[Updated] 2024 Approved How Does YouTube Count Views? It's Not as Simple as You Think

How Does YouTube Count Views? It’s Not as Simple as You Think

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

How does YouTube count views? It’s not as simple as the number of clicks your video gets. If someone sits and refreshes your video over and over without letting it play for any significant time, those refreshes won’t be recorded as views. There is a lot more that goes into the calculation.

Not Everyone Who Clicks Adds to Your View Count
How Does YouTube Count Views
How Does YouTube’s View Count Algorithm Work?
Account Tracking Factors - Some Viewers Don’t Count
The Skip & Skim
Frozen YouTube View Counts
The 301 Mark

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1. Not Everyone Who Clicks Adds to Your View Count

YouTube doesn’t provide a clear definition of what counts as a view, but we know that someone clicks on your video, and clicking right away doesn’t count. That’s how we know that watch time is a factor. Some studies conclude that a full 30 seconds need to be viewed to register as one view, but there is no way to know for sure.

2. How Does YouTube Count Views?

YouTube wants to be sure that views are coming from humans and not bots. So, during the first couple of hours after you publish a video, YouTube seems to be stricter about what they count. The views which are counted are the ones that YouTube believes to be legitimate. Sometimes, it ends up skipping legitimate views for the sake of discretion.

Once this window of time passes, it is likely that you will see the view counter start to update a lot more frequently. The counter could still revert to updating slower and more hesitantly, though, if YouTube’s algorithm thinks it’s detecting something fishy.

At times, your view count can even be frozen temporarily until the algorithm can validate the views you are receiving. This is done to ensure a fair and positive experience for everyone who creates content. View counts can be adjusted by the algorithm in either direction.

3. How Does YouTube’s View Count Algorithm Work?

Termed by many as one of the most boggling algorithms of all time, it is really hard to decode the complete dynamics of the YouTube view count algorithm.

There are some tests you can run yourself to try to unpack it.

If you upload a video and then set it as unlisted it won’t get any public views so you can experiment by doing things like watching for different lengths of time and seeing what gets counted.

You’ll have to use a computer in a different location and make sure the account is not the same as the one you used to upload the video. Now, you need to watch the video for roughly 15 seconds. The key here is to keep it less than 30 seconds. You will see that the view did not add to the count. If you repeat this process on multiple computers at varying locations and with different accounts and you are likely to find the same result.

However, if you watch it for 30 seconds or longer it is likely that the count will go up.

We are adding ‘likely’ here because, despite this 30-second rule which has been decoded, there are other factors that might contribute to whether a view is counted as well as other automated scanning techniques at play.

Try to watch the same video numerous times in a single day. You will find that the count will add up at first, but after some time it will stop. YouTube knows that a lot of times people replay some videos over and over when they really enjoy them, and so they want to factor replays into their algorithm because they suggest quality. However, to avoid spam views, the counter will stop after a certain point.

4. Account Tracking Factors - Some Viewers Don’t Count

Something else that can affect whether a view is counted is the behavior of the account which watches it prior to landing on your video’s watch page. Sometimes, YouTube might feel that there is an increased chance a particular account is actually a bot, and then views from that account might not be added.

One way that YouTube might flag an account as a potential bot is if it is jumping between videos directly without navigating through recommendations, the search engine, or the account’s subscriber feed (how are they getting between these watch page URLs if they aren’t clicking on anything YouTube can record?). To add to it, if the viewer is watching each of the videos for almost 30 seconds exactly (or less) there is an increased probability that it is not a human but a bot (or a human watching the bare minimum as part of a view exchange program).

Any bot-like action will result in an account’s views do not be added to your view count.

5. The Skip & Skim

It’s not uncommon for viewers to watch a video for say five seconds, skip forwards a bit and watch for another ten seconds as they look for a specific part. It is hard to say whether skipping through a video, but watching a scattered 30 seconds, would count as a view or not.

