Recent research analyzing millions of videos across major platforms reveals differing video content strategies and engagement patterns as YouTube and TikTok continue to develop their offerings.
An analysis of 3.5 million videos by team5pm’s tech platform, topictree, found that 21.2% of YouTube videos ranking in top search results over the past six months are under 30 seconds, reflecting the platform’s increasing adaptation to short-form video demand following the introduction of YouTube Shorts.
The platform maintains strong representation across multiple duration categories, with long-form content (15+ minutes) holding steady at approximately 20% of ranking videos. Mid-length content between 2-8 minutes has experienced the most significant decline, with videos in the 3-5 minute range particularly affected following YouTube Shorts’ 2020 introduction.
Image source: topictree
This diversification coincides with YouTube’s dominant position among younger viewers. According to a recent Precise TV report, YouTube commands 78% of viewership among U.S. children aged 2-12, with 76% of respondents listing it among their top three preferred media platforms.
Despite TikTok’s introduction of support for videos up to 60 minutes, the platform remains predominantly short-form focused. Topictree’s analysis shows over 55% of TikTok videos ranking in search results during the past six months are under 30 seconds long.
Videos exceeding two minutes continue to struggle for prominence in TikTok’s rankings, with content beyond the five-minute mark showing minimal presence. Long-form videos are essentially non-existent beyond the 12-15 minute threshold on the platform.
Engagement Patterns Reveal Platform Distinctions
The research identified a contrast in engagement patterns between platforms. TikTok demonstrates consistent engagement metrics across all video durations, with 30-second clips receiving similar interaction rates as 10-minute videos.
Image source: topictree
YouTube’s engagement metrics show significantly more variation based on video duration, type, and age. This fluctuation aligns with YouTube’s more diverse content ecosystem and keyword-driven discovery model compared to TikTok’s algorithm-driven content distribution.
Image source: topictree
YouTube Shorts, which recently tripled its maximum length, has seen substantial growth, with Precise TV reporting a 32% year-on-year increase in YouTube Shorts consumption among Gen Alpha viewers, now reaching 49% of this demographic.
For marketers and content creators, topictree’s research suggests platform selection should align with specific content goals. YouTube offers comprehensive support for diverse content lengths, while TikTok provides consistent engagement metrics regardless of video duration, provided the content meets algorithmic requirements for reaching intended audiences.
Recent research analyzing millions of videos across major platforms reveals differing video content strategies and engagement patterns as YouTube and TikTok continue to develop their offerings.
An analysis of 3.5 million videos by team5pm’s tech platform, topictree, found that 21.2% of YouTube videos ranking in top search results over the past six months are under 30 seconds, reflecting the platform’s increasing adaptation to short-form video demand following the introduction of YouTube Shorts.
The platform maintains strong representation across multiple duration categories, with long-form content (15+ minutes) holding steady at approximately 20% of ranking videos. Mid-length content between 2-8 minutes has experienced the most significant decline, with videos in the 3-5 minute range particularly affected following YouTube Shorts’ 2020 introduction.
Image source: topictree
This diversification coincides with YouTube’s dominant position among younger viewers. According to a recent Precise TV report, YouTube commands 78% of viewership among U.S. children aged 2-12, with 76% of respondents listing it among their top three preferred media platforms.
Despite TikTok’s introduction of support for videos up to 60 minutes, the platform remains predominantly short-form focused. Topictree’s analysis shows over 55% of TikTok videos ranking in search results during the past six months are under 30 seconds long.
Videos exceeding two minutes continue to struggle for prominence in TikTok’s rankings, with content beyond the five-minute mark showing minimal presence. Long-form videos are essentially non-existent beyond the 12-15 minute threshold on the platform.
Engagement Patterns Reveal Platform Distinctions
The research identified a contrast in engagement patterns between platforms. TikTok demonstrates consistent engagement metrics across all video durations, with 30-second clips receiving similar interaction rates as 10-minute videos.
Image source: topictree
YouTube’s engagement metrics show significantly more variation based on video duration, type, and age. This fluctuation aligns with YouTube’s more diverse content ecosystem and keyword-driven discovery model compared to TikTok’s algorithm-driven content distribution.
Image source: topictree
YouTube Shorts, which recently tripled its maximum length, has seen substantial growth, with Precise TV reporting a 32% year-on-year increase in YouTube Shorts consumption among Gen Alpha viewers, now reaching 49% of this demographic.
For marketers and content creators, topictree’s research suggests platform selection should align with specific content goals. YouTube offers comprehensive support for diverse content lengths, while TikTok provides consistent engagement metrics regardless of video duration, provided the content meets algorithmic requirements for reaching intended audiences.
The full findings are available here.