Video length remains the content creator's eternal question—with no shortage of contradictory answers. Your analytics suggest one thing, platform 'best practices' recommend another, and then there's what the algorithm supposedly wants. Does YouTube secretly favor 8-minute videos over 10-minute ones? Is TikTok now promoting longer content? The advice changes faster than you can finish editing.

For YouTube creators eyeing TikTok or Shorts, or short-form creators trying to stretch into long-form YouTube content, this length puzzle becomes even more complex. Suddenly you're navigating two completely different attention economies with conflicting rules.

So we decided to skip the theorizing and go straight to the source. We've gathered real advice from successful creators across platforms to give you practical length strategies that actually work—not just what some algorithm engineer thinks should work.

New data-driven insights on ideal YouTube video lengths

Recent analyses show that YouTube videos ranging between eight to nine minutes often appear more frequently in top SEO rankings. According to a YouTube SEO study, concise yet comprehensive content tends to hold viewer attention, helping channels climb search results. Longer videos may work well for in-depth tutorials or gaming walkthroughs, as they provide enough time to explore topics thoroughly. However, creators should focus on meaningful storytelling or instructional clarity rather than forcing filler content. Ultimately, the right duration hinges on balancing substance with engagement to retain viewers throughout the video.

What is the ideal YouTube video length? What about TikTok?

On YouTube, "Most people tend to prefer watching videos within the 8–15 minute range," YouTuber Aprilynne Alter told us, noting that videos in this range can feel like less of a commitment for someone clicking on something on a whim. According to research, the ideal YouTube video length typically falls between 7-15 minutes for optimal engagement. But ultimately, she said, it depends on your content type and audience preferences.

There is no magic number for YouTube video length, especially as viewing habits continue to evolve. YouTube's maximum video length is 12 hours for verified accounts, though most creators stay well under this limit.

“As more and more people are replacing TV with YouTube, and even watching YouTube on television, longer videos (30+ minutes) are increasingly seeing success,” Aprilynne said.

On TikTok, viewer preferences have evolved over time. In 2021, for instance, viewer preference shifted from 11–17-second videos to 24–31-second videos, according to Buffer. TikTok has since expanded its maximum video length to 10 minutes, and they're even testing a new 30-minute maximum as platform competition intensifies.

“I think creating content at a length that is authentic to you with a clear yet concise message is most important,” said fitness creator Olivia Catania.

Navigating ad placements for better monetization

Earning revenue on YouTube typically requires hitting the eight-minute mark for eligibility for mid-roll ads. Nonetheless, recent data emphasizes that engagement factors like watch time and audience loyalty often weigh more heavily than pure video length. Strategic ad placement should complement content flow, rather than interrupting viewer experience. By analyzing retention graphs in YouTube Analytics, creators can space out mid-roll ads to limit abrupt content breaks. Creators who keep viewers engaged for longer sessions often see improved ad performance and a steady increase in revenue.

Should you increase your YouTube video length?

Maybe!

For YouTubers, especially those making content under 15 minutes, it can be tempting to make existing formats longer. Many also try different formats that are naturally longer—like video podcasts. But should you extend your YouTube video length? The answer depends on your specific audience and content type.

"Examine your audience and their viewing behaviors," Aprilynne suggested when considering optimal YouTube video length. "Do they also watch long-form videos? And more importantly, do they also watch long-form videos in the same niche as you're currently creating?" Different content categories have different ideal lengths—tutorials might perform better at 10-20 minutes while entertainment videos might work at 5-10 minutes.

My advice: Make it longer if they'll watch it.

If you're putting out 10-minute videos where your average view duration is 2 minutes, there's not much reason to believe viewers will stick around for 20—or 60—minutes. But if your viewers are watching a decent percentage of your content, it's worth experimenting with longer videos to see if they'll stick around for the journey. Use YouTube Analytics to track audience retention and determine your optimal YouTube video length based on actual viewer behavior.

YouTube as a platform values viewer retention and longer watch times. Put simply, they want to serve people videos that will keep them engaged on YouTube. Videos between 7-15 minutes often hit the sweet spot for both viewer engagement and the algorithm, though this varies by niche.

