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YouTube announces major change to how video views will be counted
17th August, 2026 10:55 PM
YouTube has announced a major change to how views will be counted across the platform, with views set to count as soon as a video starts playing.
The new system will apply to all formats, including regular videos, Shorts and live content.
YouTube said the change will take effect on August 24, 2026. Under the new system, there will be no minimum watch time required for a view to be counted, meaning a view will be recorded once playback begins.
The platform explained that the change is aimed at making its view figures more closely reflect the exposure creators receive from their content. YouTube said the move will also make it easier for creators to show their value to brand partners.
“Starting 8/24, views will count the moment a video begins to play (w/ no minimum watch time) across all formats (VOD, Shorts, & Live),” YouTube said on Monday, August 17, 2026.
New system to cover all formats
YouTube explained that the change is meant to bring the way views are measured across different types of content into one system. The update will cover video on demand, Shorts and live videos, giving creators the same basic view-counting approach across the platform.
The company said the new approach is focused on showing creators’ true exposure on YouTube. It explained that the change could make view numbers more useful when creators work with brands and show the reach of their content.
“We’re standardising views to reflect creators’ true exposure across YouTube, making it easier to show their value to brand partners,” YouTube said.
The platform also clarified that the new way of counting views will not change how creators earn money from YouTube. It said the update will also have no effect on eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program, known as YPP.
“This update won’t impact creator earnings or YPP eligibility,” YouTube said.
The announcement comes after YouTube revealed other changes affecting creators and monetisation on the platform. The new monetisation rules are expected to take effect on February 1, 2027, with higher requirements for new creators seeking advertising and YouTube Premium revenue.
The changes were announced on August 10, 2026, and YouTube said they were designed to keep its Partner Program suited to the platform’s growth. New creators seeking advertising and Premium revenue sharing will need 8,000 qualified watch hours in the previous 365 days, up from 4,000 hours.
Creators can also qualify through 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days, an increase from the current 10 million-view requirement.
