Tech
YouTube Extends Shorts Length to 3 Minutes
Any video you upload on YouTube, that's three minutes or less will now automatically be considered Shorts.
YouTube has completed its rollout allowing all users to create Shorts up to three minutes in length. Here’s what this update means for your channel and content strategy.
The Shorts Update Explained
Any video you upload that’s three minutes or less will now automatically be categorized as a Short. This applies to all new uploads, regardless of whether you specifically intended to create a Short or not. The change streamlines how YouTube handles shorter content across the platform.
Creators have questions about how longer Shorts — up to 3-minute Shorts — are rolling out, and here’s the timeline:
— YouTube Liaison (@YouTubeLiaison) October 18, 2024
📆 Phase 1, this week: Giving creators a precise date (October 15, 2024) for when any square to vertical video, 3 min or under, uploaded to YouTube would stop… pic.twitter.com/NCPpykCnmp
What This Means for Your Content
When you upload videos under three minutes, they will:
- Appear in the Shorts shelf in subscription feeds
- Show up on your channel page’s Shorts section
- Be listed in YouTube Studio under Shorts
- Be eligible for recommendation in the Shorts feed
Platform Implementation
YouTube has outlined their implementation schedule:
- October 15, 2024: All square or vertical videos under 3 minutes become Shorts
- Late October 2024: Longer Shorts appear in the Shorts feed
- November 2024: Integration with subscription feeds and channel Shorts tabs
- Early 2025: Updated in-app creation tools supporting 3-minute Shorts
Content Strategy Considerations
This update gives you more flexibility with your short-form content. You can now include more detail in tutorials, expand on your storytelling, or add more context to your Shorts while maintaining the quick-consumption format that viewers enjoy.
The platform’s decision to extend Shorts length comes as short-form content continues to show strong engagement, with YouTube reporting 70 billion daily Shorts views. For creators, this means having additional options for reaching viewers through the Shorts format.
Consider experimenting with different video lengths within this new three-minute limit to find what resonates best with your audience. Whether you’re creating educational content, entertainment, or behind-the-scenes footage, you now have more room to work with while still benefiting from Shorts’ discovery features.
Remember that while you have more time to work with, maintaining viewer engagement remains key. Focus on creating content that makes effective use of the time you need, whether that’s the original 60 seconds or the full three minutes now available.