"I posted a Short, it got 2,000 views in one hour, and then it flatlined. What happened?"
If this sounds familiar, you have just experienced the Seed Audience Test. Unlike long-form videos which rely on Click-Through Rate (CTR), Shorts are fed directly to users. This means YouTube takes 100% of the risk.
To manage this risk, the algorithm uses a "Test, Verify, Exploit" model. Understanding this mechanism is the difference between being stuck in "View Jail" and getting the 10 million views needed for Monetization.
The Golden Rule of 2025
The algorithm does not care about your subscribers. It cares about the Feed. Every Short is auditioning for a spot in a stranger's feed, starting with a test group of 200–2,000 people.
1. Phase 1: The "Seed Audience" (0 - 2,000 Views)
When you click publish, YouTube doesn't show your video to everyone. It selects a "Seed Audience"—a small bucket of viewers who have watched content similar to yours in the past 24 hours.
This is your audition. During this phase, the algorithm is measuring one specific metric above all others: Viewed vs. Swiped Away.
If your video fails the Seed Test, the funnel closes. The views stop instantly. This is why you see the dreaded "flatline" in your analytics graph.
2. The "Viewed vs. Swiped Away" Benchmark
In 2025, YouTube openly displays this metric in Studio. It is the percentage of people who stopped scrolling to watch your video versus those who instantly swiped past it.
The 3-Second Rule: If a viewer swipes away in the first 3 seconds, it counts as a "Swiped Away." If they watch past the 3-second mark, it counts as a "View." This is why your Hook is the single most important part of your Short.
3. Phase 2: Retention & Loops
Let's say 80% of people stop to watch your video. You passed the first test. Now, the algorithm asks: "Did they enjoy it?"
It measures this via Average Percentage Viewed (APV).
- 30-Second Short: Needs >90% APV.
- 60-Second Short: Needs >75% APV.
If a viewer watches your Short twice (200% retention), it sends a massive signal to the algorithm. This is why "Looping Shorts"—where the end of the video seamlessly blends into the start—perform so well.
4. Escaping the "2,000 View Jail"
Many creators get stuck at 2k views because their content is "Good" but not "Broad."
The Problem: Your Seed Audience (your niche) liked the video. But when YouTube tried to push it to a slightly broader audience (Layer 2), they swiped away.
The Fix: You need to make your content accessible to people outside your core niche. If you are a coding channel, don't start with "Here is a Python function." Start with "Stop doing this on your computer." The second hook appeals to everyone, not just coders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting and reposting work?
Rarely. YouTube fingerprints your video file. If you re-upload the exact same file, it is often flagged as spam. If you must repost, re-edit the hook significantly to change the file hash and the viewer experience.
Why did I get 0 views?
Zero views usually means a "Shadow Restriction." This happens if your account is suspected of spam, if you uploaded unoriginal content (like a TikTok with a watermark), or if you posted too many videos in one hour.
Do Likes and Comments matter?
Yes, but they are "Multiplier" metrics, not "Survival" metrics. High retention keeps you alive; high engagement makes you go viral. You cannot have engagement without first having retention.
Conclusion
The YouTube Shorts algorithm is not random; it is ruthless. It is a series of tests designed to protect the viewer's time.
To beat the Seed Audience test, focus entirely on the first 3 seconds of your video. Once you master the hook, the views will follow—and eventually, the revenue. (Curious about the pay? Check our 2025 CPM Guide).