What is the Ideal YouTube Video Length?

[Bchizzle]

Hi guys!

Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on what they feel is the optimal length of a YouTube video. I'm sure there is bit of variation given the content (eg. a vlog or a gaming video may tend to be longer) However, I've noticed that many of the most enjoyable skits/ comedic videos for me tend to sit around 2:00 minutes to 3:00 minutes. I find for YouTube videos, there inherently is a faster pace and the timing between cuts is much quicker than normal short films, more on par with Advertisements/Commercials.

 

[Rouge]

I find a video over 5 mins long I would watch while eating or relaxing, so Id have to agree with you. 2-3 minutes would be ideal in most cases!

 

[Wreckless Eating]

Hi guys!

Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on what they feel is the optimal length of a YouTube video. I'm sure there is bit of variation given the content (eg. a vlog or a gaming video may tend to be longer) However, I've noticed that many of the most enjoyable skits/ comedic videos for me tend to sit around 2:00 minutes to 3:00 minutes. I find for YouTube videos, there inherently is a faster pace and the timing between cuts is much quicker than normal short films, more on par with Advertisements/Commercials.

It's different for every channel-look through your analytics and it will tell you where your viewers start dropping off-you'll be able to figure out an ideal length from that info.

 

[Bchizzle]

I find a video over 5 mins long I would watch while eating or relaxing, so Id have to agree with you. 2-3 minutes would be ideal in most cases!

Ah that makes sense, perhaps a longer video for when you are more settled in. So maybe a longer vlog or a even product review may be more likely.

It's different for every channel-look through your analytics and it will tell you where your viewers start dropping off-you'll be able to figure out an ideal length from that info.

That is a great idea actually. I'm glad you mentioned that

 

[scifiriot]

Wreckless Eating is right (not surprisingly). The real answer is this: the perfect length for a video is exactly as long as there's awesome content for it, not a second longer or shorter. Short videos can be too short and long videos can definitely be ok, it all depends on a ton of things.

Engaging video content and tight editing are keys to making any length video work.[DOUBLEPOST=1376372535,1376372316][/DOUBLEPOST][quote="Bchizzle, post: 771521, member: 16321]

That is a great idea actually. I'm glad you mentioned that [/quote]

It's not always useful unless there's a specific point that a lot of people are dropping off at. Average video viewing on YouTube is under 50% no matter how long the video is. If, however, you're doing a series of videos and there's a point where people keep clicking away (say a bit in the middle of all the vids) then you can see that bit isn't working well.

Since we do a lot of video series, what we look for are parts that can be improved for the next one. We pay more attention to parts of the video where retention stayed really high (meaning that was basicallly everyone's favorite part of the video) as much as we look at the low points. But we use that for content tuning, not video length decisions.

 

[JollyDangerous]

Whats the difference if a videos length is 2 min or 2 hours if it isn't entertaining? Time really has no matter content does.

 

[Thrashbat]

Whats the difference if a videos length is 2 min or 2 hours if it isn't entertaining? Time really has no matter content does.

Perhaps once they start. But if I see a two hour video, I don't necessarily know it is better content than a 2 minute one, and I lose less testing my time on the two minute one if it turns out bad.

 

[Kest]

I think it also depends on your subscribers and how much they like your content. It also depends on how many subscribers you have.

 

[Bchizzle]

I think it also depends on your subscribers and how much they like your content. It also depends on how many subscribers you have.

I see would you guys say that shorter videos may work for smaller channels given that they will have much more entertaining content crammed into a smaller duration, since the attention span of your unestablished audience would be much lower than someone who has made many videos that their subscribers love no matter what the length?

I suppose smaller channels should be working on more 'gateway' videos anyway to show your best work and to capture the attention of your prospective audience that you want to subscribe to you.

 

[scifiriot]

Food for thought: we're 6 weeks old, growing steadily (451 subs/12k views), have released 53 videos to date... and our most viewed video (by far) is 12:38 long. This is despite the fact that more than 3/4ths of our videos are in the 2-5 minute range and that our average video length is just over 4 minutes.

Admittedly, we're not your usual YouTube channel. Point is that in some things you never know what the rules are for your channel until your audience makes them.