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3-Minute YouTube Shorts: Everything You Need to Know

What are 3-Minute YouTube Shorts?

Starting October 15, a new update allows users in North America to upload YouTube Shorts up to 3 minutes long. With this update, videos that are 3 minutes or less in length and are in vertical or square format will be classified as Shorts.

< Supported Aspect Ratios for 3-Minute YouTube Shorts >

This means that while the existing YouTube Shorts format was a 9:16 ratio (1080x1920 pixels), you can now upload videos in a 1:1 ratio (1080x1080) and they will still be classified in the Shorts feed.

This update is not yet available to all accounts and is being rolled out gradually.

Why the 3-Minute YouTube Shorts?

YouTube has introduced 3-minute Shorts for several reasons. Firstly, it can be seen as a strategy to enhance content quality. The original intention of the Shorts format was to keep content concise, impactful, and to increase viewer engagement time.

However, the platform has been flooded with low-quality, mass-produced content. By offering a 3-minute duration, YouTube aims to improve storytelling and content quality, which is a clever move.

If viewers are watching content that approaches 3 minutes in length all the way through, it's a sign of high-quality content, potentially earning a higher score in the algorithm.

< The Key Metric: Average View Rate in YouTube Shorts >

If readers stick around to watch content that's nearly 3 minutes long, it's safe to say you've got a high-quality gem on your hands, deserving a higher score from the algorithms. 🌟

< 3 ways YouTube is redefining the shopping experience, source: Thinkwithgoogle >

Moreover, YouTube Shopping is seen as the future gold mine for YouTube. The Shorts feed is predicted to drive the highest purchase conversion rates once activated. Without quality content, however, your revenue strategy might just hit a wall.

The Difference from the Traditional 1-Minute YouTube Shorts

Compared to the traditional 1-minute Shorts, the 3-minute Shorts don't differ much in terms of revenue models. Just like the older Shorts, earnings are generated based on views.

However, YouTube's copyright monitoring system, Content ID, will apply the same way it does for long-form videos. This means that while you could previously upload mashed-up videos ignoring copyright in the older Shorts, the moment your Shorts cross the 1 minute and 1 second mark, they could trigger Content ID monitoring.

If there's a copyright infringement, the channel remains unaffected, but the content is completely blocked worldwide. This mechanism seems to encourage creators to boost their original content, meaning more high-quality creations.

For 3-minute Shorts, genres like cooking recipes, short-form dramas, and educational content are expected to reap the most benefits.

< Successful Faceless History Knowledge Channel Case >

Many existing short-form creators have expressed their frustration over having to cut out important content to fit under a minute, resulting in superficial information that feels like merely scratching the surface.

Now, rather than focusing on meeting a 3-minute mark, these genre channels can tell richer and more natural stories, as they are no longer confined to just a minute.

Suggestions for Videostew Users

For Videostew users, the 3-minute YouTube Shorts is certainly a positive change.

No Need to Stick to 'One Minute'

The best part is that there's no need to be confined to one minute. Feedback from Videostew users revealed that to fit under a minute, they often had to speed up narration speed or, with a heavy heart, delete some slides. This process can strip away the edge of the story and reduce its fun.

Now, you can naturally convey your stories without the burden of cramming them into a minute.

To explain a bit further, I can introduce the concepts of 'lean back' and 'lean forward.'

Long-form videos are essentially 'lean back' content. The viewer is prepared to sit back and watch passively.

However, even though Shorts have extended to 3 minutes, short-form videos will still apply the 'lean forward' concept. Viewers are always ready to use their thumbs to skip your videos at any moment.

Even though 3-minute YouTube Shorts are all the rage, it's still crucial to create a hooking point and carefully structure the content to keep the audience engaged.

No Need to Worry About Music Copyright

Videostew has always aimed to be an AI video editing solution that allows you to freely edit both long-form and short-form videos.

The music library provided by Videostew is already registered with Content ID, and we whitelist your channel to ensure you can use it freely on your channel.

For the newly launched 3-minute Shorts, you can't use the music provided by YouTube Shorts. Without worrying about finding copyright-free music, finish your video editing with Videostew.

The Value of Multi-Platform Distribution Has Increased

Users who already use Videostew are uploading videos not only to YouTube but also to Reels and TikTok. However, due to YouTube's previous 1-minute limit policy, they had to target other platforms accordingly. (TikTok allows up to 60 minutes, and Reels up to 10 minutes.)

Now, with the ability to edit videos up to 3 minutes long, you can expect better exposure on other competing platforms.

< Short-form Platform Video Length Limits >

Conclusion

YouTube's 3-minute Shorts update signifies a qualitative change in the content ecosystem, not just an extension of time. This aligns perfectly with Videostew's vision of "creating high-quality content through AI and human collaboration."

Creators can now delve deeper into storytelling and convey rich information. Three minutes is ample time to truly gauge a viewer's interest, creating an environment where quality content can shine even brighter.

< Videostew's Versatile Video Editor >

Videostew is perfectly prepared for this shift. It amplifies your creativity and provides an efficient workflow, allowing you to invest more time in content planning. Plus, with a royalty-free music library and support for various platforms, your content can reach a wider audience.

In this new era, it's crucial not just to fill time but to captivate viewers with valuable content at every moment. With Videostew, you can easily transform your creative ideas into a captivating 3-minute story.