Do YouTube Shorts Count Towards Watch Hours?

Do YouTube Shorts count towards watch hours is probably something you’ve wondered if you’re aiming for monetization. Shorts are quick to make and can rack up views fast, but that doesn’t mean they always help you reach YouTube’s requirements.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what counts, what doesn’t, and how you can use Shorts alongside longer videos to hit your goals. By the end, you’ll know how to make both types of content work together to unlock the YouTube Partner Program.

Two Ways to Qualify for the YouTube Partner Program

When you’re trying to monetize, it helps to know there are two clear paths. The first requires 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 valid watch hours within the past 12 months. The second option is 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. Both open the door to full YouTube Partner Program benefits.

This is where the big question comes up: do YouTube Shorts count towards watch hours? They don’t count toward the 4,000-hour goal, but they do count toward the Shorts path. That means you can grow in either direction, depending on your content style.

So, how many watch hours to monetize YouTube? If you want to go the long-form route, you’ll need those 4,000 hours. If you focus on Shorts, aim for that 10 million view mark instead.

What Counts as Valid Public Watch Hours

Before you aim for monetization, it’s important to know exactly what watch time qualifies. YouTube measures only certain views toward the 4,000-hour requirement, and ignoring this detail can hold you back.

Watch time that counts

• Long-form public videos on your channel

• Public live streams that remain available after streaming

• Views from embeds or playlists, as long as the video is public

Watch time that does not count:

• Do YouTube Shorts count towards watch hours? No, Shorts watch time is excluded

• Private, unlisted, or deleted videos

• Paid advertising campaigns or promoted views

• Members-only streams or unlisted live streams

When you think about public watch hours on YouTube, the rule is simple: only public, long-form content and eligible live streams move you closer to the Partner Program. Shorts, ads, or hidden uploads don’t contribute, even if they rack up views.

Do YouTube Shorts Count Towards Watch Hours in Analytics?

If you’ve checked your Analytics, you may have noticed something confusing. Shorts watch time shows up in your overall numbers, so it looks like those minutes are helping you. But when you open the Monetization tab, those hours vanish.

That’s because YouTube separates all eligible hours from non-eligible ones. So, do YouTube Shorts count towards watch hours in your Analytics totals? Yes, you’ll see them listed there. But do they move you closer to the 4,000-hour requirement? No, they don’t.

This mismatch can be frustrating if you don’t know the difference. To stay on track, always check the Monetization tab in YouTube Studio, since that’s the only place showing the valid hours you actually need.

Shorts Monetization Explained

Shorts don’t boost your 4,000-hour requirement, but they have their own way of making money. When you post Shorts, ads run between videos in the Shorts feed. YouTube collects that revenue in a pool and then shares it with creators who have opted in.

So, do YouTube Shorts count towards watch hours for regular monetization? No. But they do count toward the Shorts-specific path, where you need 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. That’s a very different system from long-form videos, where ad revenue comes directly from watch-page ads.

If you want Shorts to pay off, make sure you’ve enabled the Shorts Monetization Module in your YouTube Studio. Without that step, you can rack up millions of views and still miss out on ad revenue.

Important Change – How Shorts Views Are Counted

YouTube recently updated how it defines a view on Shorts. Now, a view can come from three actions:

• 1. Someone starts your Short.

• 2. They replay it.

• 3. They scroll past it in the feed.

Because of this, many channels noticed a sudden jump in Shorts views. It became easier to rack up big numbers, and hitting the Shorts milestone of 10 million views in 90 days now feels more achievable.

But here’s the catch: do YouTube Shorts count towards watch hours because of this change? No. The update affects only the view counter, not the watch hours that matter for long-form monetization.

Think of it this way: imagine your Short goes viral with 2 million views in a week. It boosts your reach, brings in subscribers, and pushes you closer to that Shorts-specific path. But when you check your Monetization tab, your valid watch hours remain exactly the same.

The lesson is clear: use Shorts to grow your audience, then send that new traffic to your longer videos where the hours really add up.

Strategy – How to Use Shorts to Build Eligible Watch Hours

Shorts are powerful for discovery, but you still need long-form content to unlock monetization. That’s why it helps to think of Shorts as the hook and your longer videos as the main story.

Here are a few ways to bridge the gap:

• 1. Add Related Videos – Link a long-form video directly from your Short so viewers can continue watching.

• 2. Use Playlists – Group Shorts and long-form videos together. This keeps people on your channel longer.

• 3. Pin Comments – Drop a link to your longer video in the top comment of each Short.

• 4. End Screens & Cards – Guide viewers from a Short to a full video with one click.

• 5. Consistent Themes – If your Shorts tease a topic, expand on it with a longer upload.

If you want an extra boost while building your hours, you can take advantage of our own service to buy YouTube watch time.

We use real accounts with fast delivery, so you get safe, reliable results without delays. This gives you the momentum you need to reach monetization quicker, while you keep growing naturally with Shorts and long-form content.

Common Myths About Shorts and Watch Hours

When it comes to monetization, a lot of half-truths get passed around. Let’s set the record straight so you don’t waste time chasing the wrong things.

Conclusion

By now, you know the clear answer to the question: do YouTube Shorts count towards watch hours. They don’t. Shorts are measured on a different path that depends on views, while long-form videos and eligible live streams build the hours you need for monetization.

The smartest approach is combining both: use Shorts for discovery and audience growth, then guide that traffic to longer videos where watch time actually counts. This balance keeps you moving toward the YouTube Partner Program while still taking advantage of the massive reach Shorts can provide.

If you’re serious about growing your channel, focus on creating a steady mix of short-form and long-form content. That way, you can hit your milestones faster and keep your audience engaged every step of the way.