes this is a misguided move that kills YouTube's biggest advantage: long videos.
Instead of lamenting, creators must adapt to the new reality by incorporating Shorts into their strategy, even if they don't like them.
The creator suggests an 80/20 ratio (80% long, 20% short) and recommends repurposing long videos into Shorts.
Link Shorts to long videos using the 'related video' feature, so viewers can click through to the longer content.
For three long videos a week, include one Short. Don't overdo Shorts or you'll ruin your channel.
Long videos still have an audience, but YouTube hides them. Creators should focus on thumbnails, titles, and quality to maintain a loyal audience.
YouTube's algorithm changes have significantly reduced the visibility of long-form content in favor of Shorts, but creators can adapt by strategically incorporating Shorts and using the related video feature to drive traffic back to their long videos.
What is the main reason for the decline in views on long YouTube videos according to the video?
YouTube's algorithm and design changes that prioritize Shorts over long-form content.
02:31
How many long videos were visible on the YouTube homepage in 2024 versus now?
In 2024, eight long videos were visible; now only two appear initially.
00:41
What percentage of views on Shorts come from YouTube search according to the creator's analytics?
70%.
04:54
What is the 'related video' feature on YouTube Shorts?
It allows creators to link a Short to a longer video, so viewers can click through to the long-form content.
07:19
What ratio of long to short videos does the creator recommend?
80/20 (80% long, 20% short) or a three-to-one ratio (three long videos per one Short).
06:54
Algorithm change is a main factor
Confirms that YouTube's algorithm changes are the primary cause of the view decline, not creator quality.
02:3170% of Shorts views from search
Provides concrete data proving YouTube is actively promoting Shorts through search.
04:54YouTube's misguided move
Offers a critical perspective on YouTube's strategy, suggesting it undermines its core value proposition.
05:2080/20 ratio strategy
Gives a practical, actionable strategy for creators to adapt without abandoning long-form content.
06:54Use related video feature
Highlights a specific YouTube feature that can help drive traffic from Shorts back to long videos.
07:19[00:01] well. I'm sure most of us have noticed a sharp drop in views lately. It's like sharp drop in views lately. It's like someone's turned off the view supply for most channels, and I'm talking about channels that make long videos, which is the core of
[00:16] YouTube. Before I answer the question about why most channels are seeing fewer views and tell you the solution, let's go to the YouTube homepage on a computer. As soon as
[00:28] we enter the homepage, we find three long videos, one of which is an advertisement, so there are two long videos. If you scroll down a bit, you'll find six short videos, then
[00:41] three more long videos, then six short videos, and so on. It wasn't like this before. Back short videos, and so on. It wasn't like this before. Back in 2024, when you first opened the YouTube homepage, you'd see eight long videos, and then the
[00:58] short videos would appear a little further down. So, the first thing we'll notice is that the chance of long videos appearing has we'll notice is that the chance of long videos appearing has decreased significantly with the new algorithm and the new YouTube design. That's how it is on the homepage. Now, if We went into the
[01:15] search bar and typed, for example, "What's the best camera for shooting video?" If you look closely, you'll find short videos at the top of the search results, followed by three longer videos, and then more short videos.
