Does the YouTube algorithm favor videos with longer or shorter descriptions?

The length of video descriptions itself doesn't directly impact how the YouTube algorithm ranks or recommends videos. Instead, the algorithm primarily focuses on factors like viewer engagement, watch time, relevance, and overall user satisfaction when determining the visibility of videos.

That said, video descriptions can still play a role in helping the algorithm understand the content of a video and its relevance to users. Here's how:

1. **Relevance**: A well-written video description that accurately reflects the content of the video can improve its relevance to users' search queries. Including relevant keywords and phrases in the description can help the algorithm understand what the video is about and increase the likelihood of it being surfaced in relevant searches.

2. **Contextual Information**: Video descriptions can provide additional context or information about the video, such as a summary of the content, links to related resources, or timestamps for different sections of the video. This information can enhance the user experience and encourage viewers to engage with the video for longer periods.

3. **Keywords and Metadata**: YouTube's algorithm considers the metadata associated with a video, including the title, tags, and description, when determining its relevance to users' searches. Including relevant keywords in the description can improve the video's visibility in search results and recommendations.

While there's no specific length requirement for video descriptions, it's generally recommended to provide enough information to accurately describe the content of the video without being overly verbose. This ensures that viewers have a clear understanding of what to expect and helps the algorithm match the video with users who are likely to find it valuable. Ultimately, the quality and relevance of the content itself, rather than the length of the description, are the most important factors in determining a video's success on YouTube.