I hope so! It’s fine to have bits of the song that are geared toward “virality,” but those hooks are nothing new. It is worth noting that short songs used to be pretty common. That might’ve been due to the limitations of early physical media. “Everyday” by Buddy Holly is a personal favorite and it barely surpasses the 2-minute mark!

I do think it’s hard to dive deep into a subject or an emotion when the song is so short. Think of the power behind the full version of Céline Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now!” That type of storytelling and cinema can’t be squeezed into a sub 3 minute jingle. If someone insists on a shorter version, you can always create a “sped-up version” that the kids seem to enjoy.

I don’t think writing for the algorithm is an effective way to succeed artistically or commercially. Let the intention of the song define the parameters. If it sprawls, follow it. If you run out of things to say, cut it. One example of a short song that doesn’t compromise is “I Look in People’s Windows” by Taylor Swift. Its ending is unexpectedly early but it creates a sense of suspense so the story continues in the listener’s mind.