Google recently revealed that YouTube Shorts attracts over 2 billion logged-in users every month. This marks an increase of approximately half a billion monthly users since 2022.
While these impressive figures seem to give YouTube’s short video tool an edge over competitors like TikTok and Instagram Reels, it might not be entirely positive news for the platform.
According to a report by the Financial Times, citing company insiders, short videos might be affecting the primary long-form video business of the Google-owned platform.
The report suggests that YouTube Shorts risks “undermining its core business.”
The latest strategic meetings at YouTube discussed the potential disappearance of long-form video content, which historically generates more revenue for the company, as a predominant format.
The report also alleges that the YouTube team believes content creators are producing fewer long-form videos, driven by a waning consumer appetite and commissions from brands that prefer shorter content for product placements.
Last month, Google launched a new feature in YouTube Music, named “Samples.” Users can find this feature within a distinct “Samples” tab in the YouTube Music application on both Android and iOS, strategically positioned between the “Home” and “Explore” tabs.
The essence of the Samples feature is to offer users a continuous stream of short video clips, nudging them toward their next favorite track.
These recommendations, deriving from YouTube’s vast music video library, are tailored to individual listening preferences. They span a wide musical spectrum, from classic tunes to emerging hits.
On a separate note, YouTube added a uniquely designed logo next to its name, in a move to endorse creators of Arabic calligraphy content.
The emblem, meticulously hand-crafted, is a nod to creators focusing on the art of “handwritten Arabic calligraphy”.
The platform commented: “We invite you to join the content creators who showcase videos about the art of calligraphy, highlighting this ancient art that captures attention.”
