3 minute YouTube Shorts

3-Minute YouTube Shorts: Why You Might Not Want to Create Them

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[edit] added information about how longer Shorts will be displayed on YouTube + the tools rollout timeline

Key Takeaways

  • Revenue Impact: YouTube Shorts’ RPM ranges from $0.01 to $0.10, significantly lower than long-form videos’ $2-$20 RPM, affecting creator earnings after October 15, 2024.
  • Timeline Changes: All vertical videos up to 3 minutes will automatically become Shorts starting October 15, 2024, with full system integration expected by early 2025 for creation tools.
  • Format Flexibility: Videos wider than the 1:1 aspect ratio remain as long-form content, offering a way to maintain higher RPM rates.
  • Music Restrictions: Shorts longer than 60 seconds face strict music licensing rules, requiring creators to use YouTube’s library or royalty-free music to avoid Content ID claims.
  • Channel Organization: By the end of November 2024, longer Shorts will move to the Shorts shelf on channel pages and the subscription tab, changing how content is organized and discovered.

What You Need to Know About YouTube 3 Minute Shorts

YouTube is making a big change to Shorts, stretching them from 60 seconds to 3 minutes. But the rollout isn’t happening all at once, and you need to know what’s coming.

Starting October 15, 2024, any vertical video up to 3 minutes will automatically be a Short. This affects all new videos that are taller than they are wide (square or vertical format). Your old videos won’t change – they’ll stay just as they are.

The changes are coming in stages. Here’s what’s happening when:

  • Channel Pages: By late November 2024, longer Shorts will move to your channel’s Shorts shelf
  • Subscription Tab: Your longer Shorts will show up in the Shorts tab for your subscribers
  • Creation Tools: New tools for making longer Shorts won’t arrive until early 2025
  • Notifications: Right now, subscribers with the Bell on will still get alerts for longer Shorts

One big catch: these longer Shorts will still earn money like regular Shorts, with much lower RPM ($0.01-$0.10) compared to regular videos ($2-$20). Think carefully about whether to make your 1-3 minute videos vertical.

For now, you can post longer vertical videos, and they’ll start showing up in both regular feeds and the Shorts feed. YouTube is testing how viewers respond, and they’re taking creator feedback seriously for future updates.

If you’re planning videos between 1-3 minutes, consider making them horizontal or really close to a square (for example, 1001×1000 pixels) to keep earning regular video rates. This way, you won’t accidentally cut your earnings by having them classified as Shorts.

Important Dates for YouTube Shorts Transition in 2024

YouTube is rolling out big changes to Shorts in phases throughout 2024. Here’s what you need to know about when these changes will happen.

October 15, 2024: This is when all vertical videos from 61 to 180 seconds that are square or taller will be labeled as Shorts. Your old videos won’t change – this only affects new uploads.

End of November 2024: Your channel page and subscription tab will show longer Shorts differently. Here’s what changes:

  • Channel Pages: Longer Shorts move to the Shorts shelf
  • Subscription Tab: Longer Shorts appear in the Shorts section
  • Notifications: If your subscribers have the bell icon set to “All,” they’ll still get alerts for your longer Shorts

Early 2025: YouTube will start adding new creation tools just for longer Shorts. The exact date isn’t set yet, but YouTube promises to keep creators updated.

You might notice your longer Shorts showing up in both regular video feeds and Shorts feeds during this transition period. This is normal – YouTube is gradually updating their systems to handle these changes.

Want to check if your longer Shorts are reaching viewers? Keep an eye on your YouTube analytics. You can see if your videos are being recommended in the Shorts feed, which will help you understand how the changes affect your content’s performance.

Remember, these dates could shift slightly as YouTube works out any technical issues. But marking these dates in your content calendar will help you plan your video strategy for the year ahead.

Why Creators Are Worried About Short Form Video Revenue

Creators have good reason to worry about their earnings with YouTube’s new 3-minute Shorts format. The main concern? Money – and there’s a big difference in how much you can earn.

