Top Stories· August 17, 2026 at 05:13 p.m.
YouTube Alters View Count Method to Match Instagram and TikTok
Key takeaways
- YouTube is changing its view counting method to match Instagram and TikTok
- The new method counts a view as soon as a video starts playing
- The change will take effect on August 24
Starting August 24, YouTube will count a view as soon as a video begins playing, similar to Instagram and TikTok's method. This change is expected to boost creators' total view counts more quickly. Currently, YouTube counts a view when a user watches a video for at least two seconds, while Instagram and TikTok add a view when a video starts or replays. Last year, YouTube applied this method to its Shorts videos.
