Pro-Grade Streaming Tools: Best Software & Hardware Reviewed

Best YouTube Live Streaming Software and Hardware You Should Know

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

• Part1.Best Software for Live Streaming Video to YouTube
• Part2.Best Software for Live Streaming Game to YouTube
• Part3.Best Software for Live Streaming Mobile to YouTube
• Part4.Hardware for Live Streaming to YouTube

Best Video Editor for You

Best Software for Live Streaming Video to YouTube

1.OBS:

Price: It is available for free.

OBS or Open Source Broadcaster is a popular recording and live streaming software tool that can be easily operated by all beginners. The best is that you can avail this software tool as an open source so it is possible to customize things as per need.

Key Features:

• It works perfectly on Linux, Mac and Windows.
• Advanced video editing tool with customized transitions.
• Filters, audio mixers, noise suppressor and automatic gain booster added for development of classic videos.
• Users can easily access light and dark themes as per their need.

2. Wirecast Play:

Price:

• Wirecast Play 6: Free/ $9.99
• Wirecast Play Studio 6: $279
• Wirecast Play Pro 6: $549.

Wirecast play allows users to enjoy professional kind of stuff with impressive live recording facilities. Users can easily encode all live streams over multiple platforms or servers.

• The professional version of this software tool allows users to add web stream, Ip cameras and input sources.
• It possesses so many professional level editing features such as advanced audio controls, virtual sets, reply and live scoreboards.
• With its interactive user interface, Wirecast is rated as one of the most useful multicamera type live streaming package.

3. XSplit Broadcaster:

Price: Free and Paid

Here is a simple yet highly powerful live streaming software tool that can produce rich video content with its impressive user interface. It possesses all basic video development tools along with audio support feature. You will be glad to know that Xsplit offers Full HD recording ability; other then this you can access social features, in game annotations, in game production control as well as unique live production features.

Key Features:

• XSplit supports almost all capture cards.
• It possesses so many custom integrations and plugins.
• Easy video editing supported with professional production tools.
• You will be able to access notifications and chat option for organizing uploads in interactive manner.

Best Software for Live Streaming Game to YouTube

1. XSplit Gamecaster:

Price: Free and Paid

If you love gaming then Xsplit can assist you to share your memorable gaming moments on social media sites so that viewers can come to know about your creativity. Xsplit Gamecaster works perfectly with console games as well as on personal computers.

Key Features:

• It extends its support to all latest capture card designs.
• Users can easily switch to webcam mode and background can be easily removed.
• It offers loads of professional quality editing features.
• There are so many customizable integrations and plugins.
• Chat and notification feature supported.

2. Gameshow (Mac/Win):

Price: $29

It is possible to start live streaming within few seconds using your gameshow oftware tool. Gameshow will help you to pick right template, adjust widgets and start streaming content within few seconds. It is possible to stream content directly to all popular social media platforms like Hitbox, YouTube and Twitch.

Key Features:

• It offers multiple layer combinations for development of interactive videos.
• Users will have complete control over scene development.
• It is possible to create playlists using transitions and customized timing effects.
• It works with low CPU usage hence will not affect your device performance.

Best Software for Live Streaming Mobile to YouTube

1. Airserver:

Price: $7.99 to $11.99 only for educational needs, $14.99- Consumer License and $19.99 for Business License.

AirServer is one of the most advanced and interactive screen mirroring type software receiver tools for Xbox, PC and Mac etc. Using this tool, users can easily receive content from chromcast device, Apple TV, Miracast Streams, Google Cast and AirPlay etc.

Key Features:

• It is designed with zero client footprint feature that means everything is just ready for your needs and you will not even need any third party support.
• This software tool enables collaboration between various applications that are working on different platforms.
• It is compatible with Windows, Chrombook and Android platform.
• Comes with retina quality mirroring that can effectively improve picture quality.

2. Wirecast Go (iOS device only):

Price: Free and upgrades demand payment of $5.99 only.

