YouTube is changing how views are counted across ALL formats (Shorts, long‑form, live streams) starting 24 August 2026.
From then on, a view will count the moment someone hits play — no minimum watch time required.
👉 What this means for us as creators:
- ➜ Reach numbers will look bigger, faster.
- ➜ Engaged views (the old metric) will still be available in Analytics for deeper insights.
- ➜ Strategy shifts: it’s not just about clicks anymore, but about keeping people watching.
💬 Do you think this change will help creators grow faster, or will it make engagement harder to measure?