Let’s look at the numbers that are making creators nervous. Regular YouTube videos can earn between $2 to $20 RPM (revenue per thousand views), depending on your topic. But Shorts? They only bring in $0.01 to $0.10 RPM. That’s a huge drop!

Think about this: if you make a 2-minute vertical video that would normally earn you $10 per thousand views as a regular video, it might now only earn you 10 cents when it’s labeled as a Short. This change could mean earning 100 times less money for the same content.

Here’s what has creators especially worried:

  • Automatic Classification: After October 15th, 2024, any vertical video up to 3 minutes becomes a Short – whether you want it to or not
  • Lost Revenue: Videos between 61 and 180 seconds that used to earn regular video rates will now earn much less as Shorts
  • Format Limitations: Switching to horizontal format (wider than tall) is the only way to avoid the Shorts classification
  • No Choice: Even high-quality, story-driven content up to 3 minutes will be forced into the lower-paying Shorts format

The situation gets more complex when you look at the rollout timeline. YouTube announced that channel pages and subscription tabs will treat longer Shorts as Shorts by the end of November 2024, but creation tools won’t be ready until early 2025. This uncertain transition period is adding to creator uncertainty about their income.

How YouTube Shorts RPM Compares to Long Form Videos

The money story for YouTube Shorts isn’t as bright as many creators hope. Let’s look at the real numbers that matter to your wallet.

Shorts currently earn between $0.01 to $0.10 RPM (Revenue Per Mille), which means you might make just pennies for every thousand views. Compare this to regular long-form videos, where creators often enjoy $2 to $20 RPM depending on their niche.

Think about what this means for your 3-minute vertical videos. A video that might have earned you decent money as a regular upload could now bring in far less if it’s classified as a Short. For example, if your long-form content typically earns $5 RPM, a video getting 100,000 views would make you $500. The same video as a Short might only earn $10 at a $0.10 RPM.

The gap gets even wider for creators in high-paying niches like finance or technology. These creators often see long-form RPMs above $15, making the switch to Shorts RPM particularly painful for their vertical content.

Here’s what affects your earnings potential:

  • Video Format: Horizontal videos (even slightly wider than tall) still qualify for regular video RPM rates
  • Video Length: Videos up to 3 minutes in square or vertical format automatically become Shorts after October 15th, 2024
  • View Source: Views from the Shorts feed earn Shorts RPM, regardless of length
  • Ad Placement: Long-form videos can have multiple mid-roll ads, while Shorts don’t

Your best move might be creating both formats: Shorts for reach and discovery, and horizontal videos for revenue. This way, you’re not putting all your earnings potential into the lower-paying Shorts format.

The Best Video Format Strategy to Maximize Revenue

Want to make the most money from your YouTube videos in 2024? Let’s explore the smartest way to format your content.

  • Mix Your Formats: Create both horizontal (traditional) videos and Shorts to spread your revenue risks. Even slightly wider formats (1001×1000 pixels) count as long-form and earn higher RPM – but they won’t show one the Shorts shelf.
  • Length Sweet Spots: For traditional videos, aim for 8+ minutes to maximize mid-roll ads. For Shorts, test both formats under 60 seconds and between 61 and 180 seconds to see what works best for your audience.

Pro tip: If you have educational or tutorial content between 1-3 minutes, consider filming in landscape mode. You’ll earn up to 200x more per view compared to the same content as a Short.

Think of your content strategy like a investment portfolio – don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Mix formats, test different lengths, and always keep an eye on those RPM numbers to maximize your channel’s earning potential.

Music Licensing Rules for 3 Minute YouTube Shorts

Longer Shorts bring new challenges for music usage. Let’s break down what you need to know about keeping your content safe and monetizable.