6. Frozen YouTube View Counts

Sometimes YouTube will freeze a view count in order to check that it is accurate. When the count is unfrozen, the count may jump up as views are validated or it can go down if YouTube detects a problem.

You can use YouTube’s analytics reports to monitor an estimate of your potential views, but there is no assurance that this data will completely match your official view count.

7. The 301 Mark

You may have seen a lot of videos that have a stagnant count of 301 views. The algorithm behind YouTube’s view counting system believes that any video which has fetched higher than 300 views has the ability to impact people’s perception of quality on YouTube. They do not want the homepage to be crowded with artificially popular videos.

This is why view counts are often frozen at 301. The employees at YouTube then manually verify whether the views obtained so far are legitimate or fake. Once the employees are sure that the views are legit, the counter is unfrozen and you will see an upward swing.

During the period when the view count is frozen every legitimate view is still counted, just not added immediately. Once the YouTube team is sure that your videos are not getting fake traffic, your view count will be updated to include views that were registered during the frozen phase. However, YouTube says it won’t flag videos at 301 views anymore.

Conclusion

In short, we know YouTube expects a viewer to watch a video for around 30 seconds before it counts a view, that views from suspicious accounts are not counted, and that YouTube can decide to freeze your view count while they review your views. They are protecting the site from becoming saturated with videos that only look popular because of bots. Ultimately, ‘how does YouTube count views’ isn’t a question anyone but YouTube can answer for sure, but we do know it isn’t as simple as ‘a view is someone clicking on your video’.

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Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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Science Enthusiasts’ Top 15 Channel List

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A huge number of social media channels have now become a medium for sharing knowledge. The same is seen in the case of YouTube channels. More and more YouTube channels are now coming up with educational content that can help expand your knowledge. Here are some of the top science YouTube channels in 2024 that you can follow to expand your knowledge in the corresponding field.

Part 1: 15 Best Science YouTube Channels

Here are the top 15 science YouTube channels that cover a wide range of science topics, including physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, and so on.

1. minutephysics

If you are looking for the best physics YouTube channels, minutephysics should make your list. The channel tried to explain physics in a cool and understanding way. Besides, there are some sweet parts of science involved. The Physics YouTube channel comes up with 2 videos every quarter, more or less.

2. Amoeba Sisters

When you visit the channel, its outlook may confuse you with some type of cartoon channel. But actually, it is to explain the tough science topics in an easy and entertaining manner- through cartoons. The channel covers videos on a wide range of scientific topics. But it is actually one of the best biology YouTube channels out there. The channel updates its videos every week, i.e., two videos per quarterly.

3. Tyler DeWitt

The best chemistry YouTube channels can make your fear in chemistry go away with their videos. Tyler DeWitt is such a channel. If you are looking for the best YouTube channel for class 11 science, specifically for chemistry, what better way can there be to learn it from a high school teacher, that too in an accessible way?

4. Computerphile

The name ‘Computerphile’ suggests someone who is fond of computers. Well, it is one of the best computer science YouTube channels you will find. The channel covers videos on almost all parts of the computer and related things. Computerphile comes up with a new video every week.

5. sentdex

It is one of the best data science YouTube channels you will find. The channel creates tutorial videos, which are based on text. It offers videos on deep analysis, machine learning, and so on. Sentdex comes with new videos around ten days apart.

6. NASA

When you are going through a list of best science YouTube channels, it must involve space. And here is one of the best astronomy YouTube channels, NASA itself. The channel offers live streaming, so you can continuously be in the quest. With daily video upload, sometimes 2 videos in a day, NASA has managed to make the list of the bests.

7. Bloomberg Politics

Bloomberg Politics is one of the best YouTube channels for political science. The channel offers non-partisan global political coverage with regular videos. Its videos include breaking news, political analysis videos, digital videos, and so on. The channel releases 13 videos a week, which is 2 videos a day.

