YouTube WILL Hide Public View Count on Videos. This is why this is good thing for 97% of channels

Have you ever skipped a YouTube video simply because it only had 47 views?

Most of us have—and yet that same video might’ve delivered more value, insight, or creativity than one with a million. This instinctive decision-making reveals the power of social proof—and how much we rely on metrics to guide us.

So the question is: Are public view counts helping or hurting the creator ecosystem?And more importantly—should YouTube let us hide them?

YouTube will remove the view count publicly from videos. And this is a GREAT thing for almost everyone.

The Case for Hiding View Counts

Unlike platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, where creators can disable like or view stats, YouTube currently offers no way to hide video views from the public. If creators had that option, it could meaningfully shift the landscape—particularly for new and emerging channels.

1. Leveling the Playing Field for New Creators

A video with low views often gets dismissed before it’s even played. That’s not a reflection of quality—it’s a bias baked into how we interpret popularity.

Removing view counts would force audiences to engage based on merit: the title, thumbnail, and content itself. It would allow smaller creators to compete more equitably with established channels.

2. Supporting Creator Mental Health

Public metrics can be a heavy psychological weight—especially for creators in the early stages of growth. Disappointing view counts can undermine confidence, discourage experimentation, and lead to burnout.

Allowing creators to hide view counts could foster a more sustainable, creative-first approach to content.

YouTube are taking mental health of th creator seriously.

3. Reducing the Incentive for Artificial Inflation

If no one can see view counts, the perceived value of artificially boosting numbers diminishes. This could reduce reliance on view-buying services and bots, ultimately creating a healthier, more authentic video ecosystem.

4. Refocusing on What Really Matters to the Algorithm

YouTube's algorithm doesn’t prioritise views alone. Metrics like watch time, audience retention, and engagement are far more critical.

Removing public views could help creators focus on these deeper metrics—encouraging quality content that actually retains and impacts audiences.

YouTube want GREAT creators, telling stories and tales, not bots or automations.

The Argument for Keeping View Counts Visible

While there are compelling reasons to support the ability to hide view counts, there are also significant advantages to keeping them public.

1. Social Proof Drives Discovery

High view counts act as a form of validation. When we see a video with 100K views, it piques curiosity:

“Why is this so popular?”

That curiosity translates into clicks—and clicks fuel the video’s continued reach.

"Social proof" has been an issue for almost all YouTubers.

2. Helping Viewers Make Informed Choices

When users search for tutorials or advice, view counts offer a quick signal of credibility. Most people will choose the video with the highest views, assuming it’s been vetted by others.

3. View Counts Help Build Authority

Large numbers act as a trust signal—not just to audiences, but to brands, collaborators, and media outlets. A highly viewed video lends immediate credibility and reinforces a creator’s authority in their niche.

4. Transparent Metrics Aid Decision-Making

Public views provide a clear indication of what resonates with an audience. They help creators iterate, strategise, and understand content performance at a glance.

Remember this... 301+ views... For so long it was this as YouTube couldn't keep up with their own data.

So What’s the Right Approach?

Whether view counts should be shown or hidden ultimately depends on the creator’s goals:

• Creators focused on experimentation or mental wellbeing may prefer to disable them.

• Those leveraging social momentum and external credibility may benefit from keeping them visible.

At present, YouTube only allows limited visibility controls:

• You can hide your subscriber count

• You can hide like/dislike counts (dislikes are hidden by default)

There’s currently no way to hide view counts—but perhaps it’s time creators were given that option.

But don't worry, YouTube won't touch the view count in YouTube Studio.

What Do You Think?

Would the ability to hide view counts encourage better content creation—or remove important signals that help users navigate the platform?

We’d love to hear your perspective.

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on LinkedIn.