How Long Should a YouTube Video Be in 2025?
Hey creators! 👋
Let’s talk about video length — one of the most debated topics for small YouTubers.
Some say shorter videos (under 5 mins) get more views and watch time.
Others believe long-form content (8–12 mins or more) performs better for retention and monetization.
Lately, I’ve been testing both and honestly, I’m still not sure what works best 😅
🧠 What’s working for YOU?
- Are shorter or longer videos getting more views or subs?
- What’s your average watch time like?
- Do you factor in monetization when planning your video length?
Let’s compare notes 💬👇
My 3-min videos get views faster, but retention drops below 40%
Anything above 8 mins gets better average watch time and higher watch hours!
I do Shorts + 10-min tutorials and they complement each other really well.
I heard that YouTube favors videos above 8 mins because of mid-roll ads.
Honestly, consistency matters more than length for small channels IMO