A rep from YouTube reached out to XXL to clarify why Nicki Minaj and Tekashi's "TROLLZ" music video didn't break the record for the hip-hop video with the most views in 24 hours, and it is due to paid advertising views.
The statement reads: "Videos eligible for YouTube’s 24-hour record debuts are those with the highest views from organic sources within the first 24 hours of the video’s public release. This includes direct links to the video, search results, external sites that embed the video and YouTube features like the homepage, watch next, and Trending. Video advertising is an effective way to reach specific audiences with a song debut, but paid advertising views on YouTube will no longer be considered when looking at a 24-hour record debut."
In September 2019, YouTube announced that paid ad views would no longer be counted toward the YouTube Music Charts, and artist rankings will now be determined by "organic plays." Organic sources include "direct links to the video, search results, external sites that embed the video and YouTube features like the homepage, watch next and Trending," according to YouTube. YouTube also concluded that paid-ad views still contribute to view counts outside of the Music Charts and 24-hour record, as paid ad views have always been included as a view. In order for video ads to be counted as views, viewers have to choose not to skip the ad and watch 30 seconds of the video ad, or less if the full ad is shorter.
Source: XXL
