YouTube is shifting its focus toward promoting short-form content, significantly impacting the visibility of long-form videos. Marcus Jones, a consultant, analyzed data from over 500 channels and found that creators who once averaged around 150,000 views per long-form video are now struggling to reach about 60,000. The homepage layout has also changed dramatically; where users used to see two rows of five long-form videos, they now often encounter just one or two rows, with Shorts taking up most of the screen. This change in distribution is evident across devices, with mobile users seeing an increasing dominance of Shorts upfront. Traffic source data supports this trend, showing that Shorts visibility has doubled since 2024. However, this doesn't mean long-form views are disappearing entirely; they seem to be consolidating among fewer channels. Mario Joos, who has worked with high-profile creators, notes that older Shorts (more than 30 days old) are experiencing steep declines in distribution, shifting focus toward newer content instead. This change targets evergreen videos, which used to maintain consistent performance. AI-generated content is also complicating the landscape. A study found that 278 channels focused solely on AI-generated videos have amassed over 63 billion views. These channels are generating significant revenue, which intensifies competition for recommendation space on YouTube. As creators adapt to these changes, concerns are rising about sustainability. Jones highlights that short-form videos yield lower ad revenue and require higher output, pushing creators toward quantity over quality. This trend could lead to more creators leaving the platform due to the increased effort required for diminishing returns.