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YouTube is set to change the way it counts public views on videos and live streams from August 24, 2026.
Under the new system, a view will be registered as soon as a video starts playing, from the very first frame.
The change will apply globally to long-form videos, Shorts and livestreams.
The new system is expected to result in higher public view counts because viewers will no longer need to watch for a longer period for a view to be registered.
YouTube said the move is intended to make view-counting more consistent across its different video formats.
However, the change will not directly increase creators’ earnings or alter YouTube Partner Program eligibility.
YouTube will continue to use “engaged views” and other deeper engagement metrics for analytics and monetisation purposes.
The move brings YouTube’s long-form video and livestream view-counting system closer to platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, where a view can be counted when playback begins.