YouTube, the world's largest video hosting site, has increasingly updated the algorithms of the system, making it difficult for users to understand exactly how the service works. Video views are the main indicator of viewer interest and success of filmed material. In this post we will see how exactly the algorithm works to count the views on YouTube, as well as which ones count and which ones don't.
Algorithms for counting visits on YouTube
YouTube constantly updates the algorithm to identify flaws in the algorithms for counting this metric.. Since many users who manage a channel monetize their videos, the question of the number of views is of utmost relevance to them. Let's take a closer look at what opinions are considered “pure” and when they just don't count.
Accounting views.
It is a mistake to think that the system counts all the reproductions of the videos on YouTube. In reality, according to the algorithms of the service, only a small part of them can be counted. To prevent unscrupulous users from increasing their metrics and getting undeserved money for it, YouTube checks all counters quite strictly.
The service has multiple degrees of review verification before being approved. There is a total of 4 main factors that can be identified. If all have been met, in that case the reproduction is validated. Let's consider each of them separately to better understand the methods of working with the platform.
Factor 1: Video Playback Method
There are two alternatives to activate a video: user clicks video clip by himself or display starts as a result of autoloading in autoplay. It is only counted when the YouTube visitor decides to view the video in question for himself.
Factor 2: Sight extension
At the same time of having to click on the video yourself, viewing time is also essential. The algorithm calculates a percentage of the total duration, but on average it will only be counted after 5-6 seconds. Thus, random clicks are not counted as views.
Factor 3: device optimization
The platform pays attention to the comfort of its users, so a very important factor is the ease of viewing the video on different devices. Even though videos are partially optimized when uploaded to YouTube, many channel creators crop the image to avoid crashing. Views will only be counted if the video is comfortable to watch in at least the 50% of the devices.
Factor 4: video visibility
This factor is one of the least mentioned, but it has a very strong impact on the visit count. YouTube's algorithm was recently modified to check if the browser window is open on the video clip to count. What does this mean? Video must be open for viewer to count, not the comments under it or other tabs.
If all the above conditions are met, the platform will add the view.
Previously, the algorithm worked a little differently: a system of "+301 visits" was in force. In other words, 301 views could be automatically seen in any video after uploading, and only after a period of time after achieving the real values of this brand, the algorithm would remove the invalid views and display the actual data. This algorithm has been disabled for 3 years. Now, as we have said before, there may be a reading during the first few hours, and then it will drastically decrease. This happens due to review honesty checks.
During the first hours, video display rate is not always accurate. Visits may not be counted for some time and then immediately increase to large numbers. This problem is especially common with new channel owners, where the system checks every time that there are no fakes in the video. The most exact number of viewers of your content can be seen only after 10 a 12 hours.
Not counting the views
In the first part of this post, we saw which views are considered fair by YouTube and add to the overall metric (Consequently, the author is paid for them if the content is monetized). Now let's move on to the situation where reproduction is simply not counted.
Factor 1: swindle.
The rudest method of violating the rules of the platform is to try to fake the views. As usual, third-party programs that, automatically and via bots, they just play the same video continuously, thus increasing the score. The risk of cheating is not only in dismissing these views, but also in the high probability of blocking all the video. Remember if you create monetizable content and scam at least once, YouTube can permanently deprive your channel of the ability to earn money from video.
Factor 2: views from a single device
The hosting algorithm works with an IP validation mechanism to count the views. In other words, if a video is viewed from the same device and through the same network, constantly updating the page, the screen will not be counted. At the time of opening the tab the figure may increase, but later the data will be reviewed and updated. A) Yes, of each IP and device only one replay is counted.
Factor 3: random inclusion.
Previously, We have already commented that the display is only counted when the user clicks on the video by himself. If you activate a playlist and watch all the videos in a row, the score will only increase on the first video.
The platform also combats random views of videos that have been incorrectly embedded in third-party sites., in pop-up windows, etc. Non-YouTube views only count when the player is properly embedded and the video matches the description and viewers' expectations. Social networks are an exception: integration into Facebook, Vkontakte or Odnoklassniki works according to other algorithms. When a video is integrated into social networks, views on YouTube themselves are not counted.
Factor 4: Audio off
When more than half the total length of a video has been muted, YouTube will not count it as viewed. This method allows you to calculate how many users truly interested in hosting give preference to the given content.
You need to understand that by using YouTube unfairly and constantly violating company rules, the author not only deprives himself of the possibility of making money, but it also worsens the state of your channel. These videos will not be included in the recommended ones and it is possible that they will not show in the subscriber feed.
We have considered all the nuances of the platform algorithm. How can you understand from the above, the best way to correctly count YouTube views is to wait for the analysis for some time.
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