How to Count Public Watch Hours on YouTube

If you’re a content creator on YouTube, you would know the importance of public watch hours. These watch hours determine whether you can be a part of the YouTube Partner Program and monetize your videos. The platform requires you to have 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months, along with a minimum of 1,000 subscribers to be eligible to earn money from your content.

Reaching this milestone can be a challenging task, especially if you are new to YouTube or have a small subscriber base. In this blog post, we will discuss some simple methods that can help you count your public watch hours easily and accurately.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed?

To count your public watch hours on YouTube, you need a YouTube channel, access to your channel’s analytics dashboard, and knowledge of some basic calculations. You can access your channel’s analytics by logging in to your YouTube account and clicking on the profile icon in the top-right corner. Then, select "YouTube Studio" from the drop-down menu.

What Requires Your Attention?

It’s essential to note that not all views count towards your public watch hours. Your public watch hours only include the time that viewers spend watching your videos from start to finish. So, if a viewer skips your video or watches only a portion of it, that time will not be counted towards your public watch hours.

Moreover, only public videos count towards your public watch hours. Private or unlisted videos do not count towards these hours, and neither do videos that have been removed or deleted.

Method 1: Check Your Analytics

The easiest method to check your public watch hours is by using YouTube’s in-built analytics tool. To access it, log in to your YouTube account, go to your Creator Studio, and select the "Analytics" option from the left sidebar.

1. Click on the "Watch time" tab on the Analytics page.
2. Select the time range for which you want to calculate your public watch hours.
3. Scroll down to the "Top Videos" section, and look for the "Public Watch Hours" column.
4. Add up the watch hours for all videos in this column to get your total public watch hours.

Pros:
– You don’t need any third-party tools or software for this method.
– It gives you an accurate count of your public watch hours for a specific time period.

Cons:
– This method is suitable only if you want to check your public watch hours for a fixed period.
– You can’t filter out private or unlisted videos in this method.

Method 2: Use Third-Party Tools

Another popular method to count your public watch hours on YouTube is by using third-party tools such as ChannelMeter or Social Blade. These tools offer a range of analytics features, including public watch hours, engagement metrics, and demographics data for your audience.

1. Sign up for a free account on a third-party tool website.
2. Connect your YouTube channel to the tool and allow it to access your channel data.
3. Look for the "Public Watch Hours" metric on the tool’s analytics dashboard.
4. Add up the watch hours for all videos to get your total public watch hours.

Pros:
– Third-party tools offer more advanced analytics features than YouTube’s native tool.
– These tools allow you to filter out private or unlisted videos.

Cons:
– Some third-party tools may not be accurate and may offer different results than YouTube’s native tool.
– Some tools may require you to upgrade to a premium plan to access certain analytics features.

Method 3: Excel Method

If you’re comfortable with using Excel or Google Sheets, you can use this method to calculate your public watch hours more efficiently. With this method, you can check your public watch hours for a specific video or a group of videos.

1. Access your channel’s analytics dashboard and download a report of your video data for a specific time range.
2. Open the downloaded CSV file on Excel or Google Sheets.
3. Select the "Video ID" and "Minutes Watched" columns from the report.
4. Use the "SUMIF" formula to calculate the total minutes watched for each video.
5. Multiply the minutes watched by 0.0166667 to convert it into hours.
6. Add up the watch hours for all public videos to get your total public watch hours.

Pros:
– This method offers more flexibility and control in calculating public watch hours.
– You can check the watch hours for specific videos or date ranges.

Cons:
– This method requires Excel or Google Sheets expertise.
– It can be time-consuming when analyzing data for a large number of videos.

Why Can’t I Count Public Watch Hours on YouTube?

1. You have private or unlisted videos on your channel that don’t contribute to public watch hours. Make sure all your videos are set to public to count towards public watch hours.
2. Your videos are not getting enough views or watch time. Focus on creating high-quality content that is engaging and valuable to your audience to increase watch time and views.
3. You don’t have at least 1,000 subscribers on your channel. To be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program, you need to have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months.

Fixes:
1. Change the privacy settings for your videos to public to count towards public watch hours.
2. Focus on content creation and audience engagement to increase views and watch time for your videos.
3. Work on growing your subscriber base by promoting your videos and interacting with your audience.

Implications and Recommendations

Public watch hours play a crucial role in monetizing your YouTube channel, and it’s essential to keep track of your watch hours regularly. By using the methods mentioned above to count your public watch hours, you can stay on top of your channel’s analytics and make informed decisions to grow your audience.

It’s also crucial to note that watch time is a critical factor for the YouTube algorithm, and having higher watch time can boost your video’s search rankings and recommendations. So, focus on creating videos that engage your viewers and keep them watching till the end.

FAQs

Q: Can private or unlisted videos count towards public watch hours on YouTube?

A: No, only public videos count towards public watch hours on YouTube.

Q: How often should I check my public watch hours?

A: It’s recommended to check your public watch hours regularly, at least once a month, to keep track of your channel’s performance.

Q: What happens if I don’t meet the public watch hours requirement for the YouTube Partner Program?

A: If you don’t meet the public watch hours requirement for the YouTube Partner Program, you won’t be able to monetize your videos on the platform.

Q: Can I use third-party tools to check my public watch hours?

A: Yes, several third-party tools can help you check your public watch hours on YouTube.

Q: How can I increase my public watch hours on YouTube?

A: Focus on creating high-quality content that engages your audience and keeps them watching till the end. Additionally, promote your videos on social media, collaborate with other YouTubers, and use relevant and targeted keywords in your video titles and descriptions.

Conclusion

Counting your public watch hours on YouTube is vital for monetizing your channel and growing your audience. By using the methods mentioned above, you can easily calculate your public watch hours and stay on top of your channel’s analytics. Remember, watch time is a crucial factor for the YouTube algorithm, so focus on creating engaging and valuable content that keeps your audience watching till the end.