YouTube to count views from first second starting August 24

YouTube will change how it counts video views starting August 24, 2026, registering a view the moment a video begins to play, without requiring a minimum watch time Source: Infobae. The change applies to all formats, including long-form videos and live streams, extending the system already used for Shorts since 2025 Source: La Voz. This aligns YouTube with competitors like Instagram and TikTok, which count views from the first frame, while X counts after two seconds Source: Listín Diario.

Impact on creators

Public view counters are expected to rise faster, but creator earnings will not change. YouTube states that revenue will continue to be based on "Engaged Shorts views" and "Engaged Watch Hours" (visualizaciones de Shorts con interacción y horas de reproducción con interacción) Source: El Nacional. The previous counting method will remain available in YouTube Analytics as "engaged views" to help creators measure audience interest Source: Milenio.

New YPP requirements

Separately, YouTube announced that starting February 1, 2027, new applicants to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) will need 8,000 valid watch hours in the last 365 days, double the current requirement, or 20 million valid Shorts views in 90 days, while keeping the 1,000-subscriber minimum Source: La Voz. Existing partners must accept the new terms by January 31, 2027, to continue receiving payments Source: La Voz.

Rationale

YouTube says the change responds to creators' desire to eliminate confusion across different counting systems and better understand their true exposure Source: Infobae. The company emphasized that the update does not affect monetization or YPP eligibility Source: Portafolio.