Observed Signal · Jul 30, 2026 · Study Release · Source: Meedia · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Social Platform Market: YouTube success: Longform, Regular Posting, Thematic Focus
A Metricool study analyzing 799,718 videos from 71,177 YouTube channels (comparison February 2025 vs February 2026) finds that longform videos significantly increased average views (+76% from 3,404 to 5,985 per video) and estimated watch time (+11%), while average watch duration per video fell from 3.98 to 2.51 minutes (-37%) and engagement rate declined (-45%). Shorts grew faster in raw views (+127%) and now account for 61% of all YouTube video views, though average watch time for Shorts is around one-third that of classic videos. About 10.08% of channels moved up a size tier (2,000–10,000 subscribers saw the highest uplift at 16%). The study recommends combining Shorts for reach with longform for education and trust, plus thematic specialization and regular posting for sustained discoverability.
A large-scale Metricool study provides actionable audience and content-format signals for advertisers and creators about YouTube content strategy (Shorts vs longform) and channel growth prospects, but it is observational market research rather than a platform policy or technical change.
Wichtigste Kernpunkte & Evidenz
- Metricool analyzed 799,718 videos from 71,177 YouTube channels, comparing February 2025 to February 2026.
- Average views for classic YouTube videos rose 76% year-over-year, from 3,404 to 5,985 views per video.
- YouTube Shorts views increased 127% year-over-year and now represent 61% of all YouTube video views.
- Average watch duration per classic video fell from 3.98 to 2.51 minutes (-37%); engagement rate dropped from 2.38% to 1.30% (-45%).
- On average 10.08% of channels advanced to the next size tier; channels with 2,000–10,000 subscribers had a 16% chance to move up.
Verknüpfte Unternehmen
14 verknüpfte UnternehmenMeta
Konsumentenorientierte Internet-Plattformen, die durch digitale Werbung, Apps, Abonnements und Virtual Reality monetarisiert werden.
X
Betreiber von X, einer sozialen Plattform, die durch Anzeigen, Abonnements und API-Zugriffe monetarisiert wird.
“The article lists X among platforms with a reported 1% channel growth in the comparative ranking....”
Professionelles soziales Netzwerk für Personalbeschaffung, Werbung, Vertrieb und Weiterbildung.
“LinkedIn cookies (bcookie, li_gc, lidc) are listed under marketing cookies in the site's cookie table....”
Visuelle Entdeckungsplattform mit einer Self-Serve-Werbeplattform für Unternehmen.
“Pinterest is mentioned in the platform comparison as having a 1% channel growth rate in the study....”
Metricool
Eine führende B2B-SaaS-Plattform für Social-Media-Management, Multi-Channel-Publishing, datengestützte Analytics und automatisiertes Kampagnen-Reporting für Agenturen und Marketing-Teams.
“The current YouTube study by Metricool analyzed 799,718 videos from 71,177 channels and compared performance between February 2025 and Febru...”
MEEDIA
Ein dezentralisierter B2B-Marktplatz für die direkte Lizenzierung und Distribution von Creator-Owned Bild- und Video-Content ohne intermediäre Friktion.
“This article reporting the Metricool YouTube study was published by MEEDIA and authored by Frank Puscher....”
WordPress
Ein Open-Source-CMS-Ökosystem, das von einer US-amerikanischen Non-Profit-Stiftung verwaltet wird.
“WordPress is listed as the creator of cookies like wordpress_test_cookie and wp_lang in the site's cookie table....”
Datareporter
Österreichischer SaaS-Anbieter für automatisiertes Consent Management und DSGVO-konforme Enterprise-Privacy-Compliance.
“DataReporter GmbH is listed as the creator of certain consent cookies (e.g., _webcare_consentid, cookieconsent_mode, cookieconsent_status) u...”
Datadog
Cloud-Observability-Software für die Überwachung von Infrastruktur, Anwendungen, Logs und Telemetriedaten.
“A DataDog cookie (ID) is listed under the site's statistics cookies to collect information about visits and page relevance....”
TikTok
Plattform für Kurzvideos mit integrierten Werbe-, Handels- und Kreatorentools.
“The article compares YouTube channel growth rates to other platforms, noting TikTok's channel growth rate of 16%....”
Medienfachverlag Oberauer
Führender DACH-Fachverlag für Medien-, PR- und Printing-Professionals mit integrierter B2B-Plattform-Infrastruktur für hochpräzises Audience-Targeting.
Cloudflare
Globale Cloud-Plattform für Sicherheit, Performance und Edge-Application-Delivery.
“The cookie __cf_bm is attributed to CloudFlare in the site's cookie table....”
Suchmaschinen-, Video-, AdTech- und Cloud-Gigant innerhalb des Alphabet-Konzerns.
“Google cookies (_ga, _ga_(GA4-ID), __gads, NID) are listed in the site's cookie table and Google is referenced regarding cookies used....”
Meta's visual social platform and advertising inventory business.
“The article compares YouTube channel growth rates to Instagram (9%) when discussing cross-platform growth....”
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