It is possible to stream rich video content from iPhone directly to Youtube using Wirecast platform. Users will be able to stream their interactive videos with effective editing and customization tools like text, replays and graphics etc. This software tool is compatible with iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone.

Key Features:

• One click type YouTube streaming option.
• Unlimited streaming available even for free version users.
• One can easily add graphics, logos and images for stream content.
• It replays all highlights for live broadcasts.

Hardware for Live Streaming to YouTube

1. Elgato Game Capture HD 60:

Price: $179.95 only

Elgato Game Capture HD 60 is well known for its wide range of compatibility, efficiency and set of powerful features that assists in top quality content development. You can develop videos with 1080p resolution at 60fps frame rate using Elgato tool.

Key Features:

• Rich content quality with Full HD video support.
• It can easily record your overlays, webcam, audio and gameplay with additional facility to separate them as per need so that users can access anything upon selection.
• Easy editing functions that assist in direct upload.

2. Webcaster X1 for YouTube:

Price: $329.95 only.

Webcaster allows users to enjoy interactive video uploading experience while offering easy connectivity to DSLR and dedicated Video camera units so that videos can be directly sent to YouTube.

Key Features:

• It offers easy setup options and starts automatically when you pair it up with a device using pairing code.
• This software tool can accept high quality audio content via HDMI inputs.
• It is possible to use advanced configuration options like keyboard, mouse and monitor connectivity for precise live streaming.
• One can easily make selections between Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for content uploading.

Richard Bennett

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

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

• Part1.Best Software for Live Streaming Video to YouTube
• Part2.Best Software for Live Streaming Game to YouTube
• Part3.Best Software for Live Streaming Mobile to YouTube
• Part4.Hardware for Live Streaming to YouTube

Best Video Editor for You

Best Software for Live Streaming Video to YouTube

1.OBS:

Price: It is available for free.

OBS or Open Source Broadcaster is a popular recording and live streaming software tool that can be easily operated by all beginners. The best is that you can avail this software tool as an open source so it is possible to customize things as per need.

Key Features:

• It works perfectly on Linux, Mac and Windows.
• Advanced video editing tool with customized transitions.
• Filters, audio mixers, noise suppressor and automatic gain booster added for development of classic videos.
• Users can easily access light and dark themes as per their need.

2. Wirecast Play:

Price:

• Wirecast Play 6: Free/ $9.99
• Wirecast Play Studio 6: $279
• Wirecast Play Pro 6: $549.

Wirecast play allows users to enjoy professional kind of stuff with impressive live recording facilities. Users can easily encode all live streams over multiple platforms or servers.

• The professional version of this software tool allows users to add web stream, Ip cameras and input sources.
• It possesses so many professional level editing features such as advanced audio controls, virtual sets, reply and live scoreboards.
• With its interactive user interface, Wirecast is rated as one of the most useful multicamera type live streaming package.

3. XSplit Broadcaster:

Price: Free and Paid

Here is a simple yet highly powerful live streaming software tool that can produce rich video content with its impressive user interface. It possesses all basic video development tools along with audio support feature. You will be glad to know that Xsplit offers Full HD recording ability; other then this you can access social features, in game annotations, in game production control as well as unique live production features.

Key Features:

• XSplit supports almost all capture cards.
• It possesses so many custom integrations and plugins.
• Easy video editing supported with professional production tools.
• You will be able to access notifications and chat option for organizing uploads in interactive manner.

Best Software for Live Streaming Game to YouTube

1. XSplit Gamecaster:

Price: Free and Paid

If you love gaming then Xsplit can assist you to share your memorable gaming moments on social media sites so that viewers can come to know about your creativity. Xsplit Gamecaster works perfectly with console games as well as on personal computers.

Key Features:

• It extends its support to all latest capture card designs.
• Users can easily switch to webcam mode and background can be easily removed.
• It offers loads of professional quality editing features.
• There are so many customizable integrations and plugins.
• Chat and notification feature supported.

