YouTube Shorts vs. traditional YouTube videos: revenue threshold comparison and options

With the explosive growth of short-form video, YouTube has launched the YouTube Shorts, in response to competition from platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels. Short videos not only give creators the opportunity to reach a wider audience, but also bring them a new channel for cash. However, compared with traditional YouTube long-form videos, YouTube Shorts are significantly different in terms of revenue models, thresholds and creation strategies.

This paper will analyze in detail Revenue Models, Creation Characteristics and Development Prospects of YouTube Shorts vs. Traditional Videothat help content creators make smarter choices.

I. What are YouTube Shorts and traditional videos?

1. Features of YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts is a short video format designed for mobile, with a length limit of 60 seconds or lessAdoption vertical format, designed to quickly capture the attention of users. The following are its main features:

• brief and efficient: Short videos are easier to consume quickly and grab users' attention.
• Huge traffic potential: Through Shorts Shelf (short video area), creators may get explosive exposure for their videos.
• low entry barrier: Even novice creators can get traffic quickly by creating quality Shorts.

However, short videos of high exposure It doesn't always translate directly into high revenue, and its cash-out model is very different from traditional video.

2. Characteristics of traditional YouTube videos

Traditional video is the core form of content on the YouTube platform, supporting the Unlimited length horizontal video, often used to delve into complex topics or tell complete stories. Key features include:

• Flexibility in the form of content: Can cover a wide range of formats from tutorials to documentaries.
• Higher freedom of production: There is no time limit for in-depth content creation.
• Proven revenue model: Revenue is realized through various channels such as advertisement share, membership, and reward.

Second, the revenue model of YouTube Shorts versus traditional video

1. Differences in sources of revenue

(1) YouTube Shorts' revenue model

YouTube Shorts' revenue is largely dependent on YouTube Shorts Fund and advertising share.

• Shorts Fund: To incentivize creators, YouTube creates an annual $100 million reward pool to distribute prizes based on video performance. However, the distribution mechanism of the Shorts Fund is not transparent and the competition for prizes is fierce.
• advertising share: Since 2023, Shorts has introduced an ad-sharing model, but since ads are typically inserted between videos (not played within videos), revenues are relatively low.

Shorts earnings characteristics: more dependent Video heat respond in singing viewings, but overall returns are more volatile.

(2) Revenue model of traditional YouTube videos

Traditional video revenue sources include:

• advertising share: Creators receive video advertising revenue through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Revenue is directly affected by the cost per unit (CPM) of the ad and the number of views.
• Member Subscriptions and Rewards: Interact directly with viewers and gain support through YouTube Membership and Super Chat features.
• Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships: Companies prefer to work with creators for branding through traditional video.
• affiliate marketing: Receive a commission for recommending a product or service.

Traditional video revenue features:Diversified channels for more stable returns, suitable for long term development.

2. Comparison of revenue thresholds

(1) Earnings threshold for YouTube Shorts

• Shorts Fund Returns: There are no strict subscription or viewing time requirements, and any creator has the opportunity to be rewarded with a pop-up Shorts.
• AdShare revenue: The creator needs to fulfill the following conditions:
  • Within the last 90 days At least 1000 subscribersThe
  • Cumulative 10 million Shorts viewsThe

(2) Revenue thresholds for traditional YouTube videos

To join the YouTube Partner Program and receive a share of ads, creators need to meet the following requirements:

• (say the) least 1000 SubscribersThe
• Accumulated 4,000 hours of active viewing time in the past 12 monthsThe

In contrast, traditional video has a higher revenue threshold and higher requirements for content quality and user stickiness.

III. Comparison of Creative Strategies

1. YouTube Shorts creation strategy

• Grabbing attention fast: Engage the viewer in the first 3 seconds of the video or you may be quickly scratched.
• Capitalizing on popular trends: Focus on popular challenges, hot topics, and cater to viewer interests with creativity.
• High Frequency Releases: Maintain a consistent output of content to increase exposure in Shorts Shelf.
• simple and intuitive: Engage the audience through visual impact and strong interactive design, such as the use of popular background music and subtitles.

2. Traditional video creation strategies

• In-depth content is prioritized: Provides detailed information and specialized insights on complex topics.
• SEO optimization: Use keywords wisely in titles, tags and descriptions to improve search rankings.
• regular update: Establish a stable release frequency based on user viewing habits.
• Diversified content forms: Tutorials, stories, interviews, and entertainment content can all provide value to your target audience.

IV. Selection of suitable population groups

1. Suitable for people who choose YouTube Shorts

• Novice creators: Use Shorts to quickly build up subscribers and views.
• Keen on short-term pop-ups: Creators looking to drive traffic through hot videos.
• mobile user oriented audience: e.g. younger audience segments.

2. Suitable for those who choose traditional video

• Mature creators: There is already a foundation in place to focus on advertising revenue and brand partnerships.
• Areas requiring depth of content: such as education, science and technology, health, and other areas that require lengthy explanations.
• brand builder: Looking to build a brand image and attract long-term fans through high-quality content.

V. How to combine the two to achieve the best results?

For creators who want to be well-rounded, try incorporating the YouTube Shorts and traditional video combined::

1. Attracting traffic: Produce lead generation content to attract new viewers through Shorts.
2. Retaining the audience: Utilize traditional video to provide in-depth content and build viewer stickiness.
3. Multi-Channel Realization: Shorts' advertising revenue complements traditional video's membership revenue and brand partnerships.

VI. Development trends

As YouTube continues to optimize Shorts' cash-out mechanism, short videos will attract more creators in the future. However, traditional video still occupies a core position in the field of advertisement share and brand cooperation, which is especially suitable for professional creators and branded content. Creators need to reasonably choose or combine the two models according to their own positioning and goals to realize a win-win situation for both content and revenue.

summarize

YouTube Shorts and traditional videos each have their own advantages in terms of revenue models and creative strategies; Shorts are better suited to attracting traffic quickly and building an audience base, while traditional videos are better suited to deepening content and realizing long-term revenue. The combination of the two can help creators find a balance in the fierce competition and move towards more successful content creation.