How Long Should A Youtube Video Be In 2025

Video length is a crucial factor in YouTube growth, as it has a direct influence in audience retention, the engagement rate of the content, and the possibilities for monetization. 

There are over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute on YouTube, so standing out requires a strategic approach. Creators producing tutorials, vlogs, or reaction videos must optimize their content duration to maximize reach. 

In 2025, a YouTube video should last between 7 and 15 minutes, yet there are multiple factors that you should consider. This guide explores the ideal video lengths based on analytics, audience behavior, and monetization strategies for 2025.

How Long Should A Youtube Video Be In 2025

A standard YouTube video length should be between 7 to 15 minutes. Short videos tend to go viral, but generate small direct earnings. Here is a quick overview that can help you understand the variations based on the type of content, your profile, and your audience.

Non-verified YouTube accounts can upload videos of up to 15 minutes. Having a YouTube verified account allows you to upload longer videos, with the following restrictions:

• 265 GB size per video
• 12 hours maximum duration

Key YouTube Metrics To Estimate The Length Of The Video

Before diving into the types of YouTube videos and their ideal durations, it’s important to understand the key metrics that determine video performance. Knowing these metrics helps you make informed decisions about video length and engagement.

• Average View Duration (AVD): The average view duration metric allows you to see the average amount of time that your viewers stay watching your video. It is one of the best ways to understand if your content is engaging or not.
• Average Percentage Viewed: The average percentage viewed tells you what is the average percentage of your video that the viewers actually watch. If you have high percentages, it can indicate that you not only offer engaging content, but also at a viewer-friendly pace. 
• Watch Time: The watch time provides you an insight on the total amount of minutes that your videos have been watched. The watch time is crucial for YouTube’s algorithm and impacts how often your videos are recommended.

Relationship Between Length And Viewing Depth

When deciding on your video length, it’s essential to understand how it impacts viewing depth and overall engagement. Longer videos often perform well when they maintain high engagement, but shorter videos can also succeed with focused, high-quality content.

How Long Should A Long, Short And Mid Length Youtube Video Be In 2025 For Engagement

• Short Videos (Under 7 minutes): Short videos are ideal for quick tutorials that don’t require many insights or additional information, updates, or entertainment clips. These videos have a high average percentage viewed.
• Mid-Length Videos (7 to 15 minutes): Mid-length videos are perfect for educational content, product reviews, or videos that require storytelling. They have information but at a regular/fast pace, for the audience to stay engaged.
• Long Videos (Over 15 minutes): The long videos are mostly used for in-depth tutorials, documentaries, and complex topics. They rank well when they have a compelling narrative and storytelling, because the audience has to see the video for a longer amount of time.

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How To Calculate The Optimal YouTube Video Length

The 7-15 minute average isn’t a "one size fits all", you may need to make some changes depending on your channel. The adjustments always have to be data-driven, so here we'll explore this in detail.

YouTube video creators agree that the focus should be on providing value in their videos, as that will ensure higher rates of watch time. Keep your viewers engaged and entertained by offering them exactly what they came to see, so avoid including irrelevant content.

Understanding Your Audience’s Viewing Habits

The main factor in calculating the length of your videos is to understand your audience’s viewing habits. To get a better insight, you should check the following key metrics on YouTube Studio Analytics:

• Audience Retention: This metric shows you how long viewers are staying on your video. Check the timeframe to see if your videos are too long, or if the content is what is causing them to lose interest.
• Average View Duration: The average view duration estimates the net amount of minutes viewers spend on your video. You can use that number as a parameter for performance, since you know that's the amount of time your audience is willing to watch.
• Watch Time by Video Length: Here you need to take a comparative approach by analyzing whether short videos have a higher watch time than long videos. If your video lasts 8 minutes but gets a retention of 6 minutes, it is better than a 15-minute video with the same watch time.

Combine this data and you'll be able to learn more about your audience and their viewing behavior. This way, you can estimate whether short or long videos are best for your channel.

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Niche-Specific YouTube Video Length Recommendations

Tutorial Videos (H3)

We recommend a length of 10-15 minutes for tutorial videos, although it can be extended depending on the complexity of the tutorial. Tech products may have longer tutorials, but in that case, you should present all the necessary information in a single video.

