Each social network arranges the content it shows to users in a different way, following its own algorithm. Some even have several algorithms.
YouTube uses several types of algorithms to organize its content
This is the case with YouTube, for example, which uses one algorithm for videos, another for recommendations, and a specific one for Shorts. These are short-form videos that have become popular on the social network and, as a peculiarity, are recorded in vertical format.
In this article, we will focus on the algorithm that organizes these contents and offer a series of tips to improve the positioning and reach of Shorts, which can also be monetized.
What is the YouTube Shorts algorithm and how does it work?
Shorts are videos of up to 60 seconds that are sorted by YouTube using a different algorithm than the one used for content in the feed. In fact, YouTube tries to emulate the recommendation system used by TikTok for the “For You” tab with the Shorts algorithm, aiming to make it just as effective.
The YouTube Shorts algorithm uses numerous variables to determine which videos to show users, taking into account their behavior on the social network and the topics they are most interested in.
-Watch time: For example, something it pays close attention to is the videos you spend time watching and those you “swipe up” to skip. Obviously, the YouTube Shorts algorithm will show you more content similar to those you spent more time on and less of those you didn’t want to see.
-Watch history: YouTube Shorts also uses your viewing history to determine which videos and types of content you might like more in the future.
-Similar content: YouTube Shorts takes into account the content you interacted with in the past to show you more videos of that type.
-Interactions: In addition, YouTube considers the interactions (likes, comments, shares, etc.) that the channel’s long-form videos receive to give greater reach to Shorts content.
-Relevance: It also pays close attention to the relevance and consistency of the channel publishing the content. For example, if a channel about a certain topic publishes a video on a different subject just because they think it will go viral, it probably won’t succeed. YouTube gives more reach to content that follows a thematic line on its channel.
