If you’re an up-and-coming YouTuber, you’re definitely aware of the importance of YouTube watch time. Getting monetized and verified on YouTube are the two most important steps in starting your YouTuber journey.

Keep reading to find out what watch time is, why it’s important, and how to track and increase it. 

What Is Watch Time on YouTube?

If you’re trying to enter the YouTube sphere, there are a few terms you should be familiar with. One of the most important ones is ‘watch time’. As opposed to retention time, which indicates what percentage of your videos were watched, watch time on YouTube is accumulative.

In simple words, YouTube watch hours refers to the total amount of hours your YouTube channel has been viewed. That means the accumulation of every minute any of your videos have been viewed makes up the watch time YouTube asks for.

Why Is YouTube Watch Time Important?

There are a few things that make watch time important. Most of them are related to the beginnings of your YouTube career.

1. Joining YouTube’s Partner Program (YPP)

To apply for YPP, you need:

  • 500 subscribers, 
  • 3 Valid public uploads (in the last three months)
  • 3,000 hours of watch time or 3M public Shorts view

Remember that joining YPP does not mean you are monetized by YouTube. In fact, being a member of YPP doesn’t offer you any ad revenue at all. However, it can help you get verified on YouTube, and be more credible for sponsorships.

2. Monetization

Arguably, being monetized is the difference between a casual creator and a YouTuber. If you’re counting on YouTube as a career opportunity, you need monetization and ad revenue. The requirements for monetization are:

3. Ranking

According to YouTube, the more ‘watch time’ you have, the more you’re likely to be recommended to people. How long people stay on YouTube is one of the most important things to the platform.

So, if you have a high YouTube watch time, you have kept people on the platform for longer. This makes YouTube value your content and recommend it to more people. The cycle continues; the more watch time you have, the more you’re recommended; and the more you’re recommended, the more watch time you get.

This also helps you get more views on YouTube and make more money in terms of ad revenue.

4. Sponsorship Opportunities 

Companies that work with YouTubers value watch time as well. Although not as much as audience retention, watch time on YouTube is still an indicator of your credibility. So, this factor gives you better sponsorship opportunities, tool.

Note: Overall, YouTube watchtime is a metric that measures your success on the platform. This means YouTube, companies, and sponsors will credit and value you more with a more impressive watch time.

How to Track YouTube Watch Time?

So you know the importance of watch time, but now you need to learn how to see watch time on YouTube. This process isn’t difficult at all. First, you need to:

  • Go to your YouTube Studio.
  • Find and click on ‘Earn’ in the left column.
  • Scroll down to find watch hours under ‘Eligibility’.

You can see how much watch time you have had in the last 365 days. Remember that your videos don’t have to be all uploaded in the last year, it’s just the views that need to be recent.

6 Ways to Increase YouTube Watch Time

Let’s say you’ve checked your records and are just short of the 4k mark to request monetization. It’s time to learn how to increase watch hours on YouTube.

1. Analyze Data and Make Adjustments

YouTube gives you access to many qualities about your audience. How long have they watched each video, which points have they skipped over, which thumbnails grabbed more attention, and so much more?

You need to utilize this data and try to replicate the success of your other videos. There is no formula on YouTube that works for everyone. So, it’s important to check what works for you and your audience and follow that as your personal formula.

2. Utilize Shorts

Shorts are YouTube’s tool to compete with newer platforms such as TikTok and Instagram reels. This has caused the platform to push and recommend shorts more than any other form of content.

By learning how to make YouTube shorts, you can use this tool to get more people into your page. Subsequently, getting more views and watch hours.

3. Promote Your Content on Instagram and TikTok

It is much more likely for you to go viral on TikTok or Instagram. This means either of these platforms is better for getting access to a new audience. A new audience brings you new fans, and new fans bring you more YouTube watch time.

So don’t hesitate to share your YouTube videos on Instagram, or promote your channel and its content on TikTok.

4. Retain Attention

The first 10 seconds of your video are the most important part. These crucial 10 seconds are all it takes for people to decide if they want to watch your video or skip to the next one. If you’re focusing on a younger audience, make sure to keep your videos dynamic.

Editing details, a smooth and easy script, and a planned video structure can keep your video from losing attention. If you’re focused on a mature audience, avoid over-editing and keep things light and sophisticated. 

If you do all that and still have less than 50% video retention, you may need to shorten your videos, skip intros completely, or change the focus of your content. Remember to experiment and learn what works for your personal channel.

5. Collaborate with Other Creators 

As always, collaborating with different creators can introduce you to new audiences. What’s more significant is that by knowing a creator, you can know their audience as well. So you can promote yourself to an audience that is highly likely to like you as well.

Collaborations can help you get more watch time, and also get more subscribers on YouTube. 

6. Evergreen Content

While content that is significantly relevant to the current events of the world can get you temporary views, evergreen content is guaranteed to continue bringing you views over time. Evergreen content refers to anything that isn’t related to a specific time or event.

It is true that evergreen keywords aren’t partially hot and popular, but as they always say, slow and steady wins the race. So don’t miss out on the potential of all-year-round content.

Conclusion 

The significance of YouTube watch time is not lost on any creators at all. You need it for monetisation, for sponsorship, and for being taken seriously on YouTube in general. So start increasing your watch time today, and hopefully, you can reach the 4K mark with our tips and tricks.

FAQs

1. What Is a Good Watch Time on YouTube?

Your average watch time is typically calculated based on how long you’ve been making videos and how many subscribers you have. So, if you have 1,000 subscribers and have been making videos for a year, you are expected to have around 4,000 hours of watch time.

2. What Are Public Watch Hours on YouTube?

Any video you upload on YouTube can be public or private. Public videos can be viewed by anyone, and private videos can only be accessed via link. Public watch hours mean how long people have watched your public videos, as opposed to your private ones.

3. How Many Watch Hours to Monetize YouTube?

To get ad revenue, you need 4,000 hours of public watch hours. However, if you’re choosing other ways of monetisation, such as sponsorships and Patreon, you don’t need a specific amount of YouTube watch time.