- Jul 26, 2018
- 3,310
- 1,566
Both have their own value, shorts is good for traffic and subscriber, while long videos if goes viral they do all the job including monetization.
Short videos vs. long videos: Which is more effective?
originallife
Junior Member
- May 6, 2016
- 138
- 43
This is a broad and complex topic, but to summarize it briefly: beyond the standard elements everyone knows—such as the title, description, and thumbnail—you need to identify the optimal timing for your target audience.
You should know when they are most likely to watch videos. For instance, if your content is aimed at women over the age of 30, their free time might fall between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Try uploading your videos during these windows to determine the most effective time. Naturally, this will vary depending on your specific content and target demographic.
Don’t strive for perfection; unless you are using artificial intelligence to generate your content, some imperfections are bound to occur. These human touches will come across as authentic.
nsclock
Registered Member
- May 4, 2023
- 77
- 23
For ads, visuals are quicker to test and give me a faster read. But a video with a strong hook and good editing can do better, especially if the message needs more explanation. I can't really speak to organic YouTube from experience. For Shorts vs. long videos, I'd test both against the same goal and look beyond views alone.
joan henry
Banned Pending Review
- Sep 18, 2023
- 100
- 10
Try both if you can. Shorts can help people discover your channel, while long videos build deeper interest and watch time. Start with the format you can make well, then test the other and see what your audience enjoys.
Electrolytes
Registered Member
- Aug 12, 2025
- 63
- 66
What i do is i mix it. 2 short videos then 1 long short form.
conolly34
Junior Member
- Jun 15, 2026
- 107
- 34
yeah, it is contingent upon the niche and what you're trying to build. imo shorts are good for discovery, long-form is better for keeping people around and building repeat viewers.
cardcrafter
Newbie
- Oct 4, 2026
- 49
- 10
Creating both short and long videos is the best way to create a YouTube channel, but with the right strategy, short videos help you reach more people and gain new subscribers, while long videos help you gain people's trust. Long videos are great for watch time and earnings because people spend more time on your channel. My advice is to start with short videos to build an audience and test what works by putting out a long video every week. Try both methods and focus on what your viewers like the most.
After you publish a high-quality long video, check the Audience section in YouTube Studio > Analytics; once the video gets several minutes of average watch time YouTube begins mixing it into the recommendations for people who watched your Shorts.
So yes, those Shorts viewers will start seeing the longer upload in their home feed if it keeps them watching.
So yes, those Shorts viewers will start seeing the longer upload in their home feed if it keeps them watching.
Yasin12
Junior Member
- Oct 12, 2026
- 100
- 18
Creating a long video and then splitting it into short clips is a time-saving method that also covers both types of traffic. I'll consider it.
Yasin12
Junior Member
- Oct 12, 2026
- 100
- 18
With a brand new channel, what ratio of long videos to short videos would you recommend each week to avoid burnout while still maintaining your ranking in the recommendation algorithm?
Yasin12
Junior Member
- Oct 12, 2026
- 100
- 18
However, I've noticed that the audience distribution for short videos and long videos is quite different.
Yasin12
Junior Member
- Oct 12, 2026
- 100
- 18
But wouldn't it be easier to accurately target the right audience from the start if we began with a longer video?
scofieldd24
Registered Member
- Jul 13, 2026
- 53
- 14
I use Gemini; the Pro plan is currently free for students, and the quality is better than expected. I’d rate it as acceptable.
Every channel gets results according to their unique strategy and what they are here to gain. If you want views you should go for shorts. Some people post to get leads some do affiliate marketing so you can not compare yours to them you should have your own unique strategy.
Yasin12
Junior Member
- Oct 12, 2026
- 100
- 18
If I combine both, should I use YouTube Shorts as a kind of 'teaser' to encourage viewers to click to watch the full length video?
Aislinn Parks
Junior Member
- Sep 23, 2023
- 103
- 11
I'd try both and see what works. Shorts can help people find your channel, while long videos give you more room to explain things. Check which one your viewers enjoy more.
blacktulip
Registered Member
- Jul 19, 2023
- 59
- 13
Don't limit yourself to one format. Start with the type of content you can make consistently, then test the other and compare views, watch time, and audience response.
Austin Reeds
Newbie
- Nov 7, 2026
- 12
- 3
Both have their own place, however, short videos work best to grab people’s attention quickly, while long videos help you connect.
Personally, I would go for short videos if I am exploring new things, however, if I find it really interesting then 10-15 minutes is not too much time for me.
Personally, I would go for short videos if I am exploring new things, however, if I find it really interesting then 10-15 minutes is not too much time for me.