Why YouTube Is Not Happy About The Growing Popularity Of Shorts Videos

YouTube has been talking about long-form videos for decades, but even from the beginning you realize that the trends have shifted towards short videos and the company has turned in that direction with the help of Shorts.

But it seems that YouTube and its employees are now worried about the possibility of long-form videos and whether that side of the business could take a hit at the expense of short videos.

YouTube has invested heavily in ad revenue with all the content that millions post to the platform, giving them the numbers and allowing brands to invest in reaching these consumers. The same model is now attracting advertisers, which has reportedly ensured that its traditional business returns have declined. It can also be understood that a long video has more space for ad placement compared to a short video that is around 60 seconds on YouTube.

According to the Financial Times, YouTube staff gathered for a strategy meeting and discussed the risks of long videos, as well as how changing trends mean more creators are making short videos.

It’s interesting to see a giant like YouTube worrying about formats, especially since it’s a latecomer to the emerging trends of short videos, but there’s competition in the market that’s more likely to be added in the near future.

Yes, short videos have gained space, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that long videos can’t co-exist and actually work in their own space.

For YouTube, getting both formats is a win-win scenario that shouldn’t be a major concern for at least a few more years. After all, you have the same YouTube app that now offers long-form style videos and you also get a segment that offers you Shorts videos, not only on mobile but also on desktop and TV.

The shorts were important to YouTube, otherwise it would have lost the market to platforms like TikTok and Reels, which have tapped into the next generation of smartphone users.