8. Sick Science

Kids learn more easily through practical tutorials like videos. Hence, the best YouTube science channels for kids may be a great way to make them learn something. The channel offers scientific experiments on a wide range of topics, which makes it easier for kids to learn. From Physics to Chemistry, the channel covers it all. Here is a video on egg experiments from Sick Science.

9. AsapSCIENCE

Here is yet another of the best YouTube science channels for kids. The videos are informational with fun at the same time. AsapScience investigates various scientific questions on a wide spectrum of subjects. Although the channel is a perfect choice for kids, adults will love it nevertheless. The channel comes with new videos every week. Here is a video link from AsapScience.

10. SciSHow Space

If you are looking for more of the best astronomy YouTube channels, here is another one. SciShow Space explores the outer universe on Tuesday and Friday every week. The hosts share information regarding the space and more in a few-minute range. The videos come in two times a week. Here is a video link from SciShow Space.

11. The PC Security Channel

With the ever-evolving digital world, the security of your PC has become as important as that of your house or even your life. The PC Security Channel is one of the best computer science YouTube channels, which help you protect your PC in a more sophisticated way. The channel comes with new videos every week. Here is a video link from the channel.

12. Chemical & Engineering News

The next on our list of best Science YouTube channels is Chemical & Engineering News. It is a publication of the American Chemical Society. The channel focuses on updated news of the chemical and engineering industry, that specifies more on the chemistry-related work of professionals. From scientific experiments to scientists’ lives, there is a wide range of topics. Here is a video link from the channel:

13. CrashCourse

With the animated presentation of the scientific content in an easy manner and covering videos on biology, chemistry, and so on, no need to explain why CrashCourse made our list of the best science YouTube channels. The channel stacks interesting information in all of its videos. If you don’t feel like learning Biology, you can still go through the videos on computer science. It is also there. The channel releases 3-4 videos a week. Here is a video link from the channel.

14. Physics Girl

When we talk about the best science YouTube channels, Physics Girl must be on that list. From DIY experiments to explaining difficult scientific topics, Physics Girl has made learning Physics easier than ever. The channel comes with 5 videos per month. Here is a video link from Physics Girl.

15. Physics Online

If you are looking for the best Physics YouTube channels that are the perfect choice for a student of high school, Physics Online is where you go to. The channel offers videos with online tutorials on the basic concepts along with interesting experiments, which can make your Physics learning a complete package. The channel also shows how you need to answer questions in the exams. The update frequency of Physics Online is 3 videos per week.

Part 2: How to Start Your Own Science Channel on YouTube?

Starting and managing your own science channel is not only interesting but also challenging. Here are some tips that can help you start your own science channel on YouTube.

Tip 1: Do enough research

As you are trying to create educational content, you must do adequate research to come up with accurate information. Also, in this era of increasing competition, a lack of research will do nothing but harm.

Tip 2: Create high-quality content

Content quality matters and that applies to educational content too. This is the part where you need to put most of your time in. Researching the topic and then presenting them in an engaging way can be the source of your high-quality content.

Tip 3: Use the best tools

When creating videos for your new science YouTube channel, make sure you use the best tools available. You can use Filmora to edit your videos to give them the professional and engaging look they require.

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Tip 4: Make your content engaging

Subscribers crowd in channels that can connect with them. Some ways to do that is interactive videos with your subscribers, DIY videos, science experiments, and so on.

Tip 5: Avoid trolls

When you start an educational channel, there will be some people who will mock you at every chance. But to keep continuing is the key here. You need to put your best, not what people think of you or your content.

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### Tip 6: Information and practical

As you are trying to create educational content on your YouTube channel, you need to make them as informative and practical as possible.

Conclusion

The best science YouTube channels have one thing in common- high-quality content. As you try to become a YouTuber with educational content, you need to keep that in mind. Hopefully, the tips in this regard will come in handy.

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Part 1: 15 Best Science YouTube Channels

Here are the top 15 science YouTube channels that cover a wide range of science topics, including physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, and so on.