YouTube prioritises recommendations for Shorts containing original content

YouTube has recently stated that it is prioritising the creation of Shorts recommendations for its users by focusing on original content.

This decision will certainly impact users, as it means they may see less non-original content. Quoting a report from 9to5 Google on Friday (2/10) local time, Shorts was built as a platform to aggregate short-duration, attention-grabbing content.

Using clips from long-form content is one of the easiest ways to produce Shorts with high viewership potential. Due to these characteristics, it is not uncommon to find Shorts creators who take content from established creators who regularly produce long-form videos and turn those snippets into Shorts.

YouTube’s adjusted settings will change the reach of users who overtly upload content stolen from other channels. “To improve the Shorts experience for everyone, we are updating our recommendation system to more prioritise original content and reduce the reach of re-uploaded content from other creators,” YouTube stated.

The phrasing used by YouTube in its statement suggests that Shorts that do not contain changes from someone else’s work will be affected; however, with a small amount of creativity from Shorts creators, the reach might remain the same, though no clear limits have been established for this.

The change implemented by YouTube is intended to encourage users to enjoy more original content, and creators who upload original Shorts are likely to receive more appreciation. Although it has been announced, YouTube has not yet detailed a specific launch date for this change, though it appears the update may already be in effect.