Views: This is the total number of times your video has been viewed. This metric is crucial for measuring the initial reach of a video. A higher number of views indicates that the content is attracting attention and being recommended by the YouTube algorithm.
Watch time: This is the total number of seconds or minutes users spent watching your video, and is used to understand whether viewers are watching all or only part of your content. A high watch time usually indicates that the video is interesting and holds the audience's attention. YouTube values watch time to improve recommendations, especially when publishing 3-minute Shorts.
Audience retention rate: This is the percentage of the total video length that users watch on average; this metric is key to assessing how well your video keeps viewers engaged. YouTube favors videos that keep users engaged for longer, leading to improved recommendation performance. This is particularly important for longer shorts, where retention is often more challenging.
Engagements : These include likes, comments, shares, and video link clicks and are an important signal of how users are engaging with your content. A video with a lot of engagement is usually more visible in the Shorts feed, as YouTube believes it generates an emotional or interest response from the audience .
Click-through rate or CTR : This is the click-through rate on your video, calculated as the percentage of people who viewed the thumbnail and then clicked to watch it. A high CTR indicates that your thumbnail and title are engaging for users. This is essential for increasing the reach of your content, especially now that creators can customize their thumbnails using photos or AI-generated elements. It’s one of the first metrics that influences a video’s performance.
Subscriber growth rate – This is the number of new subscribers you gain as a result of a video. If a video is generating subscribers, it’s an indicator that viewers find value in your content and want to keep watching it. In 2025, with AI updates and improved recommendations, creators have more opportunities to convert views into loyal followers.
Impressions : This is the number of times your video has been shown to users and is an indicator of how visible your video is on the platform. If you have a lot of impressions but few views, it could mean that your thumbnail isn't working properly, which means that users won't want to click on your video.
Homepage appearance frequency – This metric measures how many times your video has been shown on users’ homepages. It’s an indication of how attractive your video is to YouTube’s algorithm. If your video frequently appears on the homepage, it means the algorithm considers it relevant to a broader audience.
Average watch time per viewer – This metric is crucial to measure the quality of content in terms of retention. YouTube values videos that keep users engaged for a longer period of time. With the new option for longer Shorts (up to 3 minutes) a longer watch time is a clear indicator that users are willing to consume the full content.
Audience performance across devices – Since YouTube Shorts is predominantly consumed on mobile devices, it’s key to monitor how your content performs on those devices. As well as improvements to the interface for devices like Smart TVs, you could increase the reach of your content to a new audience.
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Want to get tons of views on your hungary email data YouTube Shorts? Discover the secrets to creating irresistible videos that capture audiences and go viral.
Identify a trending topic: To help you identify a trending topic, we recommend checking social media. Platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok, and of course, YouTube (like the Popular Sounds section in Shorts) are ideal for identifying things that are trending. You can search for popular hashtags, viral challenges, or even current topics that are being massively discussed.
Capture your audience’s attention in 3 seconds : Start your Shorts with intriguing questions (“Did you know this?”), impactful statements (“Everything you believed is wrong…”), or eye-catching visual actions. Address the audience directly (“This is for you if…”) and promise a clear reward at the end (“I’ll show you a trick that will change your videos”). Use exciting words like “secret” or “surprising” to spark curiosity. Rely on sounds, quick transitions, and energy in your tone to keep things interesting. An effective hook ensures viewers don’t scroll to another video.