In an effort to capitalize on the growing popularity of short-form videos, Google is extending the maximum length of YouTube Shorts from 60 seconds to three minutes. This change starts on October 15, 2024.
Apparently, creators have long requested this feature. The latest update will classify any new video, up to three minutes long, as a Short, regardless if it has a square or taller aspect ratio. Additionally, the player’s design has been streamlined to prioritize creator content.
The update will also affect monetization for creators. Short videos up to three minutes long uploaded after October 15 will be monetized under the Shorts revenue-sharing model.
Moreover, YouTube creators will soon have access to Veo, Google’s AI video-generation model. The AI tool allows clip generation from text prompts. Now, it will be expanded to assist in creating new backgrounds and videos.
Lastly, YouTube has added a “Show Fewer Shorts” option, which will temporarily limit Shorts from showing up on your feeds. The new settings can be accessed on the three-dot menu in the upper right of any Shorts grid.
We feel this is a significant step forward for YouTube Shorts because it allows creators more flexibility and potential for success in this space. However, it remains to be seen how this will affect short-form video in general.