2. Gameshow (Mac/Win):

Price: $29

It is possible to start live streaming within few seconds using your gameshow oftware tool. Gameshow will help you to pick right template, adjust widgets and start streaming content within few seconds. It is possible to stream content directly to all popular social media platforms like Hitbox, YouTube and Twitch.

Key Features:

• It offers multiple layer combinations for development of interactive videos.
• Users will have complete control over scene development.
• It is possible to create playlists using transitions and customized timing effects.
• It works with low CPU usage hence will not affect your device performance.

Best Software for Live Streaming Mobile to YouTube

1. Airserver:

Price: $7.99 to $11.99 only for educational needs, $14.99- Consumer License and $19.99 for Business License.

AirServer is one of the most advanced and interactive screen mirroring type software receiver tools for Xbox, PC and Mac etc. Using this tool, users can easily receive content from chromcast device, Apple TV, Miracast Streams, Google Cast and AirPlay etc.

Key Features:

• It is designed with zero client footprint feature that means everything is just ready for your needs and you will not even need any third party support.
• This software tool enables collaboration between various applications that are working on different platforms.
• It is compatible with Windows, Chrombook and Android platform.
• Comes with retina quality mirroring that can effectively improve picture quality.

2. Wirecast Go (iOS device only):

Price: Free and upgrades demand payment of $5.99 only.

It is possible to stream rich video content from iPhone directly to Youtube using Wirecast platform. Users will be able to stream their interactive videos with effective editing and customization tools like text, replays and graphics etc. This software tool is compatible with iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone.

Key Features:

• One click type YouTube streaming option.
• Unlimited streaming available even for free version users.
• One can easily add graphics, logos and images for stream content.
• It replays all highlights for live broadcasts.

Hardware for Live Streaming to YouTube

1. Elgato Game Capture HD 60:

Price: $179.95 only

Elgato Game Capture HD 60 is well known for its wide range of compatibility, efficiency and set of powerful features that assists in top quality content development. You can develop videos with 1080p resolution at 60fps frame rate using Elgato tool.

Key Features:

• Rich content quality with Full HD video support.
• It can easily record your overlays, webcam, audio and gameplay with additional facility to separate them as per need so that users can access anything upon selection.
• Easy editing functions that assist in direct upload.

2. Webcaster X1 for YouTube:

Price: $329.95 only.

Webcaster allows users to enjoy interactive video uploading experience while offering easy connectivity to DSLR and dedicated Video camera units so that videos can be directly sent to YouTube.

Key Features:

• It offers easy setup options and starts automatically when you pair it up with a device using pairing code.
• This software tool can accept high quality audio content via HDMI inputs.
• It is possible to use advanced configuration options like keyboard, mouse and monitor connectivity for precise live streaming.
• One can easily make selections between Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for content uploading.

Richard Bennett

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

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

• Part1.Best Software for Live Streaming Video to YouTube
• Part2.Best Software for Live Streaming Game to YouTube
• Part3.Best Software for Live Streaming Mobile to YouTube
• Part4.Hardware for Live Streaming to YouTube

Best Video Editor for You

Best Software for Live Streaming Video to YouTube

1.OBS:

Price: It is available for free.

OBS or Open Source Broadcaster is a popular recording and live streaming software tool that can be easily operated by all beginners. The best is that you can avail this software tool as an open source so it is possible to customize things as per need.

Key Features:

• It works perfectly on Linux, Mac and Windows.
• Advanced video editing tool with customized transitions.
• Filters, audio mixers, noise suppressor and automatic gain booster added for development of classic videos.
• Users can easily access light and dark themes as per their need.

2. Wirecast Play:

Price:

• Wirecast Play 6: Free/ $9.99
• Wirecast Play Studio 6: $279
• Wirecast Play Pro 6: $549.

Wirecast play allows users to enjoy professional kind of stuff with impressive live recording facilities. Users can easily encode all live streams over multiple platforms or servers.

• The professional version of this software tool allows users to add web stream, Ip cameras and input sources.
• It possesses so many professional level editing features such as advanced audio controls, virtual sets, reply and live scoreboards.
• With its interactive user interface, Wirecast is rated as one of the most useful multicamera type live streaming package.

