YouTube Shorts has hit a new mark that changes the short-video scene. As per YouTube boss Neal Mohan, Shorts now gets more than 200 billion views each day, a figure that puts YouTube far in front of TikTok’s said 1 billion daily views. For TikTok makers watching world trends and wanting for fresh chances to grow or mix things up, these numbers are hard to overlook; especially as lots keep looking for new ways to get TikTok views and followers in a space that’s becoming more tough every year.
Mohan shared the news at th͏e 2025 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, showing how fast the platform has grown. Just a year before, in March 2024, Shorts had about 70 billion views each day. This means that YouTube’s short videos audience grew by 186% in one year; marking one of fastest growths in history of user-made video platforms. Meanwhile, TikTok — still a cultural leader in many niches — lags far behind in sheer volume of daily impressions.
Why YouTube Shorts’ Numbers Have Exploded
Many reasons helpe͏d Shorts grow. First, YouTube made a new way to count views on March 31, 2025, like TikTok’s way. With the new rules, even a quick swipe counts as a view. TikTok has done this for years but YouTube using it means that Shorts videos get seen much quicker than before.
Second, YouTube keeps being the leader for long videos and medium-length content, and that system aids Shorts to do well. Mohan noted that over 1 billion hours of YouTube clips are seen on TV screens every day showing that watchers jump between styles and stay in the YouTube space longer than on other sites.
For makers, this linked system is important. A quick video can lead users to a whole channel, lists of songs, live shows or long videos – something TikTok can’t copy in the same way. This makes Shorts a nice second choice — or even a main place to post — when makers feel stress from TikTok rule changes or algorithm shifts.
TikTok’s Turbulent Year Has Also Played a Role
Political doubt has made a surprise effect. The talks about a TikTok stop in the United States have often pushed makers to look at other sites. Every new change sends waves of folks to Shorts as precaution, raising both uploads and viewer acts.
This change has also caused strange response efforts. In spring 2025, when the matter around TikTok grew stronger again, loyal TikTok users started a web push to “take over YouTube Shorts” ͏by sharing simple or messy content. The effort was for making fun of Shorts and pushing back against the thought of creators moving away. Even with all the fuss, the long-term figures still greatly support YouTube.
Adding to the stress, U.S. leader Donald Trump just said that a “crowd of rich folks” is now trying to buy TikTok’s U.S. jobs! He said that a sale could be announced in two weeks, waiting for an okay from China.
What This Means for TikTok Creators
While TikTok stays a popular force and a change maker, YouTube Shorts’ stats show a big shift in world viewing habits. For makers, this does not mean leaving TikTok — but it means knowing where eyes are going.
Shorts is not just a backup site anymore. With its size, TV-screen coverage, and mix with longer content, YouTube is making a blended viewing space that TikTok finds hard to compete with. For TikTok makers who think far ahead, sharing posts across platforms is changing from being a choice to becoming an important need.
The quick-video game is not finished yet, but the pre͏sent score is clear; YouTube Shorts has jumped to the front, making TikTok rush to keep its lead.
