If you’re wondering what the ideal YouTube video length is these days, you’re not alone. You’ve probably heard that attention spans are shrinking and that shorter content is king—but that’s only half the story.
In reality, long-form content is not just alive and well on YouTube—it’s thriving.
Let’s break down how video length is performing in 2025, how Shorts fit into the picture, and most importantly, how you can decide what’s right for your channel.
Short-Form vs. Long-Form: Why Both Matter
Yes, YouTube Shorts and TikTok-style content have exploded in popularity. People love quick, snackable videos they can scroll through in seconds. But YouTube has clearly separated Shorts from long-form content in the platform’s interface—and that’s a big deal.
It means viewers and the algorithm treat them differently.
And here’s what we’re seeing:
- ▶️ Shorts are great for reach and potential virality.
- ▶️ Long-form videos drive deeper engagement, longer watch times, and better monetization.
The Long Video Trend: Real Examples from Top Creators
Let’s look at how this plays out on real YouTube channels.
- Cara and Nate, a travel channel, released “30 Hours to Run 100 Miles” (1 hour 36 minutes). Instead of breaking it into parts, they kept it in one engaging video—and it worked.
- Outdoor Boys uploaded a 3+ hour Hawaii trip compilation. Result? Over 2.4 million views in a few days.
- MrBeast now publishes videos over 20 minutes long—up from the 6–12 minutes of past years.
Lesson? Long videos work—when they’re good. Viewers will stay if the content stays strong.
Series Aren’t Working Like They Used To
If your strategy is to create “Part 1, Part 2” style series, it might be time to rethink that. The data shows viewers rarely follow through to multiple parts, and the algorithm doesn’t prioritize it.
Instead, aim to tell a complete story in one compelling video.
That said, linking related videos still has a place—through end screens, cards, and playlists. Just don’t rely on a linear series to keep people watching.
Shorts: Good for Reach, Not for Leads
If you’re focused on ad revenue or going viral, Shorts can help. But if your goal is to build trust and convert viewers into leads or customers? Long-form is where the magic happens.
In a recent experiment, linking Shorts to long-form videos resulted in just 0.1% of views coming from Shorts. Compare that to 1% from end screen links—ten times the impact.
Bottom line: Shorts are fun and flashy, but they rarely convert. Long videos, however, build the kind of relationship that leads to business results.
So… How Long Should Your Videos Be?
The best length for your video is however long it takes to deliver real value. That could be:
- 6 minutes to answer a question clearly and concisely.
- 15–30 minutes to teach a concept with examples.
- 60+ minutes if you’re telling a compelling story or documenting an experience.
If you’re short on substance, don’t pad for time. But if you plan ahead and include engaging stories or case studies, longer videos can perform exceptionally well.
Pro tip: Use YouTube’s average view duration and retention graphs. If your retention is above 50–60% deep into a 20-minute video? You’re on the right track.
Behind-the-Scenes Data from Real Channels
Want proof? Let’s peek at traffic sources on a few channels I help manage:
- Jason Schroer: 35% of views come from YouTube search. Shorts bring in just 6%, and views from Shorts to long videos? Only 0.1%.
- Noel Randall: 30% of views from search, with most others from browse and suggested. Again, Shorts contribute only 0.1% to long-form traffic.
Search, suggested, and browse remain the most powerful sources of long-form traffic. Shorts just don’t move the needle for lead generation.
Final Thought: Plan for Quality, Not Just Length
Instead of asking “How long should my video be?” ask:
- Am I giving high value?
- Am I holding the viewer’s attention?
- Does my content answer a question, tell a story, or build trust?
If yes—then go as long as it takes.
And if you want to dive deeper into creating searchable, lead-generating content, join my free webinar at TheLeafStrategy.com. You’ll learn how to rank on YouTube, keep viewers engaged, and convert views into results.