3. XSplit Broadcaster:

Price: Free and Paid

Here is a simple yet highly powerful live streaming software tool that can produce rich video content with its impressive user interface. It possesses all basic video development tools along with audio support feature. You will be glad to know that Xsplit offers Full HD recording ability; other then this you can access social features, in game annotations, in game production control as well as unique live production features.

Key Features:

• XSplit supports almost all capture cards.
• It possesses so many custom integrations and plugins.
• Easy video editing supported with professional production tools.
• You will be able to access notifications and chat option for organizing uploads in interactive manner.

Best Software for Live Streaming Game to YouTube

1. XSplit Gamecaster:

Price: Free and Paid

If you love gaming then Xsplit can assist you to share your memorable gaming moments on social media sites so that viewers can come to know about your creativity. Xsplit Gamecaster works perfectly with console games as well as on personal computers.

Key Features:

• It extends its support to all latest capture card designs.
• Users can easily switch to webcam mode and background can be easily removed.
• It offers loads of professional quality editing features.
• There are so many customizable integrations and plugins.
• Chat and notification feature supported.

2. Gameshow (Mac/Win):

Price: $29

It is possible to start live streaming within few seconds using your gameshow oftware tool. Gameshow will help you to pick right template, adjust widgets and start streaming content within few seconds. It is possible to stream content directly to all popular social media platforms like Hitbox, YouTube and Twitch.

Key Features:

• It offers multiple layer combinations for development of interactive videos.
• Users will have complete control over scene development.
• It is possible to create playlists using transitions and customized timing effects.
• It works with low CPU usage hence will not affect your device performance.

Best Software for Live Streaming Mobile to YouTube

1. Airserver:

Price: $7.99 to $11.99 only for educational needs, $14.99- Consumer License and $19.99 for Business License.

AirServer is one of the most advanced and interactive screen mirroring type software receiver tools for Xbox, PC and Mac etc. Using this tool, users can easily receive content from chromcast device, Apple TV, Miracast Streams, Google Cast and AirPlay etc.

Key Features:

• It is designed with zero client footprint feature that means everything is just ready for your needs and you will not even need any third party support.
• This software tool enables collaboration between various applications that are working on different platforms.
• It is compatible with Windows, Chrombook and Android platform.
• Comes with retina quality mirroring that can effectively improve picture quality.

2. Wirecast Go (iOS device only):

Price: Free and upgrades demand payment of $5.99 only.

It is possible to stream rich video content from iPhone directly to Youtube using Wirecast platform. Users will be able to stream their interactive videos with effective editing and customization tools like text, replays and graphics etc. This software tool is compatible with iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone.

Key Features:

• One click type YouTube streaming option.
• Unlimited streaming available even for free version users.
• One can easily add graphics, logos and images for stream content.
• It replays all highlights for live broadcasts.

Hardware for Live Streaming to YouTube

1. Elgato Game Capture HD 60:

Price: $179.95 only

Elgato Game Capture HD 60 is well known for its wide range of compatibility, efficiency and set of powerful features that assists in top quality content development. You can develop videos with 1080p resolution at 60fps frame rate using Elgato tool.

Key Features:

• Rich content quality with Full HD video support.
• It can easily record your overlays, webcam, audio and gameplay with additional facility to separate them as per need so that users can access anything upon selection.
• Easy editing functions that assist in direct upload.

2. Webcaster X1 for YouTube:

Price: $329.95 only.

Webcaster allows users to enjoy interactive video uploading experience while offering easy connectivity to DSLR and dedicated Video camera units so that videos can be directly sent to YouTube.

Key Features:

• It offers easy setup options and starts automatically when you pair it up with a device using pairing code.
• This software tool can accept high quality audio content via HDMI inputs.
• It is possible to use advanced configuration options like keyboard, mouse and monitor connectivity for precise live streaming.
• One can easily make selections between Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for content uploading.