[01:30] For your information, as a YouTube user, I don't watch many short videos, yet YouTube forces them onto my homepage and into the top search results. That's how it is on a computer. Now, if we go to a mobile device, the first thing
[01:46] you see when you open the YouTube homepage is six six short videos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Then you find a longer video, followed by a company/ forum post, then another longer video, and then scrolling
[02:01] forum post, then another longer video, and then scrolling down, you find six more short videos. down, you find six more short videos. It's clear that YouTube is rolling out the red carpet for short videos. It's obvious that YouTube is pushing short videos,
[02:14] YouTube is pushing short videos, even if you, as a user, aren't interested in them. If you compare the visibility of your videos... Last year, you'll find that eight long videos used to appear on the homepage, compared to now only two
[02:31] homepage, compared to now only two appearing when the user first opens the homepage. The significant changes in YouTube's algorithm and the overall in YouTube's algorithm and the overall design of YouTube are
[02:44] among the main factors contributing to the decline in views for long videos. I'd also like you to tell me in the comments if the homepage and search results look the same for you. I forgot to mention that if we open a mobile device and search for anything, let's say "
[03:01] best camera," we'll also find short videos at the top. There are about eight short videos, then one, two, then ads, and so on. Seven
[03:14] one, two, then ads, and so on. Seven short videos appear as the top search results. Can you imagine the disaster? It's a huge disaster! I, for one, had videos at the top of the one, had videos at the top of the search results that have now disappeared. If you go to
[03:29] the statistics and access the advanced view... Here's how my views have always been over my views have always been over 30,000, 40,000, 30,000 per day. You'll notice that since 30,000, 40,000, 30,000 per day. You'll notice that since the beginning of 2025, the views have dropped and are now in
[03:43] the beginning of 2025, the views have dropped and are now in the twenties. Now they're less than 20,000 per the twenties. Now they're less than 20,000 per day and are even falling below 15,000 and 12,000 views per day, even though I improved the thumbnails, improved the video quality, and started
[03:58] producing videos that used to get good views in the past, but experience. So, that's for long videos. Now, if we choose
[04:13] short videos, even though I don't make short videos, you'll see that my short videos are very few. short videos, you'll see that my short videos are very few. Then the views started to increase, even though I don't make short videos. For those who follow me, the
[04:27] last short video I made was on September 25th. The entire channel has 28 short videos, and despite that, their views are increasing. This means that the videos
[04:39] their views are increasing. This means that the videos Short videos have become evergreen content, attracting views for a long time, unlike before when they'd only get views for the first few days and then disappear. If you go to your analytics,
[04:54] then select "Content" and choose " Short Videos," you'll find that 70% of the views on short videos come from YouTube search. What was once a
[05:07] suspicion that YouTube was the reason for the decline in views on longer videos is now decline in views on longer videos is now 100% certain. YouTube is pushing 100% certain. YouTube is pushing views on short videos while
[05:20] views on short videos while hiding longer ones from users. As you know, they want to compete with TikTok and keep up with the market and user behavior. We live in the age of speed, but
[05:37] YouTube has killed its biggest advantage: long videos. People who used to want to learn preferred watching long videos to understand everything. Now, it's difficult for them to find those long videos. The user behavior itself, which used to favor
[05:53] user behavior itself, which used to favor long videos, has changed. You might notice yourself; you've started picking up your phone and finding short videos that you watch for hours without even realizing it, even though you weren't like this before. But they've imposed this reality on you to
[06:10] compete with TikTok, to dominate the market, and to take everything. In my opinion, this is a completely misguided move by YouTube. So, what are we, as content creators, supposed to do? Lament what are we, as content creators, supposed to do? Lament our fate, or adapt to the current situation and the
[06:25] new reality? No, we have to adapt to the new reality, and we have to change too. Although I, for one, don't like short videos, don't like making them, and don't like watching them,
[06:38] this is the reality. So, in the coming period, we'll start thinking about making short videos. And even though I don't like making short and long videos on the same channel, and I explained the reason in the video you're about to see, we still have to change our strategy. Let's
[06:54] try this approach, even if we work with an 80/20 ratio ( meaning 80% long videos and 20% short videos). Look at your long videos that haven't received enough
[07:07] views, or that were previously at the top of search results. Take parts of them and make them into short videos. Then, go to the short video, as you can see, and look at its details.
[07:19] Next, create a related video. Click on it, and you'll start linking the short video to the long one. This way, if a viewer watches the short video and wants to learn more, they can click
[07:32] on the long video. This is a YouTube feature for short videos called "related video." While watching, the viewer sees the title of the longer video (the one linked here). If they're watching on a mobile device, it
[07:48] appears in the middle. The bottom part shows the title of the longer video, so if the viewer clicks on it, they go directly to the longer video. So, use the related video feature if you're creating content.
[08:01] Three long videos a week, and include one short video with them, so it's a three-to-one ratio. Don't make too many short videos on your channel, or you'll lose your channel and make matters worse,
[08:14] as they say, and ruin everything. You also need to work on the thumbnail image, the title, and the video quality. If your videos are valuable and people like them, your videos are valuable and people like them, they'll search for them, remember your channel name, and watch
[08:29] your videos. So there's still hope that long videos are also viewed and have an audience, but YouTube hides them from people. I hope this video is helpful to you. Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. Your opinion in the comments is very important for this video. Yeah.
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