YouTube Adds First-Frame View Counting, Keeps Old Metric as 'Engaged Views'

YouTube will count a view from the first frame starting August 24, 2026, dropping its 30-second threshold. The old duration-based metric survives as "Engaged views" in YouTube Analytics, letting creators and advertisers separate raw reach from retention. Earnings and Partner Program eligibility are unaffected. TikTok and Instagram already count views on playback start.