YouTube Shorts have been soaring in popularity, taking the online world by storm. Just like TikToks and Reels, YouTube Shorts aims to lure viewers into a continuous loop of videos. Its goal is to encourage them to stay on the app for as long as possible.
Both short-form and long-form content have their own advantages, purposes, and audiences. While short-form videos may have influenced viewers’ tastes and consumption habits, they have not “killed” long-form videos. Here are a few reasons why:
-
NATURE OF YOUTUBE
YouTube has traditionally been a long video platform. Even though it has introduced shorts as a feature, it has done so to meet the growing need for shorter, more easy-to-consume video content. It doesn’t intend to replace long-form content with shorts.
YouTube is a loyal cheerleader for long videos. From documentaries to tutorials, vlogs, and more, it actively promotes the kind of content that require longer lengths to cover a topic well. Long videos are here to stay and not going anywhere anytime soon.
YouTube Shorts and Long videos both have separate algorithms. This means that they have separate watch hours and separate histories. Despite this, according to a New update, YouTube now recommends longer videos from channels that the viewer watches in Shorts. This means that posting Shorts can promote rather than kill your longer videos.
-
BOTH FORMS HAVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES
Though long videos and shorts are cut from the same cloth, they both serve different purposes. While YouTube shorts are quicker and easier to make and gain views, it’s more preferred for fast entertainment than learning.
Long-form content, on the other hand, provides viewers with more information, more entertainment, and more binge-worthy content. They give creators the freedom to dive into complex topics while also enlightening the audience.
-
WHICH PERFORMS BETTER IN THE LONG RUN?
There is no right answer here. They both come with their own sets of pros and cons. While on the one hand, it is no surprise that Shorts perform better in terms of views. They grab viewers’ attention quickly and capture their interest. They easily show up in viewers’ feeds and have the potential to grow quickly as the viewers keep scrolling.
However, when it comes to building better engagement and a connection with your audience, long videos take the win. Long videos forge a stronger connection with the audience through their awesome storytelling. Because of the longer running time, they keep viewers hooked and make them feel like they are a part of the action.
-
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Create a content strategy so you can effectively use both short-form and long-form videos to grow your channel. Leverage shorts for the discovery of your long-form videos by creating attention-grabbing snippets that showcase your channel’s unique value and encourage viewers to explore your longer videos.
You can tease viewers with Shorts. Give viewers a taste of what’s to come, piquing their curiosity and leading them to watch the full-length videos
You can also cross-promote and repurpose your longer videos into shorter ones. Highlight the most engaging moments and drive viewers to the complete videos.
Want to grow your channel? Start here: www.flintzy.com