In-Depth Explanatory Videos

These videos are tailored for a very specific niche, such as cooking videos, teaching facts about history, and true crime videos, among others. So for indepth explanatory videos you can take 15-30 minutes, and if you need mre time, divide it into multiple parts.

Vlog and Entertainment

Vlog and entertainment videos should beetween 10-15 minutes, if they are longer we recommend that you make a division between "part 1" and "part 2", or that you use additional content for YouTube shorts, maximizing your views.

React/Gameplay Videos

The minimum length of  React or game play videos  is 15 minutes, and you can extend it further based on the feedback you receive from your audience. In these videos, the viewer wants to see you react to the highlights of a game, movie, or TV show, so try to showcase that in a maximum of 40 minutes.

Check Your YouTube Channel Engagement Rate (H3)

Engagement rate is a key indicator of how well your audience interacts with your content (likes, comments, shares, watch time, etc.), and it can guide you in determining the optimal length for your videos.

With Influencer Hero's free YouTube Engagement Rate Calculator you can calculate your channel's engagement rate and evaluate how it changes each month. This way, you can evaluate whether you need to change something regarding the length of the video, or if it's the content itself that's giving you a low engagement rate.

Engagement rate is usually calculated based on the entire channel, rather than individual videos. On YouTube, a 4% to 7% engagement rate is considered successful (on celebrities or channels with a loyal following), while 2% is the average.

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Benefits And Drawbacks Of Long And Short Videos

Although the ideal YouTube video length is between 7 and 15 minutes, there are some benefits and drawbacks that you should consider before making a decision.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Longer YouTube Videos

Benefits:

• Higher watch time: Longer videos statistically have a higher watch time, which is rewarded by the YouTube algorithm.
• More ad revenue potential: When a video is over 8 minutes, you can include mid-roll ads. Also, brands are more willing to partner with an influencer for conventional videos and not shorts (since for those they choose Instagram or TikTok reels).
• In-depth content: You can showcase a topic in-depth, and demonstrate your storytelling, analysis, and detailed explanation skills.
• Stronger audience connection: Long-form videos are a great way to build genuine connections with your audience.
• Better for SEO: Thanks to the longer watch time, long videos rank higher on YouTube.

Drawbacks:

• Higher drop-off rate: The long duration makes it more likely that viewers will stop watching the video before it ends.
• More effort to produce: Long videos take longer to edit. Also, the process of uploading them to YouTube may take longer depending on your PC or WiFi bandwidth.
• Not ideal for short attention spans: Most audiences are used to short videos on TikTok and Instagram, so they may not be looking for long videos.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Shorter YouTube Videos

Benefits: (H4)

• Higher retention rates: Since it lasts a couple of minutes, there is a better chance that they will watch it from beginning to end.
• Easier to produce: Short videos take less time to write, produce and edit. Plus, they are easier to upload to YouTube.
• Better for trending topics: A video that can be made faster will help you post something related to a trending topic, and get more views and clicks because of it.
• Good for newer channels: If you don't have a viewer base, short videos are perfect for attracting new people and letting them get to know your style, first in a short format.

Drawbacks:

• Lower watch time: Even if you watch it from beginning to end, being shorter will have less watch time, which is not good for the YouTube algorithm.
• Limited depth: Featured content should be quick and snappy, there is no time for detailed explanations.
• Fewer monetization options: Mid-roll ads are not available, so I will have to look for other forms of monetization such as partnerships or affiliate programs.
• Might require higher upload frequency: To keep your audience satisfied, you have to post numerous shorts per week.

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The Role Of Video Length In Monetization

The length of a YouTube video directly impacts how much money you can make. Longer videos often have higher earning potential, but shorter videos can still be profitable with the right strategy.

