THIS Is the PERFECT Length for YouTube Videos

When it comes to the ideal length for YouTube videos in 2023, the answer isn't cut-and-dried. The best video length can range from merely seconds to several hours, depending on various factors including content type, viewer engagement, and YouTube's algorithmic preferences.

In today's YouTube landscape, YouTube Shorts have gained significant traction. Shorter durations like seven-second shorts, 35-second shorts, and 60-second shorts are performing exceptionally well. These bite-sized videos are ideal for capturing quick views and engaging a broader audience.

On the other hand, three-minute clips and five-minute and 30-second videos are doing great. These mid-length videos offer more substantial content yet retain viewer attention effectively. Crossing over the eight-minute mark opens the door to multiple ad spots, which can be lucrative and equally popular.

There is also a sweet spot for videos that are 12 to 18 minutes long. These slightly longer videos tend to perform well because YouTube values higher average view durations. But we must not overlook the opportunities in even longer content. 30-minute deep dives, tutorials, and educational videos are seeing success. Creators like Lewis Howes and Evan Carmichael have notable examples of two to four-hour videos that are among their best-performing content.

The frustrating yet truthful conclusion? The ideal video length can be anything from a few seconds to several hours. The rule of thumb is to make your video as long as it needs to be but as short as possible. An hour of rich, quality content will perform well, while an hour of uninspired material won't resonate with your audience.

I can testify to this phenomenon. Some of my multi-million viewed videos are 45 minutes or an hour and 20 minutes long, often from live sessions. These videos attract astounding average view durations of 12 to 16 minutes. This level of engagement greatly influences YouTube to keep pushing these videos to more viewers, even if the subject matter is niche.

There’s also an enormous opportunity with YouTube Shorts and everything in between. In 2023, succeeding on YouTube means mastering a balance of all these formats. Embrace both short and long-form content, and even the ultra-long form. It’s about communicating your core message across different timeframes to suit diverse viewer preferences.

In summary, the 'perfect' length for YouTube videos in 2023 is relative. Embrace a variety of lengths to maximize reach and engagement.

Keywords

YouTube Shorts
Viewer engagement
Average view duration
YouTube algorithm
Multi-ad spots
Long-form content
Tutorials
Deep dives
Multi-million views

FAQ

1. What is the best length for a YouTube video in 2023? The best length can range from a few seconds to several hours, depending on the type of content and viewer engagement.

2. Are YouTube Shorts effective? Yes, YouTube Shorts, particularly those between seven seconds and 60 seconds, are exceptionally popular in 2023.

3. Do longer videos perform well on YouTube? Yes, videos that range from 12 to 18 minutes and even longer tutorials or deep dives of 30 minutes to several hours can perform exceptionally well.

4. How does video length affect ad placements? Videos longer than eight minutes can have multiple ad spots, which can increase revenue opportunities.

5. Is it important to mix different content lengths? Absolutely. Embracing a variety of content lengths—from shorts to long-form videos—can help maximize reach and engagement across different viewer preferences.