YouTube redefines 'view' from 24 August 2026

From 24 August 2026, YouTube will apply a new, uniform definition of a view: every view will count from the first frame, regardless of format: Shorts, Long Form, Podcasts or Live. The previous definition of a view will henceforth be referred to as an engaged view: a view in which the viewer watches beyond the first frame or actively clicks to watch the video.

Thumbnail impressions without interaction will continue to be excluded. When a user hovers over a thumbnail and autoplay starts, this will now count as a view. If the user then continues watching, an engaged view will also be recorded. Clicking or tapping on a thumbnail will immediately result in both a view and an engaged view.

Metrics such as CTR, AVD and retention will continue to be based on engaged views. The recommendation algorithms and the YouTube Partner Program will also remain unchanged. The main change therefore lies in the total number of reported views. As from 24 August every playback starting from the first frame can count as a view, advertisers and media planners will need to take the distinction between views and engaged views into account when comparing YouTube figures.