Richard Bennett

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

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

• Part1.Best Software for Live Streaming Video to YouTube
• Part2.Best Software for Live Streaming Game to YouTube
• Part3.Best Software for Live Streaming Mobile to YouTube
• Part4.Hardware for Live Streaming to YouTube

Best Video Editor for You

Best Software for Live Streaming Video to YouTube

1.OBS:

Price: It is available for free.

OBS or Open Source Broadcaster is a popular recording and live streaming software tool that can be easily operated by all beginners. The best is that you can avail this software tool as an open source so it is possible to customize things as per need.

Key Features:

• It works perfectly on Linux, Mac and Windows.
• Advanced video editing tool with customized transitions.
• Filters, audio mixers, noise suppressor and automatic gain booster added for development of classic videos.
• Users can easily access light and dark themes as per their need.

2. Wirecast Play:

Price:

• Wirecast Play 6: Free/ $9.99
• Wirecast Play Studio 6: $279
• Wirecast Play Pro 6: $549.

Wirecast play allows users to enjoy professional kind of stuff with impressive live recording facilities. Users can easily encode all live streams over multiple platforms or servers.

• The professional version of this software tool allows users to add web stream, Ip cameras and input sources.
• It possesses so many professional level editing features such as advanced audio controls, virtual sets, reply and live scoreboards.
• With its interactive user interface, Wirecast is rated as one of the most useful multicamera type live streaming package.

3. XSplit Broadcaster:

Price: Free and Paid

Here is a simple yet highly powerful live streaming software tool that can produce rich video content with its impressive user interface. It possesses all basic video development tools along with audio support feature. You will be glad to know that Xsplit offers Full HD recording ability; other then this you can access social features, in game annotations, in game production control as well as unique live production features.

Key Features:

• XSplit supports almost all capture cards.
• It possesses so many custom integrations and plugins.
• Easy video editing supported with professional production tools.
• You will be able to access notifications and chat option for organizing uploads in interactive manner.

Best Software for Live Streaming Game to YouTube

1. XSplit Gamecaster:

Price: Free and Paid

If you love gaming then Xsplit can assist you to share your memorable gaming moments on social media sites so that viewers can come to know about your creativity. Xsplit Gamecaster works perfectly with console games as well as on personal computers.

Key Features:

• It extends its support to all latest capture card designs.
• Users can easily switch to webcam mode and background can be easily removed.
• It offers loads of professional quality editing features.
• There are so many customizable integrations and plugins.
• Chat and notification feature supported.

2. Gameshow (Mac/Win):

Price: $29

It is possible to start live streaming within few seconds using your gameshow oftware tool. Gameshow will help you to pick right template, adjust widgets and start streaming content within few seconds. It is possible to stream content directly to all popular social media platforms like Hitbox, YouTube and Twitch.

Key Features:

• It offers multiple layer combinations for development of interactive videos.
• Users will have complete control over scene development.
• It is possible to create playlists using transitions and customized timing effects.
• It works with low CPU usage hence will not affect your device performance.

Best Software for Live Streaming Mobile to YouTube

1. Airserver:

Price: $7.99 to $11.99 only for educational needs, $14.99- Consumer License and $19.99 for Business License.

AirServer is one of the most advanced and interactive screen mirroring type software receiver tools for Xbox, PC and Mac etc. Using this tool, users can easily receive content from chromcast device, Apple TV, Miracast Streams, Google Cast and AirPlay etc.

Key Features:

• It is designed with zero client footprint feature that means everything is just ready for your needs and you will not even need any third party support.
• This software tool enables collaboration between various applications that are working on different platforms.
• It is compatible with Windows, Chrombook and Android platform.
• Comes with retina quality mirroring that can effectively improve picture quality.

2. Wirecast Go (iOS device only):

Price: Free and upgrades demand payment of $5.99 only.

It is possible to stream rich video content from iPhone directly to Youtube using Wirecast platform. Users will be able to stream their interactive videos with effective editing and customization tools like text, replays and graphics etc. This software tool is compatible with iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone.