But on TikTok, longer videos may feel like a burden to viewers used to rapid-fire consumption. At the same time, the app is shifting its monetization policy and only compensating creators for videos that are 1 minute or longer. This is similar to YouTube's monetization approach, where videos over 8 minutes can include mid-roll ads, creating additional revenue opportunities. The TikTok platform seems deeply invested in pushing longer videos, but it's impossible to say whether that trend will continue.

How to decide if you should make the jump between video formats

This is often a question of resources and priorities. Long-form video, like on YouTube, can offer better monetization through ads than shorter content can. That's just pure math: a 10-minute video has more opportunities for ad placement. The ideal YouTube video length for monetization is typically 8+ minutes, as this allows for mid-roll ad placement. But TikTok also can offer a much larger viewership for (potentially) less effort, and the kind of influencer deals that are lucrative for many creators.

Existing on multiple platforms does help diversify your risk if you only have one main audience on one platform. If there's a massive change to one algorithm, it might not affect your following on the other. Or if one platform manages to implode, you have another complementary audience.

🪺 More on diversifying your audience: TikTok ban? Here's how creators should prepare

What are the mistakes people make when making the jump?

Aprilynne had one warning for long-form YouTubers venturing into Shorts.

“I know a number of examples of YouTubers who built an original audience through long-form content,” she said, who “then forayed into short-form content based on trends that went viral and tremendously grew their subscriber count. But because the short-form content wasn't exactly aligned with their long-form content, the new Shorts viewers didn't care about their long-form videos, and the performance of their long-form videos suffered.”

Another mistake, according to Olivia, is not understanding the difference in context between platforms. A long-form, vlog-style YouTube video about healthy habits probably won't do well on TikTok—instead, it might become a short-form video where the creator is using the notes app as background with bullet points.

How to strategize between short-form and long-form videos

Short-form and long-form are very different formats in 2024. The kind of visual grammar acceptable on vertical short-form (messy green-screens, screenshot backgrounds, etc.) don't often translate to longer-form content.

Many creators have seen success uploading short vertical clips on TikTok or Shorts of their much longer podcasts or videos, especially when those clips are self-contained: compelling anecdotes, news stories, or quick talking points are perfect fodder for short-form platforms.

Good clips will often have their own hook to draw their viewer in, and a satisfying conclusion that isn't contingent on watching the rest of the podcast or video. Teasers where people are asked to finish a story on a separate platform are less likely to succeed.

But this won't necessarily work for every type of content. Look at what others in your niche are doing. Sometimes, going shorter means mixing up your format.

If you're looking to double dip on a single topic, Olivia recommends breaking up the video with music-laden montages, voiceover, and scene changes for long-form. “With short form,” she said, “I make more effort to keep the video very punchy, more fast paced, editing out any filler words or breaths, and consolidate my message.”

Final thoughts on YouTube video length

Ultimately, "how long should a YouTube video be?" is the wrong question. People often try to "algorithm hack" instead of focusing on what makes compelling content. While the ideal YouTube video length might be helpful in conceptualizing your content (generally 7-15 minutes for most niches), there is no magic number that will replace good editorial judgment. The best length is one that serves your specific content and audience needs.

Algorithms on these platforms are always changing, and creators who do manage to find shortcuts to widespread viewership are usually the ones who collapse in the wake of these changes.

FAQs

How does YouTube's watch time requirement affect monetization?

YouTube generally requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year to be eligible for monetization. According to industry insights, watch time signals the platform that your content consistently holds audience attention. Shorter videos can still contribute to watch hour accumulation if they generate enough views and replay value. However, creators producing longer and more in-depth videos may see a faster climb in watch hours, provided their content remains engaging from start to finish.

What is the recommended length for YouTube educational videos?

Educational videos often benefit from a longer running time, allowing for a thorough exploration of complex topics. Research cited in a YouTube SEO study suggests that in-depth, structured content can improve viewer retention and elevate ranking potential. Breaking lengthy lessons into segments within a single video can help maintain focus without compromising detail. If creators offer clear chapters or timestamps, these extended videos can cater to different learning styles and keep audiences engaged.