How YouTube SHORTS will DESTROY Your Channel (beware)
The Hidden Dangers of YouTube Shorts: How They Almost Ruined My Channel
Have you ever considered jumping on the YouTube Shorts bandwagon? 🚀 It’s hard to ignore the hype around this new content format. With short video platforms like TikTok on the rise, it seemed like a no-brainer to give YouTube Shorts a try. But before you dive headfirst into creating Shorts for your channel, there are some crucial things you need to know — things that no one told me when I started out. 😱
The YouTube Shorts Hype — A Cautionary Tale
I’ve seen countless videos and articles touting the benefits of YouTube Shorts, but very few addressing the potential pitfalls. So, let me be the one to give you a fair warning about the risks involved. YouTube Shorts can indeed skyrocket your channel’s success, but they can also lead to its downfall if not used wisely. How do I know? Well, because it almost happened to me.
A Health Channel’s Short-lived Detour
My YouTube journey began with a channel focused on optimizing health 🥗🏋️♂️. Initially, I planned to create long-form content, like any typical YouTube channel. However, as the buzz around YouTube Shorts grew louder, I decided to experiment. My strategy was straightforward: post long-form content a couple of times a week and churn out Shorts daily, covering similar topics. I believed that this combination would synergize to propel my channel to new heights.
Highs and Lows: Long-Form vs. Shorts
I launched my first long-form video and received a mere 19 views in the first week. My Shorts, on the other hand, fared slightly better. One of them even garnered thousands of views, which was encouraging. However, I was aware that the real revenue potential lay in long-form content, so I focused my efforts there. And then it happened — one of my longer videos took off, amassing around 120,000 views, with a CPM over ten dollars. I was on the brink of something big.
The Allure of YouTube Shorts
During that same week, one of my YouTube Shorts went viral, accumulating over a million views and several hundred subscribers. Achieving monetization through Shorts seemed far easier than meeting the long-form requirements. So, I decided to pivot my channel toward becoming a Shorts powerhouse, envisioning a future where I could live the dream of many YouTubers — owning a house in the Hollywood Hills. 🏡
Cracking the Virality Code
I studied viral Shorts meticulously and discovered that they often featured captions, jump cuts, animations, background music, and sound effects. I poured my heart into editing, hoping it would pay off. A few more Shorts went viral, and I achieved monetization within a couple of months. I was elated because my plan was unfolding flawlessly.
The Sudden Realization: AVD Woes
However, this is where things took a dramatic turn. Upon regaining focus on long-form content, I faced an insurmountable challenge — my videos struggled to surpass a few thousand views. I scrutinized my thumbnails, scripts, hooks, and editing, but nothing seemed to work. The culprit? Average view duration (AVD). My AVD was abysmal, hovering around a mere 20% of the video length.
The Audience Divide
I knew my content was engaging, but my audience was the issue. The subscribers gained from YouTube Shorts had incredibly short attention spans and likely subscribed for more Shorts content. They weren’t interested in long-form videos, causing my AVD to plummet. This was a crucial revelation.
The Algorithm’s Unforgiving Nature
YouTube’s algorithm, when you’re a new channel, tests your content with a small group of viewers. If they watch the video in its entirety and leave comments, the algorithm takes notice and promotes your video to a wider audience. But with subscribers, it prioritizes showing your videos to them first. If your own subscribers don’t engage with your content, even if it’s excellent, the algorithm assumes it’s not worth recommending.
The Final Verdict on YouTube Shorts
So, if you decide to juggle both Shorts and long-form content, you’re essentially catering to two different audiences — one with a 30-second attention span and another expecting eight-minute videos. The Shorts subscribers can inadvertently harm your long-form content’s performance.
The Hidden Truth Behind Shorts Promotion
Now, you might wonder why so many channels promote YouTube Shorts without warning you about these potential risks. The answer is simple: views and growth. These channels are fully aware that Shorts could harm their channels, but they’re not willing to disclose that information because it might deter viewers. So, I’m sharing my story to offer a fair warning.
The Balancing Act
To clarify, I’m not saying YouTube Shorts are bad. They can be incredibly profitable when managed properly. However, you must choose between a YouTube Shorts-focused channel or a long-form content channel. Combining both can lead to the same issues I faced.
Learn from the Pros
In conclusion, remember that successful YouTubers, such as MrBeast, who focus on long-form content, seldom post YouTube Shorts on their primary channels. Conversely, those who thrive on YouTube Shorts, like MD Motivator, typically don’t delve into long-form content. Both formats can be lucrative, but mixing them can be a recipe for disaster.
Join the Conversation
If you have a YouTube Shorts channel, share it in the comments below for networking and growth opportunities. Let’s use this space to help each other flourish. And if you found this Post helpful, explore my other content on social media growth. Stay tuned for more, and let’s continue this conversation soon. 💬📈
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