YouTube will soon count a view as soon as video playback starts, bringing its system in line with that used by Instagram, TikTok and its Shorts videos. The update will take effect on 24 August, "meaning that creators are likely to see their total view counts increase more quickly going forward", the platform stated.
Instagram and TikTok count a view when a user starts or repeats video playback, while X counts a view when the user watches a video for at least two seconds. YouTube applied Instagram and TikTok's method of counting views to Shorts last year.
YouTube said it will retain its original method of counting views under a metric called "views with engagement".