How Video Length Affects Earnings

1. Ad Revenue (YouTube Partner Program)
   
   • Videos 8 minutes or longer can have multiple ad breaks, increasing earnings.
   • Shorter videos rely on pre-roll ads, which pay less per view.
2. Watch Time & Algorithm Boost
   
   • Longer watch time signals YouTube to promote a video more, leading to more views and higher earnings.
   • Shorter videos can still perform well if they maintain high engagement rates.
3. Sponsorship Potential
   
   • Brands pay more for videos that have a better engagement rate and overall watch time.
   • Long-form content allows for integrated sponsorships rather than just quick shoutouts. It can also feel more organic to your channel, without looking like a forced collaboration.
4. Monetization on YouTube Shorts
   
   • Shorts are less ad-reliant but can generate earnings through the YouTube Shorts Fund, brand deals, and affiliate marketing.

What’s the Best Length for YouTube Videos for Earnings?

• Monetization and Watch Time: Longer videos can help you maximize your earnings, as they have a more extended watch time rate. The long videos also allow for multiple ad placements, increasing revenue potential.
• Ad Potential: Videos between 8 to 15 minutes tend to perform best for monetization, as they qualify for mid-roll ads and keep viewers engaged.
• Short vs. Long Videos: Short-form content can go viral and boost channel growth and visibility, but longer videos generate higher ad revenue.
• Content Quality Matters: A video’s success depends more on engagement and value than just length. So, providing high-quality content that retains your audience is key.

Maximizing Earnings with Multiple Income Streams

The money you earn from views and ads shouldn't be the only way you monetize your channel. Many users share that the ideal way to complement YouTube's monetization is to combine it with other income streams such as:

1. Affiliate Programs: Anyone with a social media presence can sign up to participate in affiliate programs. Once you are in, you just have to share the links or referral codes on your channel and earn a commission per sale or subscription.

2. Deals With Brands: Some brands are constantly looking for influencers to partner with, or you can reach out to them, but we recommend making sure that their values, products, or services align with those of your channel and audience, otherwise, the collaboration may seem inorganic and work against you.

3. Selling Merch: More and more influencers have an online store where they sell merch related to their channel. They usually sell clothing items, hats, or even magnets with catchphrases or elements that their viewers associate with them and their channel, to generate a sense of community and drive more sales.

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How To Enhance Average View Duration

Now that you have an idea of ​​what the length of your YouTube video should be, we can address the question of how to enhance the average view duration. This is key because if you achieve a longer watch time, YouTube will improve the ranking of your video.

1. Hook Viewers with an Engaging Introduction

Create an intro that will grab your viewers' attention. This is a good place to create catchphrases that your audience will recognize. Use hooks and trigger questions that relate to the topic of the video.

2. Structure Your Content for Retention

Videos are scripted to ensure you're not rambling all over the place, so take advantage of that. Make sure it's in an orderly fashion, going from the most important at the beginning to the useful extra information at the end. Use timestamps, visuals, and pacing to maintain engagement.

3. Set Expectations and Deliver Value

You can't have a promising intro and then let the video fall flat. You have to make sure that the content delivers the value that your followers are looking for. Otherwise, they won't stick around to watch the entire video.

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Trends in Video Content for 2025

With the majority of 2025 still ahead of us, there are several trends in video content for you to be on the lookout for:

• Prevalence Of YouTube Shorts: Long-format videos used to be the most important on the platform, but YouTube shorts are pushing for that position. Content creators can benefit from YouTube shorts by making multi-platform content (the same video for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube), or showcasing snippets from their longer videos.
• Viewer Preferences: The rankings show that in 2025 people want to see authenticity, and quality content, without any fluff or unnecessary content. Long-format videos can benefit from segmented content so that the viewers jump straight to what they came to see. This fosters a great engagement rate no matter the length of the video.
• AI Tools For YouTube: 2025 seems to be the year of applying AI-powered tools to enhance your social media performance. Creators are already using AI-driven recommendations for their scripts and video pacing, guaranteeing that even longer videos maintain high levels of engagement throughout.

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Final Thoughts On YouTube Video Length For 2025

In 2025, the ideal YouTube video length remains flexible, depending on content type, audience preferences, and engagement metrics. 

While 7-15 minutes is a solid benchmark, tutorials and in-depth videos may require longer durations, whereas entertainment and reaction content benefit from strategic segmentation. Monitoring analytics and experimenting with video lengths can help optimize performance. 

Ultimately, a balance between audience retention, monetization strategies, and content depth ensures success. By adapting to trends and engagement data, creators can maximize their reach and revenue.

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