How Long Should a YouTube Video Be? Insights from Top Creators

It takes more than just pressing “record” and uploading to create a video on YouTube. It all comes down to creating content that engages your audience. 

However, what is the ideal duration for your YouTube video? 

Although there isn’t a single solution that works for everyone, we can gain some useful insights by examining the actions of successful YouTubers.

The YouTube Algorithm and Retention of Audiences

Let’s start by discussing the YouTube algorithm. Watch time and engagement are its lifeblood. To put it simply, your channel will benefit the longer someone watches your video. That does not imply, however, that longer videos are always preferable. The goal is to maintain the audience’s interest. A lengthy and uninteresting video will drive viewers to click away. The challenge is to strike a balance.

Videos with high “audience retention”—the amount of time a viewer watches a video before leaving—are recommended by YouTube. Higher search engine rankings are typically attained by creators who maintain viewer engagement. Thus, while duration is important, engagement is even more important.

Comparing Short and Long Videos

It’s useful to consider the kind of content you’re creating while determining the optimal duration. Do you create entertainment-based material, vlogs, or tutorials? Different strategies could be needed for different kinds of videos.

Brief Videos (less than five minutes)

These days, short videos are very popular. For instance, YouTube Shorts, a style where videos are usually less than a minute long, has gained popularity. However, shorter content can still perform well in the standard video format, particularly if it is succinct and direct.

Check out one of the most well-known YouTubers, MrBeast. He has produced short and powerful videos like “I Gave $500,000 to Random People,” but his more complex challenges and series are typically lengthy. Despite being under five minutes, they are quite valuable.

Videos with a medium duration (5–15 minutes)

Now, five to fifteen minutes is a golden spot if you want to get further into a subject. You may convey important information at this length while maintaining audience interest. Because it strikes a nice mix between engagement and view time, it’s also simpler to rank in search results if your video falls into this range.

For instance, TED-Ed and other channels frequently produce videos that last ten minutes or less. These films explore instructional subjects in an interesting and simple-to-understand manner. They simplify difficult concepts into digestible portions, and the duration makes it easier for viewers to follow along without being overwhelmed.

Extended Videos (More Than 15 Minutes)

If your audience is interested in your material, longer videos do well. Gamers such as PewDiePie and Markiplier, for instance, frequently produce lengthy video game playthroughs. Because they offer in-depth and captivating content, their viewers adore these videos, which can range in duration from 20 minutes to more than an hour.

Long videos, however, demand dedication. Make sure your topic is interesting throughout the entire 30-minute video because not all viewers will watch it all the way through. 

Examples from Real Life

Let’s examine some producers and their approaches to video length:

Casey Neistat – He is well-known for his vlogs, which typically last eight to twelve minutes. He can include a lot of interesting material at this length and still keep the audience interested. Because of their quick editing, his vlogs are easy to watch through to the end. 

Marques Brownlee – You’ll notice that Marques’ tech assessments are frequently ten to fifteen minutes long if you’ve ever watched them. He provides clear, understandable explanations of intricate technical issues. He can demonstrate the product from every perspective, go over its features, and provide a comprehensive assessment thanks to this length.

Lilly Singh – Lilly is a well-known comedian who has five to twenty-minute videos. She has a reputation for being quite entertaining, and even though her films might be lengthy, they never seem to drag. Throughout the video, she has perfected the art of maintaining a high level of enthusiasm and captivating her audience.

The Most Important Takeaway

What is the ideal duration for your YouTube video? Your audience and content will determine the ideal length. Generally speaking, for a good combination of value and engagement, choose videos that are 5 to 15 minutes long.