YouTube Shorts, created two years ago as a response to TikTok’s short form video success, is making its own headlines.
The video platform says YouTube Shorts now has over 1.5 billion users that log in every month. The figure represents around three quarters of YouTube’s global base. By contrast TikTok claimed to have topped 1 billion monthly active users last September, with the anticipation that it would also pass the 1.5 billion mark during 2022.
YouTube has been adding a slew of new features to Shorts, while enticing content creators with generous cash bonuses, such as a $100 million fund set aside for its most popular videos.
Shorts is also being promoted as the means for YouTube to then drive audiences to its longer form content. While capped at 60 seconds, YouTube says the videos have a longer watch time overall.
“While we’re still at the beginning of our journey with Shorts, we know the product will continue to be an integral part of the YouTube experience moving forward,” said Neal Mohan, YouTube’s chief product officer.
It’s touted food and beauty influencer Rosanna Pansino who has seen views on her YouTube channel double year-on-year since starting to post on Shorts, which now represents 20% of total views.