Key Features:

• One click type YouTube streaming option.
• Unlimited streaming available even for free version users.
• One can easily add graphics, logos and images for stream content.
• It replays all highlights for live broadcasts.

Hardware for Live Streaming to YouTube

1. Elgato Game Capture HD 60:

Price: $179.95 only

Elgato Game Capture HD 60 is well known for its wide range of compatibility, efficiency and set of powerful features that assists in top quality content development. You can develop videos with 1080p resolution at 60fps frame rate using Elgato tool.

Key Features:

• Rich content quality with Full HD video support.
• It can easily record your overlays, webcam, audio and gameplay with additional facility to separate them as per need so that users can access anything upon selection.
• Easy editing functions that assist in direct upload.

2. Webcaster X1 for YouTube:

Price: $329.95 only.

Webcaster allows users to enjoy interactive video uploading experience while offering easy connectivity to DSLR and dedicated Video camera units so that videos can be directly sent to YouTube.

Key Features:

• It offers easy setup options and starts automatically when you pair it up with a device using pairing code.
• This software tool can accept high quality audio content via HDMI inputs.
• It is possible to use advanced configuration options like keyboard, mouse and monitor connectivity for precise live streaming.
• One can easily make selections between Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for content uploading.

Richard Bennett

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

Follow @Richard Bennett

Beyond Simplicity: Exploring the Intricacies of YouTube’s View Count Algorithm

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

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

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.

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

Best YouTube Video Editor - Filmora

After you have created your YouTube channel, do you want to edit videos and upload your first video? Here we recommend using Filmora to easily edit YouTube videos.

You can use Filmora to make YouTube videos with built-in royalty-free audio. Filmora also can help you make YouTube intros. It includes more than 500 templates, transitions, effects, and text resources.

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.

You May Also Like:
5 Tips To Get More Views With YouTube Optimization [Free Checklist] >>

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’.

If you want to engage your audience with cool effects and Filmora is the best choice to make a split-screen and green screen video for YouTubers. Download it now to have a try!

Richard Bennett

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

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

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.

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

Best YouTube Video Editor - Filmora

After you have created your YouTube channel, do you want to edit videos and upload your first video? Here we recommend using Filmora to easily edit YouTube videos.

You can use Filmora to make YouTube videos with built-in royalty-free audio. Filmora also can help you make YouTube intros. It includes more than 500 templates, transitions, effects, and text resources.

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.

You May Also Like:
5 Tips To Get More Views With YouTube Optimization [Free Checklist] >>

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’.

If you want to engage your audience with cool effects and Filmora is the best choice to make a split-screen and green screen video for YouTubers. Download it now to have a try!

Richard Bennett

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

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

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.

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

Best YouTube Video Editor - Filmora

After you have created your YouTube channel, do you want to edit videos and upload your first video? Here we recommend using Filmora to easily edit YouTube videos.

You can use Filmora to make YouTube videos with built-in royalty-free audio. Filmora also can help you make YouTube intros. It includes more than 500 templates, transitions, effects, and text resources.

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.

You May Also Like:
5 Tips To Get More Views With YouTube Optimization [Free Checklist] >>

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’.

If you want to engage your audience with cool effects and Filmora is the best choice to make a split-screen and green screen video for YouTubers. Download it now to have a try!

Richard Bennett

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

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

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.

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

Best YouTube Video Editor - Filmora

After you have created your YouTube channel, do you want to edit videos and upload your first video? Here we recommend using Filmora to easily edit YouTube videos.

You can use Filmora to make YouTube videos with built-in royalty-free audio. Filmora also can help you make YouTube intros. It includes more than 500 templates, transitions, effects, and text resources.

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.

You May Also Like:
5 Tips To Get More Views With YouTube Optimization [Free Checklist] >>

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’.

If you want to engage your audience with cool effects and Filmora is the best choice to make a split-screen and green screen video for YouTubers. Download it now to have a try!

Richard Bennett

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

Follow @Richard Bennett