{
  "id": 1557535,
  "title": "YouTube to change how it counts video views",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/youtube-to-change-how-it-counts-video-views-1557535",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-17T20:23:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2026/08/17/what-counts-as-a-youtube-view/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "YouTube plans to alter its video view counting methodology starting August 24, aiming to simplify metrics for content creators and advertisers. Currently, views are counted once a video is watched for 30 seconds, but this will change to start counting from the moment the video begins playing on any device. This update comes after content creators requested clearer exposure data to better communicate their value to brands and sponsors. YouTube acknowledges that different platforms have varying view-counting standards, which has led to confusion. The company will maintain engaged views in YouTube Analytics for creators to monitor actual viewer retention. The change is expected not to impact creators' earnings, which are based on engagement metrics.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "YouTube to change how it counts video views",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/youtube-to-change-how-it-counts-video-views",
        "published": "2026-08-17T20:23:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}