Analyze any Shorts channel or video. Get detailed metrics including swipe rate, loop rate, engagement scores, and revenue estimates.
YouTube Shorts have unique metrics that don't apply to traditional videos. Understanding these differences is crucial for optimization.
The YouTube algorithm treats Shorts completely differently from long-form videos. While traditional videos rely heavily on watch time and CTR, Shorts success is determined by how engaging the first 1-3 seconds are (to prevent swipe-aways) and whether the content is compelling enough to loop. A Short with 50% swipe-away rate in the first second will be suppressed, while one with high loop rate gets pushed to millions.
Additionally, Shorts views do NOT count toward the 4,000 watch hours requirement for monetization. They have their own path: 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. This means you need a different strategy for Shorts-focused channels.
Understanding these metrics will help you optimize your Shorts for maximum performance.
Understanding the key metrics that determine your Shorts success.
Key Insight: The first 1-3 seconds determine 80% of your Short's success. A low swipe-away rate combined with high loop rate signals to YouTube's algorithm that your content is highly engaging, triggering massive reach expansion.
Compare your metrics against industry standards to see where you stand.
* Benchmarks based on 2024-2025 creator data across entertainment, education, and lifestyle niches.
Understanding how Shorts generate revenue and what to expect.
A viral Short with 1 million views earns approximately $30-70. The same million views on a long-form video would earn $2,000-5,000. Use Shorts for growth and audience building, then monetize through long-form content, sponsorships, or products.
When to use each format based on your goals.
Data-driven strategies to improve your Shorts performance.
Shorts URL, channel link, @handle, or video - we detect it automatically.
We fetch all Shorts, calculate engagement metrics, and estimate performance scores.
Detailed analytics with benchmarks, revenue estimates, and optimization tips.
Swipe-away rate measures how many viewers swipe past your Short without watching. It's the most critical metric for Shorts because YouTube's algorithm heavily penalizes content with high early swipe-aways. If more than 40% of viewers swipe away in the first 1-3 seconds, your Short will get minimal reach. This is why the hook is everything in Shorts content.
Loop rate is the percentage of viewers who watch your Short more than once in a single session. YouTube tracks when the video replays automatically or when viewers manually restart it. A 20% loop rate means 1 in 5 viewers watched at least twice. High loop rate signals extremely engaging content and triggers algorithmic promotion to more viewers.
Shorts have much higher volatility than long-form content. The algorithm tests each Short with a small audience first, then either promotes it aggressively or lets it die based on early engagement signals. Unlike long-form which can grow steadily over months, Shorts typically peak within 24-72 hours and then flatline. This is normal - even top creators have huge variance between Shorts.
No. Shorts views do NOT count toward the 4,000 watch hour requirement for the YouTube Partner Program. However, Shorts have their own monetization path: 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days (plus 1,000 subscribers). This means you can qualify for YPP through either path, but they're completely separate metrics.
Several factors contribute: (1) Ads play between Shorts, not during them, limiting inventory. (2) Shorts compete with free platforms like TikTok, keeping ad rates low. (3) Viewers consume many Shorts quickly, reducing per-view value. (4) Revenue comes from a shared pool, not direct ad assignments. (5) Creators only get 45% share (vs 55% for long-form). The result is roughly $0.03-0.07 per 1,000 views vs $2-6 for long-form.
The optimal strategy is both. Use Shorts for subscriber growth, audience discovery, and testing content ideas quickly. Use long-form for revenue, deep engagement, and building a loyal community. Many successful creators post 3-5 Shorts per long-form video. Shorts subscribers often have lower long-form engagement, so building a mixed audience is important for sustainable revenue.
Shorts can be up to 60 seconds, but optimal length depends on content type. Data shows 15-30 seconds often performs best for entertainment, while educational content can benefit from the full 60 seconds. The key is to not pad your content - end when the value is delivered. A tight 20-second Short beats a 60-second one with 40 seconds of filler.
Trending audio can help discovery as YouTube sometimes groups Shorts by sound, similar to TikTok. However, using licensed music means the rights holders get a cut of your revenue before you do. If monetization is your priority, original audio keeps 100% of your creator share. For growth-focused Shorts, trending sounds can boost initial reach.
This is the typical Shorts lifecycle. YouTube tests content with expanding audiences. If early metrics are strong, it pushes to more viewers. Eventually, the audience pool that responds well to your content is exhausted, and the algorithm moves on. Unlike evergreen long-form content that can be discovered via search for years, Shorts have a short lifespan - usually 1-7 days of significant activity.
Yes, YouTube Studio shows traffic sources. For Shorts, you'll typically see 85-95% from "Shorts feed" (people swiping), with smaller amounts from Browse features, Search, and Channel pages. If you see significant non-feed traffic, your Shorts are being discovered outside the typical swipe experience, which often indicates stronger SEO or cross-channel appeal.
Our tool fetches public data from YouTube's API, identifies Shorts (videos under 60 seconds in vertical format), and calculates performance metrics. We analyze engagement rates, estimate RPM based on current averages, compare against benchmarks, and provide optimization recommendations. While we can't access private analytics like swipe-away rate, we estimate performance based on visible engagement signals.
Shorts typically have lower engagement rates than long-form because viewers consume them passively. A 3-6% engagement rate (likes + comments / views) is good for Shorts. Above 6% is excellent. Below 1% suggests the content isn't resonating. Remember that passive Shorts viewers engage less than intentional long-form viewers, so don't directly compare rates between formats.
Minimally. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, YouTube hashtags have limited discovery impact. The #Shorts hashtag is no longer required (YouTube auto-detects Shorts). Using 1-3 relevant hashtags can provide minor categorization benefits, but your hook, retention, and engagement matter far more for reach. Don't stuff hashtags expecting viral results.
Consistency and optimization. Top Shorts creators have refined their hooks, understand their audience deeply, and produce high volume. They also benefit from subscriber momentum - existing subscribers see new Shorts first, providing strong early signals. Additionally, YouTube favors creators with proven track records, giving them larger initial test audiences. It's a compounding advantage built over hundreds of Shorts.
Yes, but expect lower conversion than organic long-form subscribers. Shorts subscribers often subscribed for quick entertainment and may not engage with 15-minute videos. Strategies that help: create Shorts that tease long-form content, maintain consistent branding, use verbal CTAs mentioning your long-form content, and create series that bridge both formats. Expect 10-30% of Shorts subscribers to engage with long-form.
Analyze your Shorts performance and get data-driven optimization tips.