  • Basic Rules Remain: You can still use music from YouTube’s audio library for free, just like with regular 60-second Shorts
  • Length Restrictions: Music clips longer than 60 seconds might trigger Content ID claims, even in 3-minute Shorts
  • Commercial Music Risk: Using popular songs beyond the 60-second mark increases your chance of getting copyright strikes
  • Safe Options: Stick to royalty-free music or YouTube’s official library to protect your content
  • License Checks: Always verify music rights in YouTube Studio before publishing longer Shorts

Your best bet for 3-minute Shorts is using YouTube’s built-in music library. It’s free, safe, and won’t cause problems with monetization. If you need longer music tracks, consider purchasing royalty-free music licenses specifically for social media use.

Remember that different rules might apply to music in different regions. What’s allowed in one country might be blocked in another. Keep this in mind if you have a global audience.

Want to use commercial music? You’ll need to stick to the 60-second limit or risk your video being taken down. Even if you’re making a 3-minute Short, the safest approach is treating music like you would in a traditional Short.

For background music that runs longer than a minute, your safest options are:

  • YouTube Audio Library: Free and pre-cleared for use
  • Royalty-free music services: Worth the investment for regular creators
  • Original music: If you make your own, you own all the rights
  • Licensed music: Only if you have proper documentation for social media use

How YouTube Discovery Works With Longer Shorts Content

YouTube’s discovery system is changing how it handles longer Shorts content, with important updates rolling out through early 2025. Let’s break down what this means for your content’s visibility.

  • Channel Pages: By the end of November 2024, longer Shorts (61-180 seconds) will move to the Shorts shelf on your channel page
  • Subscription Tab: Your Shorts will appear in the dedicated Shorts section, not mixed with long-form videos
  • Notification System: Until the full rollout, subscribers with “All” notifications on will still get alerts for longer Shorts
  • Discovery Timeline: Longer Shorts are already eligible for recommendations in the Shorts feed, but full integration with creation tools won’t happen until early 2025

The good news? Your longer Shorts can still reach viewers through multiple discovery paths. The Shorts feed will showcase your content alongside traditional 60-second Shorts, and your videos can appear in both Shorts-specific and regular search results.

Think of YouTube’s discovery system like a smart traffic controller. It looks at factors like watch time, engagement, and viewer behavior to decide where and when to show your content. The platform is gradually adapting its systems to handle these longer-format Shorts properly.

Your content strategy shouldn’t change dramatically right now. Keep creating engaging vertical videos, and YouTube’s systems will work to find the right audience. The key is to watch your analytics closely during this transition period to see how your longer Shorts perform in different placements.

Remember that discovery patterns might shift as YouTube fine-tunes its systems throughout the rollout. Stay flexible and ready to adjust your approach based on what your analytics tell you about viewer engagement and reach.

Smart Ways to Adapt Your Content Strategy for 3 Minute Shorts

With YouTube’s new 3-minute Shorts format coming, you’ll need a smart plan to keep your channel growing. Here’s how to adapt your content strategy for the best results.

  • Mix Your Formats: Create both horizontal and vertical videos. Videos wider than the 1:1 aspect ratio won’t be counted as Shorts, keeping your higher RPM rates.
  • Focus on Timing: Make strategic choices about video length. Videos just over 60 seconds might be better filmed horizontally to avoid the lower Shorts RPM of $0.01-$0.10.
  • Plan Your Music: Stick to YouTube’s music library for Shorts over 60 seconds to avoid Content ID claims. This keeps your videos monetized and safe.
  • Test and Track: Use YouTube Studio to monitor how your longer Shorts perform compared to regular videos. Watch your analytics closely during the transition period until October 15, 2024.
  • Keep Short Options: Don’t abandon traditional 60-second Shorts entirely. They still work well for quick, engaging content that can lead viewers to your longer content.

The key is to be flexible with your content strategy. Think about each video’s purpose before deciding its format. Does it need the full 3 minutes? Would it make more money as a regular video? Make choices that protect your revenue while serving your audience well.

Remember that during the rollout phase, you can experiment without much risk. Use this time to find what works best for your specific niche and audience. Keep tracking your analytics and be ready to adjust your strategy based on real data from your channel.

Most importantly, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. A mixed content strategy will likely be the safest bet as these changes roll out across YouTube’s platform.