If you want to work out how does YouTube count views, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to understanding how does YouTube count views, it is important to understand the definition of a view. The view will be counted by YouTube depending on whether the user has started watching the video or not.
On the surface, YouTube views may sound very simple; however, it is an entirely different story when it comes to figuring out what counts as views on YouTube.
If your goal is to gauge the success of your content on the video-sharing platform via the number of views, or if you want to check how far along in the process of earning money from your YouTube account, you will be able to understand how to count YouTube views.
In this article, we will talk about everything related to counting views on your YouTube channel and videos and how it is done.
How Does YouTube Count Views?
YouTube has made it very clear that a view is an intended play by a user that has been de-spammed when thinking about how does YouTube count views.
This means that the view is not playback, spam play, scripted play, or autoplay. According to YouTube, the view must be a user’s choice to watch a video on YouTube, not as a result of an incentivized view.
For the best results, YouTube wants to ensure that the video comes from real users, which is why a view is counted only if it meets the following two criteria:
- The user needs to tap on the play button to start the video
- The video is viewed for at least 30 seconds
However, what happens when you watch three separate 10-second segments of a five-minute video?
In such instances, it is possible that YouTube will count the view since you are watching the video in parts.
So, what about videos that are shorter than 30 seconds? In such cases, YouTube will make use of various analytical tools to make sure whether a view is legit or not.
However, you cannot monetize on videos that span 30 seconds or less since they have fewer data and will often have lesser views.
Does The Ads Count As Views On YouTube?
Most YouTube content creators have the question – do ads count as views when considering how does YouTube count views?
In most cases, views do count for brands that make use of the video-sharing platform’s in-stream video ad system, which can be used to display the video on both YouTube and Google Display Network.
In this case, the views on the content will be counted when:
- When you watch the complete ad that is between 11 and 30 seconds long
- You watch a minimum of 30 seconds of a longer ad
- When you tap on the video ad and interact with it
Additionally, TrueView Video Discovery Ads is also another type of ad you need to understand.
In this case, the paid advertising views will only be counted when someone taps on the ad and the video start playing.
What Types Of Views Are Not Counted?
Now that you understand the basics of how does YouTube count views, let us try to understand why some types of views are not counted.
Some of them include:
Views From Embedded Videos
The rules about how does YouTube count views from embedded videos have changed in the past several years; there also have been reports proving the same.
To embed a video, YouTube will provide you with a unique code/link that you simply need to copy and paste.
This code can be used anywhere ranging from a homepage or social media platform to a blog post or forum post.
This is one of the reasons why YouTube is considered one of the top video hosting platforms.
Therefore, views from these embedded videos do count; however, the catch here is that they should not be set to autoplay mode.
Additionally, if the embedded video plays automatically when the page loads up, it will not be counted as a view. In fact, it has been studied that users find it very annoying when a video starts playing automatically.
Hence, it is always better to let the user play the video on their own terms.
Repeated Plays Within A Short Time Duration
It is understandable that users may require to watch a video several times in a row when they are showing the content to their family and friends when talking about how does YouTube count views.
Therefore, all these views will be counted as legit and will be new views.
In the case of educational videos, it is understandable that a user may require to repeat the videos again and again to understand the content and/or concept.
All these views will be counted as legitimate views.
However, YouTube will only allow you to view a video 4-5 times in a row. This means that any views after this limit will not be seen as new views and will not be counted for at least 24 hours.
After 24 hours, if the user watches the video again, then it will be counted as a legitimate view.
Views From View Sellers And Spam IPs
Today, you will find a lot of platforms where you can buy views for your YouTube content. This is a method that is used by new content creators to increase views on their videos.
At first, these views are counted as temporary; however, YouTube will be able to detect these spam IP views or fake ones. Later, YouTube will stop adding these views to your videos.
Views From Spam Bots
There are some types of content creators that make use of spambots to get more views on their YouTube views.
However, YouTube should not be taken lightly; the video-sharing platform perfectly understands how this works.
If the user is viewing each video for only 31 seconds and jumping rapidly to the next video, YouTube will flag the user and stop counting the views.
Additionally, Google also works to monitor spamming comments on the videos. Since they are an annoyance, Google will red-flag.
Soon, these numbers of views will disappear from the video since they are from spambots.
Views Provided By Malware Viruses
In this case, we are not talking about any dangerous malware or viruses that can get downloaded while watching any video.
As most of us already know, users may get tricked into installing and downloading viruses and malicious software unknowingly.
However, these viruses are quite harmless and will only open your browser or remain hidden; they will simply play monetized videos.
If the virus remains undetected and the content creator makes money, then you will not face any problem.
However, if Google tracks it, all these views will be excluded from the total number of views later.
Views After 301 Views
After the views on your videos cross 301 views, it may seem that the views are stuck at this number for some time. While it may look like spam, you have nothing to fear.
Even if you refresh your page, the number remains the same. This happens because the algorithm is in the process of detecting and removing fake views from spam bots and malware.
To put it simply, 301 views is considered the tipping point for video views.
In this case, the employees of YouTube will start manually looking into all the views of your video and check whether they have been appropriately obtained.
If the YouTube workers notice freezing or fluctuating in the number of views on your YouTube videos, they will start auditing your videos.
If they find that the views on the video have been acquired fairly, the number will remain the same.
However, if the views on the videos are acquired by third parties, malware, virus, and/or spam bots, the views will be removed from the videos.
What Are Some Great Platforms to Buy Legitimate YouTube Views?
Some of the best platforms where you can buy legit YouTube views include:
1. Media Mister
One of the best platforms to buy YouTube views is Media Mister.
This company has been working in this niche for many years and will only provide legitimate and high-quality views for your YouTube videos.
The company will provide you with personalized service so that you can grow your YouTube channel and also improve the ranking of other social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
2. GetAFollower
GetAFollower is another great platform where you can buy views for your YouTube videos.
You will be able to buy legitimate views for YouTube videos at the most pocket-friendly price rates.
In fact, you can easily buy 500 views for less than $3.99.
While the company offers its prices at very pocket-friendly prices, it will not compromise on the quality of its services.
Overall, this platform has received a lot of positive reviews for its services.
3. Buy Real Media
You can easily buy views for your YouTube videos at very pocket-friendly prices.
This company makes use of a specialized formula to boost the number of views on your videos.
Additionally, these services will be provided to you at very cheap price rates.
The company is also known to provide exceptional customer care support.
Apart from YouTube, you can also make use of Buy Real Media to improve other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Final Thoughts
When you are looking for platforms that sell views for your YouTube videos, it is essential that you make use of renowned platforms, like Black Hat World and Fiverr.
All you need to remember is that if the seller is cheap, there is more chance of your views getting filtered by YouTube.
In most cases, the cheaper platforms will sell fake views.
Additionally, they will also not work discreetly so that the views can seem legitimate.
Since these videos cannot be passed by the YouTube audit, they will eventually get filtered out.
This means that all the money that you have invested in buying millions of YouTube views will go to waste.
However, there are certain platforms that allow you to buy views legitimately.
All you need to know are some platforms that can help you do so.
It is always recommended to work with these companies so that you can monetize your YouTube channel.
The views you receive will be from real viewers and will improve your digital promotion campaigns across all types of social media platforms.
One of the best services that you can use is Media Mister.
This platform has been working in this field for many years and understands how this market works.
You will only receive authentic views from real viewers.
This way, you will not end up losing the number of views on your YouTube videos.